Tsyndr

Hi Guys,

I have a 2003 B6 A4 1.8T and I saw a new warning light that I hadn't seen before. It's red and looks like a battery. It came on yesterday when I started the car, and then would intermittently come on and off as I drove. I want to say it came on when I accelerated. The manual says this is the "Generator Warning" and that if it persists while the car is driving, you should turn off non-essential electronics/lights. I don't have anything extra on or plugged in that I don't need for driving.

So my question is: Is this just a battery issue that I can fix by replacing the battery (battery is less than 3 years old). I've had the battery die on me before but I don't recall seeing this warning light. Or is this something more seriously wrong with the electronics in the car? The manual doesn't say how to fix it other than just turn off electrical devices and take it to the Audi dealer. It doesn't recommend switching the battery.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

John535is

The light usually means the charging power is not getting from the alternator to the battery. Does the guage on the dash indicate about 13V + when driving, or down 12v or less?
So I would inspect the no items first. Check the following:
the battery terminals are clean and tight, (there should be no corrosion between the terminals and the lugs)
the terminal on the back of the alternator is clean and tight
trace the battery cables and check for damage,
the earth connection and the lug to the starter is clean and tight
failing that, you then start looking at the alternator fault or the battery.