My 2002 max.lost power and died due to low battery voltage Told I needed to replace alternator
Will cut a long story short. It turned out to be a poor connection at the plug that goes into alternator beside the main cable connection This will cause the alternator to stop charging and not let the battery warning lite activate
I removed and cleaned the connector with contact cleaner now everything is ok
I found this out by following the diagnostic procedure 1 in the charging system section of the electrical FSM
Hope this helps some of you to avoid wasting money on unnecessary replacing an alternator

ps prior to this I had experienced the battery light sometimes flickering when driving

 

Yeah this is sort of common sense but it is awesome to see a new user post something a little useful!

A couple of weeks ago the same thing happened on my 04 passat. Mechanic wanted $800 to R/R. I took it out and the plug snapped. $50 later all was well.

 

Such a common mistake! No one thinks to check the wiring and fuses, everyone just points at the component.

NICE WORK dude.

 

it would have been very easy to assume it was the alternator, good catch.