Let me preface this with the fact that I am not auto-literate...

So about a year ago my alternator went out on my 2001 Audi A6 2.8. I got the alternator replaced and thought the problem was fixed. Eventually the information screen on the dash has several lines through it (as if it is not getting enough power). The Bose speaker system also begins to sound un-amplified over time. Eventually the whole car's systema go out, power steering and everything. If I jump the car the screen returns to mint condition and the speakers sound perfect for a couple drives.

This same scenario keeps happening to me; a total of four times. Every time this happens, the garage I take it to replaces the alternator as it is still under warranty, they cannot seem to locate the problem.

So as the problem is happening again for the fourth time I need an Audi experts help. Could it be a bad alternator brand? Could it be another problem?

 

Sorry to hear you are having such problems. But the shop you are using are idiots. It seems extremely unlikely that your alternator would fail 2,3, or even 4 times. I don't know what the problem is, but start by taking it somewhere else.

Welcome to the forums and I'm sure someone will provide some useful advice soon.

Jeff

 

Most likely the problem is in the ground between the motor and chassie but as Jelfa says find someone that knows what they are doing...

 

i met a guy thats a audi tech in my neighbor hood cause i was having the same problem but it was the bearings in the alternator. the audi tech told me that our cars have a problem with the ground on the alternator ( just like nh said ). good luck with the alternator cause i have personally changed mine twice and its not fun.

 

Next time it happens, get an independent opinion by taking it to Autozone and having them run an alternator and battery test (for free). I lost my alternator at 65k when I impacted a pothole (strange, but I felt and saw it on my voltimeter) and the remanufactured unit is still going strong at 140k, four years later. Agree that you should check out the alternator AND battery grounds.

 

^^ Agree

 

Fix the ground strap between the motor and chassie -- Remove both ends of the strap - clean all surfaces until you see the metal shine and replace the strap. Get it tight but don't strip the bolts!

 

just wondering if you could replace the ground with thicker gauge wire? the only thing i could think of is like 4 gauge ground wire.

 

Replacing it with a thicker wire will not help. It is the connection. You could put a 1 inch cable it there and if the connection isn't clean you'll have the same problem.