Alternator failure

[cpt_splash]

Drove to work this morning, and in 3 miles, the battery light was on, and the Volts dropped 13 to 8.5V! Called the friendly AA who despatched Mr. Smiley and he reckoned the Alternator had failed and was swopping polarity randomly. Is now at the garage awaiting new part.

I have only had the car 10 days. Bugger!!! Anyone else had the same problem? Graham

[flashyg]

yep at 40k.it made a right rattle up close on the low left side.

[Golich]

Not something I've read about before.

PS your car looks VERY clean - nice

[cpt_splash]

Did anyone know that to change the alternator, the whole front end of the car has to come off? It is going to be in the garage for a bit longer now....

[Fud]

I know this thread is a bit old but does anyone else have any experience of this? My RS4 is doing exactly what Graham described above and I'm hoping it's just the voltage regulator playing up which can be changed for about £30 rather than hundres for the alternator.

Any info appreciated!

[A20LEE]

on of the guys on detailing world had an alternator go too on his RS4 B5

[mattsimis]

Did anyone know that to change the alternator, the whole front end of the car has to come off? It is going to be in the garage for a bit longer now....

I changed the alternator on our Allroad (also 2.7T engine) about 2 mths ago, you can get it from the bottom by swinging the radiator out to the service position. This is the same on B5 and C5 chassis. Took the weekend (wasnt in a rush and Im just a hobbyist), but was a fun job.