86 coupe losing power

[Huw Powell]

> I have recently replaced the battery and alternator. Due to rarely
> driving the car, I will start it up to run for a while.  Yesterday,
> started it, it ran for about 15 minutes and then I noticed the engine
> starting to struggle and the digital dash had gone blank.  When I revved
> the engine, the dash came back on and I noticed the volt guage increase
> at a rapid pace up to the normal level.  I took the car out for a spin
> and it runs fine.

At idle you often won't get any useful charging action - and you're not 
really supposed to let these things sit and idle anyway.  I'm not sur 
eif this is due to the regulator not quite kicking in, or perhaps in 
your case (new alt.) the belt is not quite grabbing at idle.  I'd 
suggest that in place of your 15 minutes of idling, you take it out for 
a drive.  The higher revs should help keep the charge up on the battery. 
  You definitely want to get the engine and exhaust heated up properly, 
or you'll rot your exhaust out with condensed combustion products.

You might also invest in an appropriate trickle charger to keep the 
battery happy between runs.

-- 
Huw Powell

http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi

http://www.humanthoughts.org/