Alternator Intermittently Charges the Battery

[Peter Golledge]

Christopher,

Possibly the slip rings the brushes run against are pitted/too worn and the
connection is intermittent as a result. Also possible to have bad diodes
and/or bad solder joints on diodes.  If you are keen you can pull the alt
apart and check everything manually, it is possible to install new slip
rings, replace diodes but most folk just replace the alt.  If you do decide
to pull apart put new bearings in while in there.

On Wed, May 4, 2016 at 7:51 AM, Christopher Gharibo <cgharibo at usa.net>
wrote:

> Here is an update to my CQ's alternator not charging. I replaced the
> voltage
> regulator and the alternator started charging again right after. However,
> since the alternator alternates between charging and not charging despite
> the
> brand new VR. The belt is taut.
>
> What do I do now, swap the alternator?
>
> Thanks.
>
> ------ Original Message ------
> Received: Sat, 30 Apr 2016 11:10:00 PM EDT
> From: "Christopher Gharibo" <cgharibo at usa.net>
> To: "20V List" <20v at lists.20v.org>, <quattro at audifans.com>
> Subject: Re: Alternator Intermittently Charges the Battery
>
> > Changing a 6 month old voltage regulator fixed the problem. The two
> brushes
> > were 1/3 and 1/2 worn.
> >
> > Why does the alternator stop charging with plenty of brush left?
> >
> > ------ Original Message ------
> > Received: Sat, 30 Apr 2016 08:52:07 PM EDT
> > From: "Doyt W.  Echelberger" <doyt at buckeye-express.com>
> > To: Christopher Gharibo <cgharibo at usa.net>
> > Subject: Re: Alternator Intermittently Charges the Battery
> >
> > > Replace voltage regulator
> > >
> > >
> > > At 08:19 PM 4/30/2016, you wrote:
> > > >Another issue on the '91 CQ: the alternator will stop recharging the
> > > >battery intermittently. The voltage will drop from 13 to 10V and the
> > > >battery light will come on and the car will run on battery power.
> > > >The alternator brushes are almost-new and the belt is tight. The
> > > >alternator is about 15 years old. What's the next step? New
> > > >alternator? Thank you. CG
> > > >_______________________________________________ quattro mailing list
> > > >http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/quattro
> > > >http://www.audifans.com/kb/List_information
> > >
> >
> >
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> quattro mailing list
> http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/quattro
> http://www.audifans.com/kb/List_information
>