Help with electrical problem
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Joined: Oct 2006
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Help with electrical problem
Hi, everybody.
I was having this intermittent problem on my 97 A6Q recently. I do not know where to start looking or checking, so I will appreciate any advice on this matter.
When I turn on my conditioner, it starts draining the battery, so after driving with conditioner for let's say 2 hours, I can't start my car. And when I do something like opening a window or locking the car from the inside or turning on the headlights, it looks like the battery charge level drops right away and then goes back to normal in a few seconds (sometimes, sometimes not). After I give a boost and start the car, it shows battery charge as normal - that's strange. So I was thinking - change the battery? ignition switch? starter problem? alternator? wires not grounded (which ones?). The battery looks like new outside, but it's probably old, so i'm better off changing it. BTW anybody can suggest where I can get Audi battery (besides dealership), I was trying autohausaz, but they don't have it. Also do I have to buy a special tool to charge it before putting it into the car? Thank a lot for help.
I was having this intermittent problem on my 97 A6Q recently. I do not know where to start looking or checking, so I will appreciate any advice on this matter.
When I turn on my conditioner, it starts draining the battery, so after driving with conditioner for let's say 2 hours, I can't start my car. And when I do something like opening a window or locking the car from the inside or turning on the headlights, it looks like the battery charge level drops right away and then goes back to normal in a few seconds (sometimes, sometimes not). After I give a boost and start the car, it shows battery charge as normal - that's strange. So I was thinking - change the battery? ignition switch? starter problem? alternator? wires not grounded (which ones?). The battery looks like new outside, but it's probably old, so i'm better off changing it. BTW anybody can suggest where I can get Audi battery (besides dealership), I was trying autohausaz, but they don't have it. Also do I have to buy a special tool to charge it before putting it into the car? Thank a lot for help.
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: beside the Great Salty Wetspot
ideas
when you turn on the AC the cooling fans automatically run, which could cause a drain on the electrical system....and on the battery if the alternator is not charging properly.
I'd start by cleaning the battery terminals and the electrical contacts where the wiring harness plugs into the alternator.
It that doesn't solve the problem then bona fide tests of the alt and battery would be in order. Your FLAPS will usually do those tests for free if you take the components in. They may even do it while they're installed in the car.
I'd start by cleaning the battery terminals and the electrical contacts where the wiring harness plugs into the alternator.
It that doesn't solve the problem then bona fide tests of the alt and battery would be in order. Your FLAPS will usually do those tests for free if you take the components in. They may even do it while they're installed in the car.
New Member
Joined: May 2006
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Re: Help with electrical problem
I'd say alternator , could be the battery too . I dont know where you live , but here in canada we have a store called Canadian Tire we take aour alternator and battery there and they will check it for free . another store called Part source has the tool so you dont have to discounect any thing . I guess Autozone/ Pep Boys in states will do the same thing for free or very cheap . And I dont think you need a Audi battery , Mine is an Energizer I got it from Walmart !
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^^ Agreed....start by charging and then load testing the battery. Then load test the alternator
Pop the covers off the batter and check the water level inside too. It needs to be at the bottom of the cell fill tubes. If it's not, top it up with distilled water and then charge the battery.
Batteries are only good for 4-5 years, so if your is that old or older, it gone bad. You may be able to find a date sticker on the side. It will be a letter, followed by a number. The letter is the month, ei, "A" = January, "B" = February, "C"= March, etc. and the number equalls the year. So a stamp that says "C-9" would be March 1999.
Make sure your battery terminals are tight, and that they aren't all corroded.
Prior to disconnecting the battery, you can buy and plug in a 9 volt adapter into the cigarette lighter, and that will keep the memory for the stereo powered so you don't have to put the code back into the stereo for it to work.
Batteries are only good for 4-5 years, so if your is that old or older, it gone bad. You may be able to find a date sticker on the side. It will be a letter, followed by a number. The letter is the month, ei, "A" = January, "B" = February, "C"= March, etc. and the number equalls the year. So a stamp that says "C-9" would be March 1999.
Make sure your battery terminals are tight, and that they aren't all corroded.
Prior to disconnecting the battery, you can buy and plug in a 9 volt adapter into the cigarette lighter, and that will keep the memory for the stereo powered so you don't have to put the code back into the stereo for it to work.
Thread Starter
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Just changed the battery
Went to AutoZone they load tested the battery and it was bad. Sticker on it was saying September 2000 so I got a new one. So far car starts fine. However, the battery charge indicator drops lower then 12 (i'd say 8) when 1) I turn on the lights, 2) when I used switch to open or close the window. When I turn on the conditioner, though, it doesn't drop anymore so low, just a little bit.
I guess the alternator is bad too, I'm gonna change it next week. Anybody knows a link to instructions how to do it. I have a manual but it would be good to have some other sources as well.
Thanks, everybody.
I guess the alternator is bad too, I'm gonna change it next week. Anybody knows a link to instructions how to do it. I have a manual but it would be good to have some other sources as well.
Thanks, everybody.
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,134
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Don't condemn the alternator (or any part) until you diagnose it as bad.
If you go to www.autohausaz.com you'll see they sell the voltage regulator for cheap.
Don't rely on a dash gauge to be an accurate display of voltage output, or voltage drop. Test with a real Volt meter, and get that alternator load tested in the car.
The other thing to rememember is the importance of good ground cables....from the battery to the body and from the engine to the body. Make sure the connections all all clean and tight.
Don't rely on a dash gauge to be an accurate display of voltage output, or voltage drop. Test with a real Volt meter, and get that alternator load tested in the car.
The other thing to rememember is the importance of good ground cables....from the battery to the body and from the engine to the body. Make sure the connections all all clean and tight.
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