Picked up my RS6 and broke down after 50 miles - HELP

[marv8]

Hi all,

Picked up my 03 RS6 from an independent garage yesterday morning, headed across the Dartford crossing in heavy traffic (a lot of stop/go).
I noticed the battery voltage seemed to spike at about 14.5 then dipped to about 10. Did this a couple of times then battery light came on (now starting to get concerned). The display then beeped and showed a picture of the headlight with a line through it, i started to pull over an car went in to limp mode with no electrics.
Turned off ignition to see is it re-set but not enough power to turn over the engine so called the RAC. Car is now sitting at the Audi garage in Canterbury, hoping it is just a warn battery or alternator!
Anyone else had this before?
Also had a couple of jerky shifts when changed down to 1st in auto - kind of hope it is all related and simple to resolve. Have an RAC warranty but as it was only purchased yesterday with the car unsure how much it will cover.

Sorry about long post - just really want to be able to drive my new car - and hope i have not bought a wrong-un!

PS 2003 saloon, 45k with full Audi SH

[souL]

I had this 2 times before aswell(RS4 B5). Made an appointment in the Audi garage, they only had time in 2 weeks. So I'm carrying a battery starter with me in case it happens again.

[marv8]

Thanks for the heads up, just had a look at other forum pages and seems the alternator is a common problem. Guess things going wrong are to be expected with a 7 year old car! Think I may have to chuck a couple of £ at the car to get it as good as it can be but when it was running it did put a big smile on my face!

[Fingers01]

Have you spoken to the dealer you bought it from. Faults in the very first days if not weeks of ownership you can normally get fixed by the selling dealership. Certainly you should have some redress after just 50 miles!!

East Kent Audi @ Canterbury know what they are doing but remember labour rate is £110.00 plus VAT and they do love to round the hours work up!!! Does your RAC warranty pay out that much?

Does sound like the alternator is starting to pack up on you?

Best of luck , deep breath and all that, welcome to the RS6 ownership of surprises, money pit blah blah blah......... But it's a fantatsic car for all seasons.

M

[HYFR]

its the alternator...it seems to go like clockwork at this age

expect £800+ from Audi

[grizz]

They're £259+vat exchange ... They were on back order ..

[marv8]

B*gger just found out that the warranty does not kick in for 14 days - oh well expensive 50 miles!
Thanks for the feedback - really usefull as this is my 1st Audi - had jap sports cars before my current saab. RS6 is a different league than my previous quick cars (honda prelude, nissan 200sx turbo, 300zx twin turbo), just hope this is not going to be another love hate relationship!

[morginator]

I had exavctly the same last year and it was the alternator. Closed the A299 for 30 minutes as there was no hard sholder and the Police did a rolling road block until the AA towed me home. Got my local boys (not Audi) to buy Audi part and fit it for me. came to just over £400.

[marv8]

The RAC would not tow me - claimed it was due to 4WD. Rekon the bloke just wanted to slope off home, anyway ended up on a low loader!
Audi called me today and said they should be able to look at it in "a couple of days". I asked if they could run a diagnostic to see if parts were needed and had a resounding NO! Funnily enough she did say that breakdowns are seen in the order they arrive and there were 3 other last weekend - not really selling the Audi brand on relaibility!

[Fingers01]

The RAC would not tow me - claimed it was due to 4WD. Rekon the bloke just wanted to slope off home, anyway ended up on a low loader

RAC man was absolutely right never never tow a permanent 4WD car it will completely ***k the transmission, propshafts gear box and it will cost thousands to fix, read story once of the AA towing 4WD audi, lifted fronts on trolley and wnen it arrived at AUDI for repairs were then informed of the complete demolition of the transmission - they paid out no quibbles.

You should always flat bed a permanent 4WD you should not even tow them with all four wheels down on the tramac either.

[marv8]

Thanks for the info, kind of hope that this will be the last time it needs a rescue! Well unless the gearbox goes then I will insist on a tow and try and blame it on them....

[HYFR]

is there any way to prove the alternator was bust before you drove it?

as it could have been and the dealer could have just charged the battery ?

[marv8]

Right just had a call from Audi Canterbury - £850 to fit the new alternator including parts. They have also suggested a few hoses etc need replacing so am expecting the total quote to be well north of £1500.
Spoke to a transmission guy the other day and he suggested if it is in the garage i should consider getting the gearbox oil and filter replaced - any thoughts?
FYI East Kent Audi now charge £115 and hour - I am expecting a full rub down and hand polish for that (and I am not talking about the car)!

[lynchy]

why dont you try MRC or Unit 20 for the work... i would never go to the audi dealers complete rip- off !

[marv8]

Latest update......
Got the car delivered to kim Collins at qst - really great guy and knows his stuff. Turns out some muppet had taken the engine out and had not reconnected many of the electrics, intercooler ducts etc. Going to have to roll up my sleeves and fight it out with the garage I bought the car from and/or the warrant company as cost to get the car straight.........wait for it........£8104 including vat!
Needs new gearbox and basically a shed load of parts and hours.
Think I may have a "pup" on my hands!
Ironically kim has called Audi Glasgow who serviced the car from new and it is alredy on it's second gearbox and set of turbos, new ones fitted in 07. Surely that's a new record, new parts every 3 1/2 years and 20k miles!!!
Some help/advice on gearbox would be welcome as if the warranty pays out it is limited to 3k. New box from Audi 2917 plus vat and then a lot of hours to fit.
I am off for a strong drink!