Paul Hill's problum

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

hill@wrksys.enet.dec.com (Paul Hill 223-2154) said:

[most of his tale of woe deleted - let's stop wasting the bandwidth, guys...)

> This morning I checked channel 11 again and it read 10.2 volts and there is no
> oil warning symbol, so I tried the starter.  Fired right up but ran rough with 
> low tick over speed.  If I held the throttle to get 2000 rpm it smoothed out.
> Now low battery symbol came up on the display.  At no time did the red ignition
> light stay on with the engine running, so I assume the alternator is not 
> totally dead.
> 
> This seems to be a voltage related issue?  
> Either the battery is not being charged, or the battery itself is majorly 
> screwed ?

I agree with your diagnosis - but have no opinion on which option is 
the case.  I am more inclined to think alternator.  I would probably 
take the car to a place where they can test the charging system, so 
that I could solve the whole problem at once, not piece-by-piece.  If 
you need alternator work, I suggest you have your existing unit 
rebuilt, rather than putting a rebuilt or new unit on.  You will be 
happier with the result.

I suspect the alternator was not charging sufficiently, and the 
reason it died was that you just plain ran outa juice.  8.2 volts 
isn't enough to make an Audi firefly glow...

Al Powell                           Voice:  409/845-2807
107 Reed McDonald Bldg.             Fax:    409/862-1202
College Station, TX 77843           Email:  a-powell1@tamu.edu 
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