1990 Audi Won't Start
#1
01-11-2009 | 12:42 AM
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Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4
1990 Audi Won't Start
It started getting cold and my battery died. I figured it was because I needed a new one. I got a new battery and it started okay the first couple times. I got it to work one night and it started up fine when I left.. but than it started acting like it was going to die. The alternator sign came up on my computer check and I made it home and no sooner I shut off the car it was dead again and it hasn't moved since.
I hooked the battery up to a charger just to start the car for awhile. The car started up perfectly fine after I charged it. My stepdad told me to take the positive cable off of the battery and if the car continued to run than it wasn't the alternator. I removed the cable and the car kept running.. but acted like it kind of wanted to die, but it didn't. I was able to start the car about 5 more times until it was dead again.
I'm wondering if the alternator could be draining the battery? Is there anywhere I could find a cheap,cheap alternator for a 1990 Audi V8 Quattro??
I hooked the battery up to a charger just to start the car for awhile. The car started up perfectly fine after I charged it. My stepdad told me to take the positive cable off of the battery and if the car continued to run than it wasn't the alternator. I removed the cable and the car kept running.. but acted like it kind of wanted to die, but it didn't. I was able to start the car about 5 more times until it was dead again.
I'm wondering if the alternator could be draining the battery? Is there anywhere I could find a cheap,cheap alternator for a 1990 Audi V8 Quattro??
#2
01-15-2009 | 10:34 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 337
From:
sorry but your stepdad is a complete moron ignorant *******. If you want to get your car straight to the junkyard his way is the better way to do it.
NEVER EVER unplug the battery while the car is running. The alternator will ''not see'' the battery anymore and it will max out the charge he is sending to the battery and when you replug the positive cable back on the battery then it will send to the rest of the car a tension WAY over 12V wich in the worst case scenario will burn your computer, melt your wires, destroy fuses and god knows what else.
If you want my opinion, take the car to somebody who knows how to test your alternator. I bad connection or a bad ground could make the alternator to work more or less.
And btw and alternator is charging a battery not discharging.
NEVER EVER unplug the battery while the car is running. The alternator will ''not see'' the battery anymore and it will max out the charge he is sending to the battery and when you replug the positive cable back on the battery then it will send to the rest of the car a tension WAY over 12V wich in the worst case scenario will burn your computer, melt your wires, destroy fuses and god knows what else.
If you want my opinion, take the car to somebody who knows how to test your alternator. I bad connection or a bad ground could make the alternator to work more or less.
And btw and alternator is charging a battery not discharging.
#3
01-18-2009 | 12:18 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 21
CIA why do YOU want to be a complete moron ignorant ******* to towards Samantha's stepdad ? What did he ever do to you? Chill.... And learn how to spell!
#4
01-19-2009 | 01:13 AM
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1
From: Western Pennsylvania, United States
Hello, I thought his comment about your stepdad was funny, but sorry he said it anyway if you like your stepdad...
on to the inquiry...
Audi's in the 90's era are prone to electrical problems.
Sounds to me like you have a short somewhere.
on to the inquiry...
Audi's in the 90's era are prone to electrical problems.
Sounds to me like you have a short somewhere.
#5
01-27-2009 | 08:27 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 337
From:
2DUCS,
well, he did nothing to me, but by suggesting to disconnect the batt. that way, its about the worst thing you could do to a car if you want to fry the entire electrical system
Its not at him that i am ''angry''...its more his stupidity that i dont swallow.
We use to do that procedure ''disconnetion of the batt." in the 50 and 60 to see if the alternator is charging. Now if you use that OLD and useless procedure, then expect the pay for a lot more than only an alternator.
Anyway, if you have other suggestions please go ahead and enlight me.
well, he did nothing to me, but by suggesting to disconnect the batt. that way, its about the worst thing you could do to a car if you want to fry the entire electrical system
Its not at him that i am ''angry''...its more his stupidity that i dont swallow.
We use to do that procedure ''disconnetion of the batt." in the 50 and 60 to see if the alternator is charging. Now if you use that OLD and useless procedure, then expect the pay for a lot more than only an alternator.
Anyway, if you have other suggestions please go ahead and enlight me.
#6
02-07-2009 | 11:59 PM
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 222
From: Richmond, Vermont
it is possible that a bad alternator could cause the battery to drain...well not exactly but it can cause the car to have to run off the battery. which its not suppose to do. if the alternator is bad then it wont put out enough juice and then the car will draw it from the battery...and then drain the battery. That would be my guess.
#7
02-08-2009 | 10:51 AM
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,371
From: Newfields NH
If the diodes in the alternator are bad they might leak current backwards and drain the battery, BUT IT IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY!!!
Most likely causes.. 1. System not charging - Bad alternator or loose belt 2. slow drain on the system - short in the system - or light on someplace -
Go to Autozone and and have them check the battery and charging system to eliminate #1. #2 takes a bit if detetive work...
PS I agree that CIA was way out of line... There are better ways to tell you that disconnecting the battery while the vehicle is running whith out personal attacks.
If you are up for used parts or are willing to DIY there are numerous places to get things shipped to you. I use Force Five in Concord NH for new and used Audi parts. Talk with Chris...
Most likely causes.. 1. System not charging - Bad alternator or loose belt 2. slow drain on the system - short in the system - or light on someplace -
Go to Autozone and and have them check the battery and charging system to eliminate #1. #2 takes a bit if detetive work...
PS I agree that CIA was way out of line... There are better ways to tell you that disconnecting the battery while the vehicle is running whith out personal attacks.
If you are up for used parts or are willing to DIY there are numerous places to get things shipped to you. I use Force Five in Concord NH for new and used Audi parts. Talk with Chris...
Last edited by NH_USA; 02-08-2009 at 10:56 AM.
#9
03-25-2009 | 01:09 PM
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,371
From: Newfields NH
it is possible that a bad alternator could cause the battery to drain...well not exactly but it can cause the car to have to run off the battery. which its not suppose to do. if the alternator is bad then it wont put out enough juice and then the car will draw it from the battery...and then drain the battery. That would be my guess.
I replaced and alternator with a used one and everything seemed to work OK in the evening. In the morning the battery was dead. I connected the battery charger and began to remove the alternator. When I touched it I was suprised to find that it was warm - most likey an internal short.
A new alternator fixed the problem.
