is my alternator dead?

[lukecupra2001]

starting to get a few problems with the old girl now but the biggest one is this...

the last few days ive been driving along and then all off a sudden all power is lost, revs drop and the battery light comes on and nothing else.
i have to stop turn key to off posistion and then restart it and its fine for abit then does it again.
ive spoken to a few people and they think its that but id like the thoughts of all you clever people

 

[Applemobile]

If it starts and is fine afterwards, its sounds like its more like a broken wire. You can easily test your altenator with a voltmeter, you can probably pick one up for under a 5er if you dont have one.

 

[lukecupra2001]

i think halfords do checks aswell for free but im terrified of driving it incase konks out.
if its a dodgy wire were the hell do i start looking it could be anything couldnt it??

 

[keirravn]

doesnt sound like an alternator to me mate, i think apples right its more likely to be a wiring problem.

when alternator goes you will usually get a battery warning light (constant) and the car will run fine untill your battery runs out of juice.

easy alternator check - park facing a wall/car whatever, with just ignition on put your full beam on and then start the engine, lights should dim for a moment whilst cranking but then go brighter then before.

or go to kwik fit for a free check (just dont get it sorted there lol).

sounds like a pro is needed to sort mate

 

[lukecupra2001]

barsteward

whats the best bet then you think people?try and find a good auto electition and take him for a spin hope it happens and see if can fix it?

 

[keirravn]

my first course of action would be just speaking to a mechanic/auto electro/Seat mechanic.

if you go round to a couple of places, especially those that work specifically on VAGs, and explain the symptoms someone may have an answer for you, i would defo go to at least a couple of places though as the first may be wrong, but if 2 - 3 pros tell you the same thing that its likely to be then your on your way to getting it sorted.

otherwise just wait and hope that someone on here has had similar problems and can give you better advice.

if your trying to think of what you can do in the meantime i would check all the obvious things -

make sure your battery terminals are making good conatact/are properly secured/and that there is nothing shorting them out.

remove the battery and check the earths below it are all secure and tidy.

visually inspect all the wiring you can see under the bonnet, with ignition off disconnect any plugs you come accross and give a spray with Wd or contact cleaner before reconnecting.

if you can find someone with VAG-com or similar get them to read the ecu for faults, i dont think a fault that flashes the battery light would show, unless you just mean that the battery light comes on as/after the engine cuts out (as it would if you stalled) because if thats the case it prob has nout to do with the battery/alternator/wiring related to them.

checking for fault codes and a visual inspection are the best starting points, garage after or if your not keen on DIY problem finding lol.

 

[techie]

Just have a look at the fuse on top of the battery (the far left one) check its ok and not melted.

 

[LEE69]

If the battery goes to low the DBW throttle is the first thing to go, happened to me.

 

[petrolhead55]

Have you had any work done on it before this happened and maybe somethings not been put back on , maybe a bad earth between engine and chassis

 

[lukecupra2001]

Have you had any work done on it before this happened and maybe somethings not been put back on , maybe a bad earth between engine and chassis

yeah fuel pump last week but its been fine untill fridaay.im going to have a good look about sunday (today) as im off work so ill go check all the fuses and connections and report back see if i find anything.

battery was fine last time had it checked aswell was about perfect as could be so if i dont find anything its going back to garage that did fuel pump on monday and they can find out whats up.

cheers for all your input people, given me some good leads to chase up

 

[Faisal]

my alternator went 2 weeks ago. at first my battery light came on, as well as lights turning off on the car. restarted it and it was fine. then then i put the foot down it happened again.

it got worse and worse, luckily i have a voltgauge and i seen that my voltage was dropping slowly. meaning my battery wasnt charging. had to get it jumpstarted, and limped over to a garage.

check to see if your battery isnt losing power in your hidden climate control menu. 22c is your battery voltage. should be sitting at 13.5 if its fully charged, if its below 11, you have a worry. if it goes below 6, your car will die and it will need jumpstarted...

 

[lukecupra2001]

excellent thanks mate have a try 2nite,im just terrified of driving it thoughas the 1st time it happened i was on a realy busy 70mph a road