battery or alternator??

[R_Ethug]

i boosted my baron friday and i accidentally had the cables shorted for a second then realized and fixed..

anyways.. drove the s4 only once this weekend and today going to work the voltage was at 13 then dropped to 8 by the time i got to work and the dash thew a battery error.

did i kill my battery having it shorted? or did is my alternator going? i have a feeling i'll need to get boosted to go home today :/

driving on the highway the voltage wouldn't climb it just kept dropping

[Ur0Drivr]

Re: battery or alternator??

Sounds like alternator if the power is dropping while driving

[Natty54]

Re: battery or alternator??

I would say alternator but if you have a volt meter you can easily figure out what is wrong

[R_Ethug]

Re: battery or alternator??

i do not.. i just want to make it home hahaha.. baron power i guess for the rest of the month

[R_Ethug]

Re: battery or alternator??

PS.. is it OK if i pull the positive off the car while its running? i read thats a good way to test if the alternator is indeed giving power

[R_Ethug]

Re: battery or alternator??

oh noes!

i drove it around at lunch.. k this is odd

car started fine and this morning when i got to work the voltage levels on the cluster were at 9ish

car starts to 13ish

then starts dropping as soon as i drive.. drops to about 10 then i come back and let it idle and it drops down to 8.5-9! and the abs/esp lights come on too

shut the car off.. and it will not start/acts like the battery is dead

i'n not sure what do do? try another battery? my optima has warranty i just need to find the receipt.

or order an alternator.. hrmm

[stefan]

Re: battery or alternator??

even if your battery was crap, the alternator would still charge at a normal rate, no? I think alternator.

[aliencurv]

Re: battery or alternator??

start the car. unhook the battery while it's running (disconnect the ground cable) .. if the car still runs, your alternator is fine. if it stops, your alternator is fuxtored

-or-

use the very nice gauge that audi gave you that displays the voltage as being low and know the alternator is screwed

[Geobmx4life]

Re: battery or alternator??

I'm going through the same thing on my TDI right now...you should probably check your grounds too.

Hey DJ, isn't there a risk of damaging electronics, if you pull the negative off the post? I was warned against this.

[R_Ethug]

Re: battery or alternator??

grounds are fine.. i think its the alternator :/

just in time to park it for the winter almost anyways.. bah!

best part is the baron has a dead battery right now too LOL.. so i'll need to buy a new one for it as its been going for a while.. crappy tire visit tonight here i come

i love the fact this will the be the 4th time i put the s4 into service mode this summer.. i really should just order some frankenturbos this week too.. i have the monies for it but i'd rather have some extra monies for vacation

[R-Audi]

Re: battery or alternator??

Its the alternator... almost exact same thing happened to me earlier this year. Luckily it died in front of Tunerworks and they replaced it.

[The_Jerbel]

Re: battery or alternator??

If the voltage is low with the car running, then your alternator isn't charging correctly. You should see 13+ Volts with the car running. If not, the alternator is either toast, or has a bad connection somewhere. I would pull the brushes out of the alternator, and I'm betting they're worn down and are not making direct contact anymore.

[R_Ethug]

Re: battery or alternator??

jordan can you email me a quote for a new alternator when you can

i made it home BARELY.. right as i got into my neighbourhood the car stereo started turning on/off and the dash lit up like a christmas tree..

tried to start it again and no go.. i'll have to trickle charge my battery tonight and do that test tomorrow and see.. me thinks its the alternator tho.. not a huge deal anyways

[Mantis]

Re: battery or alternator??

It is most definitely the alternator, they are costly little buggers

[The_Jerbel]

Re: battery or alternator??

Sure thing.

Email sent.