Re: Dead Ur-Q ; Electrical

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

     Paul,
     Just to back up Orin's guess that it's the alternator I experienced 
     the same thing. The ur-q alternator is very exposed to the elements 
     mounted so low at the front of the engine. A previous owner had 
     removed the plastic wind ducts for the oil cooler and as a result the 
     alternator was even more exposed. No surprise the brushes became 
     fowled up and the alternator lost it's ability to charge. 
     
     Note: Even with a fully charged battery it is my experience that an 
     ur-q will not travel very far once the alternator stops charging.
     
     Anyway when I broke down I was towed to an Audi dealership who 
     performed a "full charging system analysis". One hour later and 80 
     bucks poorer they couldn't find anything and the car was running 
     perfectly. Two days later it was snowing and the same thing happened 
     again.... Changing the alternator ($70! rebuilt) in the office car 
     park (with hardly any tools) in 6" of snow and -15C was the most 
     unpleasant job I have ever performed on an Audi, truly a bonding 
     experience. 
     
     Gotta love Canadian winters, regards, Mike