Alternator, Help List, Thermoswitch & Bomb

["Al Powell" <APOWELL@agcom.tamu.edu>]

1)  Albert Ng has alternator problems and was counseling another list 
member - [snip]

> because I really don't know how to deal with it. Maybe the $350 one is 
> the real thing huh !
> 
> SO, plaease be careful if you really want to change the alternator, or 
> may be you could try to replace the regulator first.
> 
Albert, I'd think you should contact your alternator source and ask 
them to supply one that works!  Sounds like the wrong part - or 
malfunctioning components.  At any rate, you should not accept this 
problem without asking for a part replacement.

2)  About linking the helplist to mambership - I like the idea, but 
the point was made that some of us (ME included) only occasionally 
subscribe to the Quattro list; I'm a digest subscriber to keep the 
incoming volume down (unless I have a hot problem and want responses 
fast...).  Can the help list be linked to BOTH Quattro and Digest 
lists?


3)  About the non-running radiator fan:

> >I have a problem with my 87 5kcst radiator fan doesn't run after the 
> >engine turn off, even in very high temp, I know there is a thermoswitch where 
> 
> Whoops! Does this mean my 86 5kcs radiator fan is supposed to continue to
> run even AFTER the ignition is off?  Someone please enlighten me.
> Joel

Your fan should be able to run as needed after the ignition goes off, 
but not continually - it's thermally controlled.  My '84 5KT had a 
problem with the thermoswitch and I never did get it right.  NOTE: in 
the 5K series (which years, I'm not sure) there is a flat metal bar, 
perhaps 3" wide by 8" long, with three electrical connections mounted 
in front (I think) of the radiator under the shroud.  I believe that 
at least one of the radiator thermoswitches is contained in this bar. 
I think there is another, as well, because replacing this metal 
bar did not enable the fan to run.  Rats.  (Hey, I haven't messed with 
this item in about four years...anyone else remember this item and 
perhaps can add detail??)


4)  About the gent with the bad "bomb" but waiting it out, and who 
says he feels pulsations through his steering:

> You're feeling the individual pressure pulses from the pumping 
> action of the hydrl. pump (it's got pistons in it). You feel them 
> because there's not enough operating pressure/reserve to "buffer" 
> them.

I heard more about this today, because I'm still messing with a 
hydraulic problem.  My local Audi mechanic says that the primary 
reason for the "bomb" is to smooth out the pulses from the hydraulic 
pump, and that when the bombs lose their nitrogen pressure, he 
usually CAN feel pulsations through the brake pedal.  This is not 
mentioned anywhere in the Bentley manual, but may be valuable to 
members of this list as one indicator of the dreaded and too-frequent 
"bomb failure".  Hope this helps someone diagnose a problem.

I have more to say about my hydraulics - but will post separately. 
********** A Washington State Cougar in Aggieland (aTm) **********

Al Powell                           Voice:  409/845-2807
Ag Communications                   Fax:    409/862-1202
107 Reed McDonald Bldg.             Email:  a-powell1@tamu.edu 
College Station, TX  77843-2112
W3 page - http://agcomwww.tamu.edu/agcom/rpe/alpage.htm

"There are two kinds of truth.  There are real truths and made-up 
                    truths."   (Marion Berry)
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