Jump to content

Alternator not working?


trainwrex
 Share

Recommended Posts

Hi Guys,

 

I was away on holidays and my ctek some how came up with an error so the LP battery went flat, charged it up again and then took the car out. No issues at all.

 

Took the car out the next day started fine but got 15 mins into journey and the abs light came on followed by the airbag and the dash started to flicker. I looked at the volts and it was reading around 9. I got another 500m ahead and the car stopped in the middle of the road at a set of traffic lights.

 

Got a jump with a battery pack, car went another 500m and stopped again.

 

I had to get a tow back and got a new battery just in case. Installed it and the volts went from 11.9 to around 11.3 with a 10 min ride. This to me tells me it could be the alternator or belt? Any advice as to what to do or what it could be? Has anyone replaced their alternator or got a link to a DIY?

 

Cheers Tino

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Do you have a battery tender, or a battery charger? Most battery charges can be purchased pretty inexpensively, and they almost all have an alternator check function. Most wont tell you the voltage, but will tell you if it is pushing the right amount with an indicator light. Its an easy thing to check. It sounds like that is the culprit, especially since you said you changed the battery and it was beginning to go flat.

 

 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Do you have a battery tender, or a battery charger? Most battery charges can be purchased pretty inexpensively, and they almost all have an alternator check function. Most wont tell you the voltage, but will tell you if it is pushing the right amount with an indicator light. Its an easy thing to check. It sounds like that is the culprit, especially since you said you changed the battery and it was beginning to go flat.

 

 

I have a cteck trickle charger, im not sure of an alternator function i will into it.

 

On the LP dash i can see the voltage, when the car is running the voltage should be ~13.5V asfaik? If its lower than this does it mean that the alternator isnt working? If thats the case then would that mean the alternator is stuffed or the belt that attaches to it?

 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

voltage should definitely be 13+ volts when running-- mine will usually say 13.6 up to 14.. and 12.5 or so in the morning when cranking to start

 

you can buy cheapo cigarette lighter test pieces for prob $15.. they will show charging if your not mechanically inclined--

 

but everyone should own a basic $5 to $10 VOM- volt ohm meter-- i even keep one in the kitchen drawer to test batteries in remotes before replacing- and check new ones prior to install-

 

if you had that you could put the probes on the batt terminals and see voltage changes -

also most battery shops will test your charging system for free -

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It could be poor connection - check ground cables, battery terminals.

 

Belt should be checked for tension and any wear.

 

Lastly, it would be the alternator. It is an Audi part so not too bad.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks guys im pretty sure its the alternator, belt looks fine. I plugged in to the cigarette lighter a device that tells you the output of the battery and the alternator. The alternator side was not working at all.

 

Looks like its the alternator.

 

Has anyone got a DIY to remove and replace the alternator? Also links for costs of a replacement.

 

 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Have you checked the mega fuse? It is between the alternator and the battery... If that is blown then the alternator can not charge the battery

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Have you checked the mega fuse? It is between the alternator and the battery... If that is blown then the alternator can not charge the battery

 

Interesting, do you have a location where that would be? Could very well be a possibility.

 

https://docs.google.com/viewerng/viewer?url...df&hl=en_US

 

Actually does the above document show the location?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yes, the mega fuse just below the shutoff, there is a second one for the starter motor behind the firewall on the driver side rear near the battery also.

But this one shown is the fellow I am referring to.

They are usually exposed and a momentary short while boosting a battery would be enough to take it out.

I am hoping this is your issue and not an alternator, and even then, it would probably be the diode pack in the alternator and not the entire unit.

A dead or incredibly low voltage battery should always be disengaged from the car and charged, if you boost to start and then expect the alternator to charge the battery it will overload the diodes in the alternator.

Not to state what could be common knowledge, but just in case it's an oversight, doesn't hurt to put it out there.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yes, the mega fuse just below the shutoff, there is a second one for the starter motor behind the firewall on the driver side rear near the battery also.

But this one shown is the fellow I am referring to.

They are usually exposed and a momentary short while boosting a battery would be enough to take it out.

I am hoping this is your issue and not an alternator, and even then, it would probably be the diode pack in the alternator and not the entire unit.

A dead or incredibly low voltage battery should always be disengaged from the car and charged, if you boost to start and then expect the alternator to charge the battery it will overload the diodes in the alternator.

Not to state what could be common knowledge, but just in case it's an oversight, doesn't hurt to put it out there.

 

 

Thanks mate, i have ordered a fuse from my dealer and once that arrives ill install and update.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Glad to hear it and to help out, I would have felt bad had you gone ahead and replaced the alternator only to suffer the same fate as the battery replacement.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...