vineetk

i bought this car in august 2005.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/107104/dscn1993.jpg">

it has a new clutch, timing belt (all other belts as well), new brakes, flex pipe, O2 sensor, tires, etc..

here's my problem:

every since i got the car back from getting the new timing belt put in, about a month ago, i have been having a problem with the battery voltage meter dipping down to 12 or slightly below, and then randomly jumping back up to near 16. one mechanic says its the battery, another says i need a new alternator.

sometimes when the voltage meter goes down a little under 12 the abs and brake light flashes on and beeps a few times.

also, sometimes the headlights randomly turn themselves on/off while i am driving.

all of this 'seems' to be related to the erratic voltage.. but i really have no idea, and i do not have enough money at all right now to bring it to the dealership.

can anyone help me figure out what the heck is going on with my car? could it be one of the new belts i had put in is too tight or loose or slipping? could it be the alternator is jamming up or something and not letting one of the belts turn smoothly? or maybe the alternator is fine but the battery is starting to inconsistently hold a charge... ?

thanks in advance for anyone who can offer some helpful advice.

-vinny, boston

ImAwesome

tested... once you can rule out those two... then start looking at other issues. But don't start looking for little things when you haven't ruled out the big ones

A4SilverT

Look in the FAQ for battery troubleshooting information.

Since you're doing this on a budget, various car parts stores will test your alternator for free, though an intermittent problem might not show up in a short test, particularly if it's a sometimes slipping belt.

Does the voltage stay low long enough for you to pull over to the side of the road, pop the hood, and check to see what the serp belt is doing?

And of course check all connections to the battery and alternator.

If you can find someone with a VAG-COM, it would be worth having them pull codes for you and see if that reveals anything.

coaxial

I had some of the same problems. My car puts out 14 volts, I saw the battery light go on and the volts dropped to 12. Brought it to autozone they strapped it to there machine and were like its ok. Im like no its not. There like its showing 12 Im like duhh. but it wasnt the voltage regulator so that narrowed it down for me and I bought a rebuilt bosch..

JAFO

do a search on "combination switch". i think yours has failed in a new way. shorting out intermittently and drawing your volts down. it's worth a look anyway. try smelling it to see if you get a burning plastic smell.

JPRobertsons

as this happens with a running engine and you don't mention having any poor starts.

vineetk

sometimes my car does have problems starting, which i forgot to mention. so maybe this could be the battery. i will test the alternator and battery first. any other input is welcome. thanks!

vineetk

sometimes when i turn the heater on i do smell a very faint burning smell... could this be what you are talking about?

JAFO

the combi switch is easily accessed check the tech section for cleaning instructions. as i said it's worth a check as it's much easier than removing the alternator.

A4darkness

Was searching for some info and ran across your post. Not sure how things are going a month later, but regardless - I'm sure the posts here are correct, but I had a similar issue with a high volt meter and a flux. ABS lite. It came and went. Unfortunately, it was on went I hit the brakes a bit abruptly and everything locked up. Wound up sliding into a curb and doing some pretty serious damage to the wheel, suspension, sub-frame etc.

Turns out my ABS module was going and was subject to shutting down. Not so good. If it's still persisting, have it checked out. I've NEVER had any problems stopping or avoiding anything within reason and sans ABS, well, you get the idea.