Damn Audi: All dash warning lights on, limp home in fourth only,gear indicator inverted. 18.6 V @ 4k
01-04-2009, 06:38 PM
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Damn Audi: All dash warning lights on, limp home in fourth only,gear indicator inverted. 18.6 V @ 4k
<center><img src="http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w80/sugarlux/Mylife129.jpg"></center><p>Has anyone ever had this happen?
Driving home fast in 4th (automatic) and suddenly, all the dash lights come on (traction control, abs, brake), the car starts flashing the Brake light, the battery icon appears on the LCD display, the gear display has inverted color to mostly red, the car won't shift into any other gear (except 4th) even from a stand-still, AND all gauges are stuck in their position until I shut the car off, then they jitter back to 0.
Disconnected/reconnected the battery-- same problem; Clunking into drive/reverse in my driveway. I hate this car. Now, it makes sense-- how I could afford a car like this 2 years ago. No barriers to entry, but will tax the shiet out of your savings. Bah-humbug.
no fluid leaks, or odd smells-- nothing obvious to me.
I could cry.
-----
UPDATE
--Fuses in the side of dash are all fine. Who knows where the other's are.
--at idle, the alternator pushes about 14.4. BUT, at about 3300 RPM the LCD battery light came on and the gauges stopped functioning. Actually, they became stuck. At about 4000 RPM, the alternator pushes 18.5 volts. WtF! This isn't supposed to be like that right? Should remain 14.4 volts across the RPM range I think. Voltage regulator faulty, and fried/frying the computer?
--At about 100 MPH, in fourth gear, the same happened.
Driving home fast in 4th (automatic) and suddenly, all the dash lights come on (traction control, abs, brake), the car starts flashing the Brake light, the battery icon appears on the LCD display, the gear display has inverted color to mostly red, the car won't shift into any other gear (except 4th) even from a stand-still, AND all gauges are stuck in their position until I shut the car off, then they jitter back to 0.
Disconnected/reconnected the battery-- same problem; Clunking into drive/reverse in my driveway. I hate this car. Now, it makes sense-- how I could afford a car like this 2 years ago. No barriers to entry, but will tax the shiet out of your savings. Bah-humbug.
no fluid leaks, or odd smells-- nothing obvious to me.
I could cry.
-----
UPDATE
--Fuses in the side of dash are all fine. Who knows where the other's are.
--at idle, the alternator pushes about 14.4. BUT, at about 3300 RPM the LCD battery light came on and the gauges stopped functioning. Actually, they became stuck. At about 4000 RPM, the alternator pushes 18.5 volts. WtF! This isn't supposed to be like that right? Should remain 14.4 volts across the RPM range I think. Voltage regulator faulty, and fried/frying the computer?
--At about 100 MPH, in fourth gear, the same happened.
01-04-2009, 06:47 PM
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Yeah, If I had to guess, I'd say the voltage regulator pooped. Obviously, the computer didn't fry,
it still runs. But it does appear that the display doesn't like 18.5V. I'd replace the alternator. I think Autozone had one in stock for ~$300, here.
01-04-2009, 08:20 PM
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2nd, I wouldn't run my car like that. www.car-part.com canf ind you a nice used alt.
I got one off a newer passat, 90 bucks shipped, DIY r&r. Not bad at all.
I passed on the autozone/duralast ones, just didn't feel right putting that in my car, for no good reason I'm sure.
orrrrr some local places can probably repair/replace the voltage regulator. I'd call around and get a few opinions.
I passed on the autozone/duralast ones, just didn't feel right putting that in my car, for no good reason I'm sure.
orrrrr some local places can probably repair/replace the voltage regulator. I'd call around and get a few opinions.
01-04-2009, 08:57 PM
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money on the alternator. Similar thing happened to me, gauges all became stuck
Charged the battery. Put it back in, car was fine. Alternator was the problem. I'd first check your cables on your starter and make sure nothing is loose.
There is a writeup on how to check your alternator via a voltmeter.
There is a writeup on how to check your alternator via a voltmeter.
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01-05-2009, 11:52 AM
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Re: my money is on the hazard reflector in the trunk. it has been known to channel electricity from
Dude.. I thought it was that low frequency radiation from russia to control our minds. I think it's about 22 Hz.