RE: Um, next PROBLEM! (this time: Charging System)

["Perry, Christopher" <christopher.perry@cotelligent.com>]

I had a similar problem (although not such a low voltage) with a my 86
4k.  I would check to make sure your ground strap is not dropping any
voltage - mine was dropping a full 1.2 volts.  I pulled it off and used
a blowtorch to solder the ends, after crimping them - I was too chea -
uh - frugal to replace it.  You can check yours with a voltmeter between
the negative battery terminal and any where on the engine - I moved the
other lead from altinator housing to engine block to the bolt that holds
the other end of the ground to the engine/bellhousing union.  You can
also try this on the positive side wiring,I found .5 volt drop there as
well, by going between + side of battery to  + on altinator to the +
lead on the starter moter. With such sigificantly low voltage however it
may be your voltage regulator is shot, not too hard to replace. Only
other thing I can think of is bad altinator.
HTH
chris perry

>-----Original Message-----
>From:	Ken [SMTP:kkeith@qnet.com]
>Sent:	Wednesday, September 03, 1997 2:49 PM
>To:	quattro@coimbra.ans.net
>Subject:	Um, next PROBLEM!  (this time:  Charging System)
>
>I rarely speak about the Audi gods.
>
>My car has always seemed like it didn't maintain a high enough voltage,
>according to my stock voltmeter.  It usually stays at or just below the
>12v mark.  I would be more comfortable if it were around 14v or so,
>unloaded by the fan and stuff.
>
>PROBLEM:  Today, at lunch the voltmeter began reading lower and lower. 
>When I left it last, it was almost totally rested on the "lowest"
>reading (below 8v).
>
>I took a multimeter to the battery with the car off.  It read around
>12v.  With the car running, it was more toward 8v.
>
>I guess I'm going to catch a ride home, and bring back my other Audi's
>alternator/regulator and battery (just in case).
>
>What's the procedure to diagnose what's wrong?  
>
>Thanks,
>
>Ken  <fingers crossed - please, not the archives! I'm on 14.4kbps,
>dialing an outside line at work!>
>-- 
>|------------->Tolerate the freedom of others or lose
>yours!<-------------|
>| 86 GT <Schrick/Borla/K+N/AZEV/ABT>, 85 4ksq <waiting for turbo>, 94
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