New Member & S3 owner -Problems already :(

[Lilgaz]

Hello to all members!

I`ve been reading through loads of threads to see if anyone has had any similar problems as myself but nothing too similar...as far as my eyes could read!
As you`ll find out I`m no expert on cars..thats why I`ve come to you guy`s!

To start I`ve had the car 3 weeks and all has been well until I had trouble starting the car (battery indicator on dash) but was turning over and eventually starting....until after a short trip approx 3 miles with windows down, sunroof open and stereo on moderate (not bangin it) I returned to the car 10 minutes after switching the ignition off and the car was completely dead...

Had to bump start (couldnt get hold of jump leads or charger unit) started after 1st attempt 30m max....tested battery 16V while running, 12V when off, magic eye hydrometer showing green - electrolyte good! - battery`s fine. The car`s been the same starting ever since but always enough to start...thats getting checked under warranty next thursday...

More to the point I have noticed a slight decrease in power or so it seems since the event....could I have flooded the cat and if so would it cause me to loose back pressure = loss of power?? Its been a week or so but I still feel theres something not right...

Symptoms: The turbo feels to give less boost when accelerating. The whistle of the turbo also seems to be louder...

The problem I face is not owning the car long enough to 100% notice a difference, but I can`t settle until I know for sure...

Sorry about the essay, any help would be more than welcome...
Thanks
Gaz

 

[omegadirective]

Can't answer most of your questions I'm afraid, but have you looked at the alternator? I was having similar problems with my S3, turned out the alternator was faulty. Car would also cut out during driving!

 

[FazS3]

new alternator perhaps the battery,when was it changed mate?

 

[Lilgaz]

Thanks for the replies lads...everything seems to be ok with the battery...16V while running, 12V when off, magic eye hydrometer showing green - electrolyte good!...and assume that the alternator is doing its job as the battery isn`t losing its charge....

 

[Clach]

Throttle body issue perhaps, difficult to tell, have you used VAGCOM yet?

 

[Lilgaz]

No not yet but I`ve read up about it & seems like a smart move...probably get the package in the next month or so for future reference....the cars goin in for this starting problem and possible power loss problem under warranty on thursday so hopefully they`l have the VAG COM diagnostics to flag up any faults for now fingers crossed!

 

[s3_kev]

alternator should not be charging at 16v ever let alone on idle, should be around 14v sounds like the alternator is over charging and pulling massive amps on startup thus no giving the starter enough to get going, the battery will be advisable to change atthe same time as its been over charged. this is probably all your other problems as all the engine sensors will be getting higher voltage due to the extra charge in the system

 

[Clach]

let us know

 

[rambo220]

had similar issue in v6 4motion i had a while back, (tubo issue aside ofc)

but from what i read i would agree with the others, defo sounds like an alternator issue. been said already i spose....

 

[Lilgaz]

alternator should not be charging at 16v ever let alone on idle, should be around 14v sounds like the alternator is over charging and pulling massive amps on startup thus no giving the starter enough to get going, the battery will be advisable to change atthe same time as its been over charged. this is probably all your other problems as all the engine sensors will be getting higher voltage due to the extra charge in the system

Thanks for the reply, thats put my mind slightly more at ease....hopefully it`l be sorted on thursday..i`ll keep everyone updated

 

[AndyMac]

Or the regulator on the alternator is shot. A voltage check will tell you nothing about the health of the battery. I can get 14.4v off a set of duracells but doubt they'd turn over my engine. You need to check the voltage while cranking the engine or putting the battery under some kind of heavy load to tell if it's ok.

 

[NHN]

Or the regulator on the alternator is shot. A voltage check will tell you nothing about the health of the battery. I can get 14.4v off a set of duracells but doubt they'd turn over my engine. You need to check the voltage while cranking the engine or putting the battery under some kind of heavy load to tell if it's ok.

Have to agree with Andy, battery could still be issue as I've had one showing good status but wouldnt start a fiat 126 let alone an audi a3, lol, so I'd consider this aswell, but never seen a 12v battery with 16v reading, never

 

[Lilgaz]

Cheers for the replies fellas, it was the the battery that was at fault afterall!
A discharge test shown the battery was well shot, so I`ve fitted new one and all seems well, going for a decent spin later to confirm it. My tyre pressures were also pretty low which was increasing the road resistance, theyre now at 2.2 bar all round and feels a lot better...I`ll update tomorrow..thanks again!

 

[NHN]

My tyre pressures were also pretty low which was increasing the road resistance, theyre now at 2.2 bar all round and feels a lot better...I`ll update tomorrow..thanks again!

Ah so the tyre road resistance killed the battery, lol, sorry had to, glad its a cheap fix fella

 

[Lilgaz]

yeah thankfully only cost me 56 quid, all seems well! :icon_thumright: