90Q charging system issues - three control lights faintly on

[Joshua Van Tol]

Possibly, although he mentioned a new (probably rebuilt) alternator. Usually
with a rebuilt, they replace the regulator, brushes, and bearings, and
inspect the rest. The diodes usually aren't replaced, but should be.

Josh

On Sun, May 22, 2011 at 10:06 PM, Huw Powell <audi at humanspeakers.com> wrote:

>
>
> On 5/22/2011 10:36 PM, Joshua van Tol wrote:
>
>> The slightly glowing idiot lights usually indicate a failed diode in the
>> alternator. If you have a multi-meter with an AC volts setting, put that on
>> the battery while the car is running, and see what sort of AC voltage you've
>> got. If it's more than a couple hundred milli-volts, it's probably a shorted
>> diode. This will often also cause the battery to discharge while the car is
>> off.
>>
>
> Or just a broken alternator belt, worn out brushes, or a crap blue exciter
> wire/connection.
>
>
>  On May 22, 2011, at 11:21 AM, radek at istar.ca wrote:
>>
>>  Tried to drive my son's car this morning and voilà:  three idiot lights
>>> light up very slightly when the car is started:  charging, handbrake and
>>> brake pad usage (looks like two drum brake pads with an exclamation sign in
>>> the middle, I didn't know 90Q had a provision for brake pad usage light).
>>>  Voltage on centre console showing below 12V.
>>>
>>> Where to start:  instrument cluster, the trunk (no reverse light and no
>>> plate light, wires must be broken)?  I wonder if a short somewhere would
>>> prevent the alternator from charging fully, in other words, would the drain
>>> take all of alternator's power?
>>>
>>> Car got a brand new alternator a year ago.
>>> TIA.
>>> Radek.
>>>
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