trainwrex Report post Posted September 19, 2017 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 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Assman Report post Posted September 19, 2017 Could be just the battery itself too? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rouleur Report post Posted September 19, 2017 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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trainwrex Report post Posted September 19, 2017 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? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trainwrex Report post Posted September 19, 2017 Could be just the battery itself too? i bought and installed a brand new battery and the same thing has occurred in regards to voltage. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cclassics Report post Posted September 19, 2017 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 - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chipster Report post Posted September 19, 2017 Unlikely that it would be belt as other things would start happening too. Sounds like alternator. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
djantlive Report post Posted September 19, 2017 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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trainwrex Report post Posted September 19, 2017 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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digibeam Report post Posted September 21, 2017 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 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trainwrex Report post Posted September 22, 2017 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? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digibeam Report post Posted September 22, 2017 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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trainwrex Report post Posted September 26, 2017 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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trainwrex Report post Posted September 30, 2017 i replace the fuse took not even a couple of minutes and it fixed the problem. Thanks for the advice much appreciated Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chipster Report post Posted October 1, 2017 That's good news. Always best to start with the simplest and cheapest troubleshooting steps. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digibeam Report post Posted October 2, 2017 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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank-Goodson Report post Posted October 3, 2017 It's always something small and cheap. Glad it didn't cost you much. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trainwrex Report post Posted October 27, 2017 Yes lucky it was a small fix. thanks again Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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