Alternator ailments

[Kurt Deschler]

Kneale,

I would definitely check the exciter wire at the splice near the RF 
headlight. On both of my T44s, I replaced this with a solid weatherprof
crimp. Also measure voltage on the alternator ans starter posts. One of my 
cars had a large drop across these cables and I ended up replacing the one 
from the alternator to the starter. Cleaning the terminal connections may 
help also.

 	-Kurt

> Message: 4
> Date: Tue, 26 Jun 2007 13:59:11 -0700 (PDT)
> From: Kneale Brownson <knealeski at sbcglobal.net>
> Subject: Alternator ailments
> To: 200q20v at audifans.com, v8 at audifans.com, quattro at audifans.com
> Message-ID: <447319.92447.qm at web83106.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
>
> Finally got a chance to test my charging system that started acting up while we were in Columbus, OH, over the weekend but managed to get us home.
>
>  With the engine off, the battery reads 12.5 volts.  Same reading for the positive terminal post under the hood.
>
>  With the engine running at idle (voltmeter in car reading ~12), the reading with my multimeter is 12.17 at both the battery and the jump post.  I presume that means the regulator ain't regulating properly, but the dreaded wiring "weld" in the passenger footwell is passing on its voltage without any resistance.
>
>  Is it possible the "exciter" circuit (blue wire) would be the culprit?