Re: Warning Lights

["Mike Hopton" <mike@genesis-microchip.on.ca>]

     Andrew,
     FWIW the symptoms you described are consistent with a problem with the 
     alternator charging circuit, either the alternator, the voltage regulator 
     or the wiring. The first time I experienced this, the alternator light 
     would come on dimly with some of the other warning lights, I kept driving 
     the car and it ran out of charge in only 5-10 minutes (I was driving at 
     night). I managed to get home, charged the car over night and set off for 
     work the next morning. Half way to work the same thing happened. This time 
     I was towed to an Audi dealer who tested the charging system and found no 
     problems.
     
     After it happened one more time I replaced the alternator and the problem 
     was fixed. On examining the old alternator there was a build up of crud on 
     the bushes (caused by a previous owner removing the plastic/card shield or 
     more likely the card shield disintegrating). The crud caused intermittent 
     opens in the alternator charging circuit which became worse in wet weather. 
     The cause of the problem was the missing shield, the alternator was just a 
     symptom.
     
     Regards, Mike