Electrical System Problems
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Joined: Mar 2003
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Electrical System Problems
I seem to have some sort of electrical system problem on my 98.5 A4 2.8 Quattro.
I hate tracking down electrical system problems, and I'm just wondering if anyone has had similar problems or knows of some major weaknesses in the Audi electrical system.
I have recently replaced my battery and alternator, so I don't believe that they are causing the problem. However, I can't rule them out.
Here are some electric problems/symptoms that I have experienced:
1. Voltmeter is showing around 12 volts at idle. This increases when the car is moving. If I turn off the blower for climate control when idle, the voltage tends to go up quite a bit (but not always).
2. When at idle and the voltage drops to 12, the car feels like it is going to die. Then it seems to catch itself and increase the voltage again.
3. I bought two Monster FM transmitters for my iPod, and the screen stopped working on both them. Could be due to some power surge, perhaps.
4. I continually blow my rear Bose speakers. I just replaced both of them a couple of months ago, and one of them is blown again. It's getting to be very expensive. This could also be due to some power surge. I'm not sure. I don't listen to my music loud, especially since I've been having to replace the speakers.
Anyway, if anyone has any thoughts, I'd be very appreciative. Thanks!
I hate tracking down electrical system problems, and I'm just wondering if anyone has had similar problems or knows of some major weaknesses in the Audi electrical system.
I have recently replaced my battery and alternator, so I don't believe that they are causing the problem. However, I can't rule them out.
Here are some electric problems/symptoms that I have experienced:
1. Voltmeter is showing around 12 volts at idle. This increases when the car is moving. If I turn off the blower for climate control when idle, the voltage tends to go up quite a bit (but not always).
2. When at idle and the voltage drops to 12, the car feels like it is going to die. Then it seems to catch itself and increase the voltage again.
3. I bought two Monster FM transmitters for my iPod, and the screen stopped working on both them. Could be due to some power surge, perhaps.
4. I continually blow my rear Bose speakers. I just replaced both of them a couple of months ago, and one of them is blown again. It's getting to be very expensive. This could also be due to some power surge. I'm not sure. I don't listen to my music loud, especially since I've been having to replace the speakers.
Anyway, if anyone has any thoughts, I'd be very appreciative. Thanks!
AudiWorld Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
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In regards to the speakers...
Did you replace the speakers only or the amps too?
If you just replaced the speaker, look to the amp as a culprit. Changing voltages into the amp will cause changing output power, so if you get a surge, it could create too much power for the speaker. If you have a drop, it could create too little power and cause distortion. Between 11.5 and 15V should be okay though.
Also, remember that by using an FM transmitter, you're introducing a ton of noise and distortion to the audio signal. It's distortion that causes speakers to blow, not volume (though they are generally related!)
Monster's got good warranties; no sense in buying new ones if they're covered. All those FM transmitters for iPod are crap though, IMO.
What kind of battery and what amperage alternator did you get?
If you just replaced the speaker, look to the amp as a culprit. Changing voltages into the amp will cause changing output power, so if you get a surge, it could create too much power for the speaker. If you have a drop, it could create too little power and cause distortion. Between 11.5 and 15V should be okay though.
Also, remember that by using an FM transmitter, you're introducing a ton of noise and distortion to the audio signal. It's distortion that causes speakers to blow, not volume (though they are generally related!)
Monster's got good warranties; no sense in buying new ones if they're covered. All those FM transmitters for iPod are crap though, IMO.
What kind of battery and what amperage alternator did you get?
Club AutoUnion
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 31,629
Likes: 49
From: Fort Collins Colorado
You have a issue - either a battery is bad - or the alternator
at idle you should be close to 14volts.
12ValveB4 had some good inputs on the speaker issue.
Go back to the place that replaced the alt and battery and get it checked out.
12ValveB4 had some good inputs on the speaker issue.
Go back to the place that replaced the alt and battery and get it checked out.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2003
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Re: In regards to the speakers...
The amps are attached to the speakers, so I changed both the amps and the speakers.
I didn't use the FM transmitters for very long, so I don't believe that they should have caused the problem. I had stopped using the transmitters quite a while before the speaker blew. Also, the speakers blew before without using the transmitter.
As for the transmitters, they are crap
I'm using the ole tape adapter for now.
I don't recall the amperage on the alternator. I replaced it about a year ago. The battery is a Die Hard.
Thank you for the suggestions. The search continues.
I didn't use the FM transmitters for very long, so I don't believe that they should have caused the problem. I had stopped using the transmitters quite a while before the speaker blew. Also, the speakers blew before without using the transmitter.
As for the transmitters, they are crap
I'm using the ole tape adapter for now.I don't recall the amperage on the alternator. I replaced it about a year ago. The battery is a Die Hard.
Thank you for the suggestions. The search continues.
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
Re: You have a issue - either a battery is bad - or the alternator
I replaced the battery and alternator myself. I'm going to double check them. Kind of seems like a voltage regulator problem, but the regulator is part of the alternator.
Maybe I just got a bad one.
Maybe I just got a bad one.
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