Intermittant Battery Warning Light??

[pazaz]

The time has come to get rid of my 01 S3 and purchase a 07 Diesel 140 Sports Back.

Driving my new car home todayon the motorway and the battery light started flashing intermittantly? then staying on for longer periods, when accelerating away a little it would go back off.

Anybody any suggestions or is it that my Alternator is on its way out?

Any help offered as always much appreciated.

 

[N16KSH]

i think its the battery as if your accelerating and light is going off sould like the alt is getting more charge in the battery and then when ya back off power its dropping back down i would say go get ya battery checked 1st most motor spare shops offer free battery testing any way ....

 

[audicruiser]

As said sounds like the battery, but first put a volt meter across the battery and check the value with the engine running. Should be around 14v, if it's not then it could be the alternator...

 

[hades-]

as above
but id also take it back to where i got it from if it was a dealer

 

[audicruiser]

as above
but id also take it back to where i got it from if it was a dealer

Yeah I agree... Didn't realise the OP had just bought it!!

 

[pazaz]

Cheers all, I bought it privately so hope its just the battery.

Well happy with the car appart from that. Typical!! it didnt happen once on the 30min test drive!

Dare I Ask the cost of the Alternator?

 

[mike foster]

Cheers all, I bought it privately so hope its just the battery.

Well happy with the car appart from that. Typical!! it didnt happen once on the 30min test drive!

Dare I Ask the cost of the Alternator?

I can't believe the price in ETKA but it's between £400 - £800!!!

However you should be able to get one for about £100

 

[pazaz]

Checked the voltage across the terminals when the engine was running and was about 12v. When I reved the car the voltaged stayed the same. Looks like the Alternator is knackered!!

 

[audicruiser]

Before you go all out buying an alternator, check the fuse which I think is located on top of the battery. It will be 110 or 130amp. Had this go on my Mk4 Golf and cost me £2.35! It may not be on top of the battery (that's where it is on a Golf and 8L A3) but there will be a fuse in the circuit somewhere....

 

[mike foster]

Before you go all out buying an alternator, check the fuse which I think is located on top of the battery. It will be 110 or 130amp. Had this go on my Mk4 Golf and cost me £2.35! It may not be on top of the battery (that's where it is on a Golf and 8L A3) but there will be a fuse in the circuit somewhere....

Are you sure mate ? A 130Amp fuse will be almost the diameter of a six inch nail !! And a ****** site more expensive that £2.35 !!

 

[audicruiser]

Are you sure mate ? A 130Amp fuse will be almost the diameter of a six inch nail !! And a ****** site more expensive that £2.35 !!

Yeah very sure. I had to buy one...

They are a common fault on the Golf and 8L A3... They are a spade type fuse which is held in place with two nuts between the terminals. They normally get blown if the car is jump started...

 

[N16KSH]

IF YA NEED A NEW BATTERY MY MATE HAS SOME 100 AMP AND SOME 80 AMP AND 60 AMP BATTRIES FOR SALE LOOKING FOR £50 FOR 100 AND £40 FOR 80 AND £30 FOR 60 AMP ....

 

[pazaz]

Turned out to be a the alternator, had a new recon Bosch one for £125.

Thanks for the replies

 

[mike foster]

Turned out to be a the alternator, had a new recon Bosch one for £125.

Thanks for the replies

pazaz - glad you got it sorted. Thanks for the update - it will help others with the same problem.