Early signs of ALTERNATOR going BAD?

[jedi_sol]

Hi Guys,

My 1996 q is in trouble again. Over the past few weeks, the car would randomly have a lot of trouble starting. Just last week, i replaced the battery and the problem went away for a while. Now, its back again.

Im pretty sure its the alternator this time. One night while waiting in a parking lot, i had the a/c and radio on... then the engine suddenly shuts off. I tried to start it, but it just kept cranking. I read in the manual to never let it crank for more than 10sec as to not damage the alternator. So i let it crank for about 5 sec.... then stop...then crank again for 5 sec...then stop..until it eventually started back up. Then today, i drove it all day, but with a/c and radio turned off... the car started 6 times with no problems. Finally, on the way home from running errands, i had the a/c and radio on while waiting at a red light and the engine shuts off again.

It seems like the car always gives me trouble when the a/c or radio is on.

Does this sound like an alternator problem?

Thanx,James

[Jesda]

Did you put the battery on a charger before installing it? If the alternator is failing, your dashboard will light up like a christmas tree.

[jedi_sol]

Did you put the battery on a charger before installing it?

You know...i actually tried taking it to a few places around here, but they all refused to charge it. I tell the guy "i just want to charge it a little bit so i know it has a full charge." But they said "Itll be good if its off the shelf." ASSES! I guess ill try to take it to a few more places.

If the alternator is failing, your dashboard will light up like a christmas tree.

Call me stupid... but could you elaborate on that?

James

[Jeff Williams]

Warning lights usually start lighting up, like TCS, Brake, Air Bag, etc when the battery starts to go.

Does the engine struggle to maintain idle when the A/C is on? If so, it could be the compressor going bad, and pulling the engine down.

Just about any auto parts store should be able to check your alternator for free.

[DrewQ45]

I had an alternator fail years ago.

It's actually a subtle warning... intermittent flashing of the red brake light as if the parking brake has been engaged a notch or two... the flashing gets stronger and brighter as total failure grows more imminent.

Many don't recommend this, but the old school (bad) method for testing an alternator, was to remove the neg batter cable while the car is still running. If the car dies, alternator is bad. With a Q's heavy eletronics and all, I don't know if it's a good idea. Take it somewhere good and have it tested.

With all that said, I don't believe your problem to be the alternator. If your alternator wasn't doing it's job, your battery would be dead or near death.

[elwesso]

It seems more like a fuel related thing, either fuel pump/filter or MAF

[Chansen]

most batterys are not fully charged when you buy them fyi

[Jesda]

You know...i actually tried taking it to a few places around here, but they all refused to charge it. I tell the guy "i just want to charge it a little bit so i know it has a full charge." But they said "Itll be good if its off the shelf." ASSES! I guess ill try to take it to a few more places.

I bought an automatic charger. Whenever I get a new battery, I plug it in. I learned the hard way after I killed a couple of them thinking they were defective.

Side note: Everstart (Wal-Mart brand) batteries are not only the cheapest, but among the highest rated. Consumer Reports "Best Buy" in multiple categories.

[3Q Jay]

James, do you have a dvm? that can help diagnose a lot. e-mail me if you want to bring it by.

Jay

[jedi_sol]

It seems more like a fuel related thing, either fuel pump/filter or MAF

I just replaced the feul pump and fuel filter last month, both OEM from IoS. Maybe its a loose connection, ill check it out.

James, do you have a dvm? that can help diagnose a lot. e-mail me if you want to bring it by.

Jay

DVM? I don't think i do, haha. Check your email.

most batterys are not fully charged when you buy them fyi

That's what i was afraid of.