[Vwdiesel] TDI Dash/voltage regulator

[Lee Hillsgrove]

>Just lost my dash the other day.  Old Pepboys battery the previous
>owner put in finally died during a cold morning start.  The dash went
>with the battery.
>
>The dash has been acting funny during cold morning starts.  During
>cracking it will go dead...gages will buz around...trip and clock will
>reset...  When the car starts gages will come back.



  Ouch... The dreaded Passat IP failure. It's a design flaw with the voltage
regulation in the IP. If you do a search on the TDIclub you will find reams
of info on this affliction.

People! If your Passat gauges start acting funny, Run! Don't walk, to the
nearest battery store and get the biggest and best thing that will fit in
there. Your IP was crying out for help.....

Bad thing is, these are no longer available new from VW. You MIGHT be able
to get a rebuilt one. I remember reading a thread on the TDIclub about
getting them repaired by an electronics tech. Do a search and you should be
able to find the info.


>
>My guess is that my regulator is bad...in fact just after starting I
>get ~11volts if I rev. the engine it bumps up and stays at 14 volts.



  Hmm.... I don't have a Passat but my '98 Jetta TDI comes right up without
bumping the revs. The '85 1.6D on the other hand, requires better than 2000
rpm or so before the alternator comes on line.
Is your belt tight? I think it's a serpentine, so it probably is. Is this
read right at the battery, or on the voltmeter in the dash? Might be related
to the rest of the problems if it's the car's you're reading. Best get a
voltmeter on the battery to make sure if you haven't already.

Loren? What's your dad's behave like on a cold start?


  Lee
  Oo-v-oO
  PP-ASEL
  KB1GNI