M. Corbin

I have some problem with the charging system on my 96 AQW. Voltage is 8-10 rather than 14, the car starts reluctantly, and the auto check battery light came on. I don't think it's the battery since the car does start, and there's an abnormal humming sort of noise coming from the front of the engine. Anybody have any guesses as to whether it's okay to drive to the dealership for repair? The owner's manual does say the car can be driven on battery alone is the v-belt is gone, but I wanted to see what people thought.

Also, anybody have an alternator go out on an A6 with only 35K miles on it?

QCRAZY

..do you live? It's okay to drive it without the alternator charging but it really works your battery. The longer you drive the car the harder it is on the battery, if you drive too far you may end up needing a new batttery!! If you do drive it to the dealer I would not run your A/C or your radio and I would run the internal fan on low(if at all), I would also use my windows as little as possible!!

Your alternator is probably okay, the voltage regulator probably went out. I'm not sure if you can just replace the voltage regulator on your A6 or not!!(I would think that you probably can)

Good Luck
---
Andrew
95 90Q
91 90

Ray Calvo

I went probably 12 hours on old '84 Carrera driving just on battery (Bosch FI like Audi's) when alternator died. Car finally died when voltage got so low couldn't drive computer; prob. about 10V. This was at dusk soon after turning on headlights. left car sitting for about 10 minutes, battery rejuvenated enuf to get me another 5 miles before it died completely. A new alternator and a battery recharge had me on my way again, although I think the battery died within a year.

Charge the battery overnight, then after the car starts give it a heavy 5 minute charge with engine running. Should be fine if you follow Andrew's suggestion and dealer is an hour or so away.

You have an escort who can follow you down to dealer?

M. Corbin

I took the car to the dealer with a "chase car." It made it fine. The dealer says new alternator, and new moonroof motor. They said the moonroof motor was draining the battery, and the alternator wasn't charging it back up enough.

Interestingly, after jump starting the car, the moonroof opened and wouldn't close. Everybody out there with a pre-owned A6 check that the manual moonroof closing tool is where it should be inside the rotary switch cover - the previous owner lost ours, but an allen wrench worked okay.

ScottL11

Kinda late to reply to this thread, but for the record, my 1997 A6QW alternator just failed with 42K. The regulator is replaceable, but that is not the part that failed. My alternator shop, Boyle's Future Tech in Auburn, CA, said it was most likely a diode. They can ususally rebuild that part of the alternator, but was not able to find the parts for that particular Bosch 120. So... off to the dealer. Whoa, $509 bucks for an alternator. (Part only)