Re: Bad bad weekend...help!!!

[Mike Loeks <neanderthal@ardvark.com>]

At 08:49 PM 5/11/96 -0500, you wrote:
>
>Hi again all.  Bad thing happened today.
> 
>Was driving from Saratoga (NY) to NYC and about halfway back I saw a
>warning symbol come on.  Having just bought the car used without the
>manual, I didn't know what it meanbt, but all the gauges looked fine.  It
>looked like this:
>
>		  ...   ...
>		 .   . .   .
>		.     .     .
>		.    I.I    .
>		    / .\
>		   /  . \
>		  I   .  I
>		  I	 I
>		  I/\/\/\I
>		  |______I
>			
>Anyway, this was on and I stopped at the nearest garage (I was in the
>middle of nowhere) and had the mechanic check it out.  He wasn't familiar
>with Audis but thought it might be an oil or radiator warning.  He checked
>and everything looked ok.  I drove the rest of the way watching the gauges
>carefully.  Just as I was pulling up to park, The warning stasrted
>alternating with a battery symbol, and the voltmeter dropped to about 3 or
>4.  
>
>What happened?  What does that symbol mean?  Is my alternator history?
>Anyone have any ideas on whats going on---and what the $ damage is??? 
>
>All help appreciated!!
>
>Mike   :(
>
>
>
Mike,
  The symbol looks like the low windshield washer fluid warning light to me.
What color is the background?  What car is it? Does the the voltmeter read
low even when the engine is revved up a little?  If the alternator is not
putting out, most common failure in my experience has been brushes.  The
regulator and brush assembly is screwed to the back of the alternator with
two screws.  Cost is pretty low, I think I paid about $30.00 last time I
replaced one.  Without any more info, that would be my guess.
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               Michael Loeks
               '86 5kcstq - Red w/ Fuchs/D60A2 wheels 1.8 bar boost
               '86 5kcstq - Grey w/ stock wheels/Comp T/A HR4 1.8 bar boost
               '84 Ford F350 dually flatbed(NOW we're talking utility)
               Warren, Oregon


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