Re: HELP-5kcstq--Has been in the shop since I bought it--HELP

[Steve Jensen <sjensen@mindspring.com>]

Hi Mike:

First of all, welcome to the list and Quattro land!  I also live in
Atlanta, and if your shop can't find it after 2 months, it may be a real
squirrelly intermittent that's got him/her stumped.  Or maybe it's time to
get another shop.  Which shop are you using?

How is it dying?  After the 15 minutes, does the starter refuse to turn at
all, or does it spin down?  You already mentioned some things, but we need
to know the particulars:

How old is the battery?
Is the battery the right size for your car?
Alternator output is okay and checked w/meter?
Battery connections good?
Connection from battery to starter okay?
What is the condition of the starter - original or recent replacement?
(the exposed braided cable on the starter can look good, but can be
one step away from disintegrating.  Tug on it - does it fall apart?)
Has the ignition switch been checked?
How long did the cooling fan run - 5 min or 15 min?

The more you can tell us, the more we can narrow it down and get you back
on the road.  Others will have suggestions - listen carefully (especially
to the gospel according to Phil, Scott Mo, et al!) and you'll save time and
money.  I know I have.

-Steve Jensen
87 5KCSTQ

At 08:36 PM 10/30/98 -0800, you wrote:
>Hi all
>
>I am new to the list.  I bought a 86 5kcstq, A beautiful car, and my
>first Audi.  But I drove it less than one week before the problem
>began.  The previous owner says it never had this problem before. 
> 
>When I park the car, sometimes as short as 15 min, the batt dies.  The
>car has been in the shop for almost 2 months, with a very reputable
>Audi mechanic In Atlanta.  Every time he thinks the problem is fixed,
>I go to pick it up and it is dead.  He has replaced the batt (a few
>times), the alternator (a few times), and the temp sensor for the
>cooling fan.  I WANT MY CAR BACK! does anyone have any suggestions
>about what may be causing the problem?!?  Or has anyone had a similar
>problem?
>
>Thanks in advance for the help.
>
>Mike