Oh Dear - Electrical Probs

[superba <superba@pacbell.net>]

Hi Chris,

1)  Please configure your email reader to send in "text" mode;  "html" makes
a mess.
2)  IMHO you got a good buy;  I have an earlier version of the same car that
has over 300K miles and is still ticking.
3)  Huw Powell has an excellent site with posts that cover some of your
problems, <http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi/>.  Much of it covers an 82 CGT
whose original equipment was similar if not the same as your 5KT.
4)  Repairing the dim glow of bulbs, particularly the alternator, can be
done by inserting a diode in the wire from the alternator to the instrument
cluster.  Contact me by email offline and I'll send a copy of one way to do
it.
5)  Huw's site has info on grounding which is largely the cause of lights
going awry.  There is a multipoint ground on the left side of the
engine(facing front) that builds up corrosion over time and puts too much
ohmmic resistance in the ground circuit.  Remove the bolt and clean all the
ring connectors and the frame where it bolts and reconnect it.  Ground the
tail lights per the article on Huw's page;  that will probably make the
cruise control work and give you reliable turn signals, running lights, and
brake lights.
6.  You'll need to remove the instrument cluster and reset the flexible
circuit board and all the bulbs and that will cure some of the intermittent
instrument light operations.  Making the a/c lights work is a PITA that
ought to be reserved for a day of patience.


I've got considerable experience with this model, so feel free to send me an
email directly to <superba@pacbell.net>.

HTH.

Cheers!

Jim Jordan

> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Mon, 6 Dec 1999 16:57:58 -0500
> From: "Chris Woodward" <cwoodwa@abraxis.com>
> Subject: Oh Dear - Electrical Probs
>
> This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
>
> Background:
>
> Just acquired a 1983 5k f.i. non-turbo with ~140k on the clock for $600. =
>  Made its 1500 mile drive home with nary a snag.  Since then, replaced =
> front strut mounts and fuel pressure regulator and car was running =
> perfectly.
>
> Minor annoyances include intermittent inst cluster backlight (along with =
> air cond control backlight).  A sharp thwap on the dash would sometimes =
> bring them both back to life.  Neither window on the right side of the =
> car works, and the switches are not to blame.  The inst. cluster turn =
> signal indicator never illuminated, until today.  "Bonus" I =
> thought.....As I parked in Home Depot, I was going to close the sunroof =
> (it was tilted).  I hit the button and, suddenly the alt. idiot light =
> comes on and the buzzer yells at me.  The sunroof will NOT close.  No =
> time to deal- I turn the car off and run in.  When I return, I start the =
> car and the buzzer is still yelling, and the alt light is still on.  The =
> sunroof will still not close.  As I'm driving home, I notice that the =
> seatbelt light and the OXS light (formerly always brightly illuminated) =
> were both dimly glowing.  As I stop to turn into my house, I use the =
> blinker.  The blinker light still worked and, strangely, if the blinkers =
> (either) or flashers were on, the buzzing stopped.  The alt light was =
> still on, but, would dim slightly when the turn sig. indicator was "on." =
>  The seatbelt light and oxs light would go from very dim to slightly =
> less dim when the turn signal indicator was "on."
>
> Weird?  Or something simple?  Any diagnoses?  Remember - pressing the =
> sunroof button was what started everything!  Please help!
>
> Thanks in advance-
> Chris
> '90 CQ
> '83 5k
>