A3 1.8t Alternator issues?

Jxly

Jxly

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Hey folks, been scanning these forums for years and never registered, always taken whatever info I needed from others but I have got stuck now. I just bought a 2000 A3 1.8t Quattro and had some issues with it taking it up the road. Mainly battery dying and car choking/rough idle.

The car was in a dirty farm like area for the last 2 years and never cleaned. The engine bay is manky and the air filter was filled with hay and leaves. Hoovered it out and the box, cleaned the maf with carb cleaner, still choking. Getting a new air filter on Monday to try and hopefully fix if not help the choking. Now, my main issue... the alternator.

First 2 journeys after buying the car (30-40 miles) were fine, no issues. Then when I went to start the car the battery was dead. Bump started it and it ran fine. Then it died again after I stopped, had to call AA. They tested it and said it's a fault with alternator as he checked with a brand new battery which I ended up buying off him.

The car runs great when it runs but after a while it dies. How do I go about checking what part of the alternator is failing or do I just have to get a new one? Any help appreciated. Scanned the car for codes and only central locking came up, alarm horn was the cause.

Guessing a previous owner had issues and maybe disconnected it or something. Changed the aux belt (like a horses tail) today and changed oil (thinner than water!!!) ordering timing belt kit tonight as it needs done.


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Unless you have specialist knowledge and equipment, they are not readily DIY repairable. Most people buy a "new" one which normally means remanufactured/refurbished. Lucas sell decent remanufactured ones via Euro Car Parts - I would avoid the budget/cheaper ones e.g. RTX and Elstock - the latter sold via GSF - as, in my experience, they can be unreliable.
 
Buy a used one and save alot of money and trouble :) Alternators break down very often.
 
Alternator not charging properly may be the freewheel pully has given up the ghost and is turning in both directions

 
You can replace the brushes, but you would be better off buying a replacement, I mine from Euros last year for £98, if you order before midnight tonight, use promo code weekend30 to get 30% off.
 
When I cut the engine the alternator continues to spin for about 1-2 seconds. I can see where it is spinning but that is no help to me as I have zero knowledge about alternators. I will post a picture or video if possible on here shortly. As it stands I'm going to get a new alternator tomorrow and get it fitted. £220 then about £50 back for my old one. It's local and I need it asap as I can't be assed charging and changing batteries all the time.


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Getting a new one is a good investment in my opinion :)

£170 for a new one is not bad either. Where I live the price for just the alternator to an S3 is from £350 and up.
Used one can be bought for £25 ish, just saw one on ebay in GB for that price.

When alternator is working prop it should give around 14V when car is on idle. If you measure say 12V on idle, you could try changing brushes, if not it is broken and you need a new one.
 
It was 11.5-12v yesterday when I took it to get belt changed. It moved up slightly too but then when I was driving the car died 15miles later. Battery light then died about a mile or 2 later. Same thing today. The car is only running off the battery so I'm convinced it's the alternator. Once the new one is installed tomorrow....if it doesn't fix the issue then what should I be looking at?


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Dropping the car off before I go to work and picking it up at 5.30 so I will post an update when I get home with it...if I do get home with it.


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As for the oil being like water, the car has had a bang on the sump and the plug got damaged, gets tight after 2-3 turns. Took out the sensor to change the oil. Couldn't figure out why it had a new oil filter but not new oil...


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Car at garage, will post update later. Hopefully all will be well and the car is fine. New alternator and air filter going on today


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audi upgrades
If the new alternator doesn't stop the battery dying then where should I look?


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New alternator in, car running great, battery now holding charge properly. Although...when driving home the engine management light came on again. No idea why, will have to investigate. Waiting on a timing belt kit to come so will be heading back to garage to get it fitted and run the laptop on it again to scan for codes.


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Brake light and reversing light have gone out now, might be coincidence but my luck just doesn't seem to be in. Will replace bulbs tonight and see.


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Teething troubles.... Hopefully replace a few bulbs and everything will be fine. Good news is thats its charging.
 
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