[s-cars] Alternator Musings

[Brian Powell]

Dave,

Coming home today, the meter was a little above where it can get to,
but it was well below the 13.7V mark. Once I get home, I pulled out
the alternator and checked the reading as the AC was running and it
was 13.7V coming out of the alternator.

So, the question is: is there a problem? Like Rokas, when it is acting
this way, I can sometimes get lights to dim and other symptoms of low
system voltage even though the alternator is pumping out 13.7V...

On 7/13/05, djdawson2 at aol.com <djdawson2 at aol.com> wrote:
> 
>  
> Don't ever... ever.. EVER... trust an Audi voltmeter.  If you want to see
> where you really stand, measure the output at the alternator iteself. 
> Dave  
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Rokas Reipa <quattrorokas at gmail.com>
> To: Brian Powell <powellb at gmail.com>
> Cc: s-car-list at audifans.com
> Sent: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 11:01:06 -0400
> Subject: Re: [s-cars] Alternator Musings
> 
>  
> I am having the same problem. In fact, headlights + A/C when it's 90F+
> cause the voltmeter to eventually show almost exactly 12 volts. Trying
> to operate the windows at that point briefly causes it to dip below
> 12. This is when sitting in traffic but even at highway speeds, the
> voltage is barely above 12v, when a/c and headlights are on. The
> battery light never comes on however, and I've never had starting
> issues. When the voltage is around 12v, dash lights get dim, etc. Are
> brushes/regulator the culprit? TIA
> 
> Rokas
> 95.5 S6
> 
> 
>  


-- 
Cheers,
Brian