[Author Prev][Author Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Author Index][Thread Index]

Re: Weak Alternator?



Wolff writes:
> [ 4K volt gauge reads low on load ]
> OK, I checked some voltages. The alternator makes 13.8 volts and holds
> steady with load. Obviously it's fine. Battery sees 13.6. Again fine.
> Fuse box gets 13. That seems like a bit of a drop. Radio power leads in
> the car are getting 12.8.  I've been driving around thinking that the
> battery was going to die any time, but it looks like I'm OK. Something
> has changed though, as the gauge used to run higher. 

Almost everything in 4K and Coupe's electrical system is grounded to a a
couple of clusters of push-on connectors under the dash, just above the
hood release lever.  If you take off the bottom cover of your dashboard
you'll see a bunch of brown wires all going into these.  You might want
to try removing all of these, clean/tighten the connectors, and perhaps
remove the cup-shaped lug seats and clean the mating surface to the
body too.  That's one place to look.

-Ti
96 A4 2.8 quattro
84 5000S 2.1 turbo
80 4000 2.0
-- 
    ///  Ti Kan                Vorsprung durch Technik
   ///   AMB Research Laboratories, Sunnyvale, CA. USA
  ///    ti@amb.org
 //////  http://metalab.unc.edu/tkan/
///