My trusty stead failed me last night :(

[Beatty, Robert]

Last night wasnt a good night up here in New England.  The wife came up for
a doctors appointment here at the hospital and we decided to leave her car
at the hospital cause of the snow and her cars lack of decent tires.
Started driving home at about 4pm in the snowstorm, looking forward to yet
another adventure with my 5ktq  in the snow.  Well traffic was just plain
horrible, bunch of morons at a light about a mile away kept blocking the
intersection when the light would turn red for them.  Took nearly 45 minutes
to drive about 3 miles.  Just started getting to the less traffic areas and
auto check gave me a battery warning.  I quickly turn off the heater, radio,
rear defroster and go to delay on the wipers.  Check the voltage on the
climate control and its 10.9.  This isnt good.  There is also a burning
smell of insulation, which my wife is insisting is the battery.  Pull over
at the very next gas station about 1/4 mile away and get under as much cover
as I can, and pop the hood.  Smell is stronger now, looking at the
alternator, its not wet and the belt is definatly not slipping.  Try to get
my dad on the phone before the car dies at about 9v to try and troubleshoot
some more.  Car dies before I reach dad.  He suggests its the belt, I
disagree thinking its the alt as its got a new regulator installed less than
6 months ago.  Dad offers the spare alternators he has if i can come get
them.  End up pulling the alternator in mid 20 degree weather with 20-40 mph
gusts blowing snow.  Was not something I want to do again.  Thank god turbos
are warm and the 5ktq alt is an easy removal, only 2 bolts.  Still took me
close to an hour to pull it.  Picking it up its got a definate burning smell
coming from it.  Great, burned diodes probably.  Get ride from friend and
pick up previously mentioned wifes car (94 hyundai excel) and drive it home
in a blinding snowstorm.  Not so much fun when its not the quattro :(.  So
at some point this afternoon, i hope to get a replacement alternator from
dad and do the install and HOPEFULLY things will be all better.  I was so
bummed cause i wanted to go play in the snow last night with my car too :(

Rob