YOU need cheering up, wait till you get this...

[lindowkid]

I'm not having a great time, just been picked up by a low loader at Jnc 3 on the M25 on my way home from eliteTyres after finally getting my wheels alignment sorted.

I can't believe how unlucky I seem to be - This little Fiesta RS whizzed past me on the A13 and I couldn't help but give him a run for his money and as I was booting it (without breaking the speed limit of course) there was a load clunk and loss of power, dashboard lit up like a christmas tree, screemed (!) warning, then recovered leaving the alternator light on and then the ABS and then the ASR, then just the alternator light and the battery warning light. I made it about 5 miles as the battery slowly drained and left me stranded at the Swanley roundabout.

Anyway now its on the road outside, battery on charge which with any luck might get it started and provide enough power to get it into the drive, which the low loader couldn't manage.

Whats the diagnosis folks ? Is it just the alternator ? Anyone got a good idea as to how I get it to a good garage ? and the usual cost prediction woudl be welcome...

[Cornishmoocher]

<beep>- sorry to hear this matey. Unfortunately i have no pearls of wisdom on this one... maybe Grizz will be along in a bit......

[HYFR]

sounds like the altenator...is due to go at circa 6 years....costs £800 at audi....happened to me

[lindowkid]

I've had altenators go before on other cars and the experience was exactly the same, just never on such a performance car and the thump and loss of power was very dramatic. But that said i was probably doing the upper end of the speed limit... and its 2 tons of power so its going to have a bit of an effect if the power generator pops like a light bulb.

Following from my earlier post, the battery has now charged and just started it fine and moved it onto the drive. Started and ran fine so I think its the alernator. Just need the part cost and I'll get my man to fit it for me.

[turbonutter68]

My dealer stung me for £600 plus VAT fitted, but i am in the provinces!! Hope you get it sorted.

[Shoppinit]

Does sound like the alternator. Mine was done at about that age, too. They're getting good at designing these parts to die at the specified time, aren't they?

[Golffather]

Alternator - same with me earlier in the year.
£1k invoice covered by Audi warranty thank god!

[jd_hants]

Yep - seems quite common once car is around the 6 year mark. I was in the outside lane M25 around lunchtime on a saturday, luckily very slow moving traffic. Dash just lit up and then car stopped. Not even enough juice for the hazzards!! AA put brand new (but very small) battery in to get it off the motorway. Got 6 miles - battery flat as anything. New alternator £700 fitted by Audi.

[lindowkid]

Jd - must have been the day for it! Where did you get yours done the Audi Bromley garage just quoted £750 inc.

[morginator]

I closed a local dual carriageway when my alternator went,lit up like a christmas tree, bang on 6 years old. I got my local garage (not audi) to replace the alternator with an audi part and they charged me £450.

[SteveCuz]

Is this something you might consider changing before it goes?

Trouble is if you have warranty they won't pay for a proventative change will they.

Just concerned about it going while in the middle of nowhere!!

Steve

[Rupert]

Is this something you might consider changing before it goes?

Trouble is if you have warranty they won't pay for a proventative change will they.

Just concerned about it going while in the middle of nowhere!!

Steve

So was I, so I paid to have mine replaced when the gearbox was out. It was around £350 because I saved on most of the labour. Really glad I did now, reading this thread

[mrmule]

Read my experiance here:

http://rs246.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB ... highlight=

I bought the genuine part from audi, on exchange, and refitted it myself. Very easy.