[s-cars] Alternator Cable (was: Dead deer)

[Wayne Dohnal]

Bob,

This sounds to me like it's the cable that connects the alternator to the
starter.  There's only one big wire in the tube.  The risk would be if the
tube were damaged and pierced the insulation, or if the insulation were
pierced where the wire enters and exits the tube, there could be major
sparks flying because this is a big-wire, unfused circuit.  When I worked on
mine I noticed that the subframe floats electrically, so even if the wire
were shorted to the tube (mine was) there might not be any fireworks, but I
wouldn't want to take the chance.  When I bought my car the tube had been
ripped off and kinked.  I straightened it out and fished a generic
replacement battery cable through it.  I'm glad I did because the insulation
on the wire had been seriously breached where the tube was kinked.  I would
imagine you can buy a replacement wire and tube a$$embly from Audi.  Back
when I was working on it I made a bunch of inquiries to the list about this
part and the lack of responses led me to conclude that it's something that
people just don't have any problems with.


Wayne Dohnal
1994 S4


Hi Y'all,

Hit a deer this evening in my urS65.  Fortunately, the deer was already
dead when I hit it and went over it kawhump!  Damn I need better
lighting!  I was following and preparing to pass an 18 wheeler at 70+
mph.  He drove right over the top of the deer.  I didn't see it until I was
almost on top of it.  Very little damage was done.  A couple of scrapes
underneath the front bumper virtually indistinguishable from the parking
block scratches already there and a bit of deer hair hanging from a hose
clamp for the Michelin Man hose.

There is one item I need help identifying, though.  An electrical cable of
some sort connects to a sensor (temperature maybe?) on the left (viewed
from the driver's seat) side of the engine near cylinder #1.  The cable
passes down into a metal tube which provides some apparent road hazard
protection for the cable and then back up to the other side of the engine
where it disappears until I can get the car on a lift and search more
closely.  The metal tube fastens into the subframe (? not sure if it's the
subframe or not, shoulda looked closer) behind the lower strut
brace/torsion bar.  This is the same piece the bar bracket bolts to.  The
brackets for this tube were wiped out as the deer passed under the car.

Other than the impact there was no indication of anything being wrong.  No
lights came on.  No gauges acted up.  No changes in handling or ride or
anything else.  The wiring seems to be intact but the tube "protector" was
hanging down when I got enough light to see under the car.  It is
jerry-rigged back more or less into its proper position until proper
repairs can be made.  The car is easily driveable.

Now, my question: what is that electrical loom and what does it do?  Does
anyone have a replacement piece for sale?


Bob