electrical charging problem solved - Who done it?

[James at ringsperformance.com]

> I reasoned that the AC compressor should not hinder the
> performance of the alternator because it is driven from the crankshaft
> with its own pulley.

However, Audi was smarter than you (and nearly every other car maker), and
makes the fan run on "low" any time the climate control is engaged on any
setting but "econ." Even at 0 deg (compressor won't run anyway), key on with
the engine off. Sadly, at highway speeds the airflow through the condenser
is probably plenty for AC operation, but the fan runs anyway (at least a DC
brush motor draws less current when it is being "helped" like that).

cu, James Marriott
'84 4kq beater, 217k, for sale (BUY IT!)
'87 4kq (alias "late-B2 90q") with rare ersatz NG engine, 184k
'89 200q (MC1, ProconTen/no bag, 1.8 blah blah), 142k
Boise, ID, USA     http://www.webpak.net/~marriott/
www.ringsperformance.com