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I was driving my car today when I got a message on the dash that said "Alternator fault: Battery is not being charged" immediately I started to head back home but before I could make it back I got several other messages on the dash about TPMS, Hill Assist, Suspension Level Control errors. And from there the car died and wouldn't start back up. My question is for anyone who may have dealt with this, is it an alternator issue or battery issue? I've had the car for about 4 years now and I've never replaced the battery on it. Where should I start?
I recently had to replace my battery and got dozens of errors/messages too. However, I never saw one like the one you posted.
If you battery is 4+ years old, I think that's a safe bet of what is wrong. Do you have a digital volt meter? Assuming the car will start, you can test the alternator output voltage by putting the meter probes on the positive and negative battery terminals (or under the hood where they are easily accessible). Your alternator should be putting out 14+ volts. Now the battery could be so bad that it is keeping the alternator from doing its job, so keep that in mind, too. You also could remove the battery and take it to your nearest auto supply store for a free battery test. If it's bad, just swap it out right there on the spot.
Remember, the new battery should be coded to get the optimum life span. So back to what the above post states, get VCDS. Whew, that went full circle didn't it, lol?
I replaced the battery on my 2016 A8L last year.
It was fine but as a preventive measure I changed it.
This year that new battery failed in less than a year.
I was warranted a new battery at no charge and so far this year no problem.
Our cars are very sensitive to voltage drop. A norhingnwill trigger allnkind of warnings like you are experiencing.
Before changing the battery, try to charge it.
When full, crank the car.
Flat battery is just a symptom of a failed alternator in most cases. Try to check the voltage coming from the alternator using the smart poles under the hood. Engine running you should read 14V. If not it means it's dead.
03-25-2023, 02:45 PM
Alternator issue?
