Hi everyone - I'm hoping to draw on your experience to help me resolve an electrical problem.

I've just got myself a 2002 S3 (8L) which after only a few days of ownership is fast becoming the best car I've owned!

The only thing is, the lights kind of 'pulsate' in time with the engine.

It's not only the dashboard lights. It's the interior lights, the sidelights...I've never seen anything like it before and I suspect it's either the alternator or the battery.

I had to drive her about 200 miles to get her home from the dealer, and having left her outside the house overnight, I went out the next morning and having only been in the car a couple of minutes playing about with the lights and electric seat adjusters, when I went to turn on the engine it struggled to start and I ended up having to put the battery on charge.

Now even with the battery fully charged the lights still pulsate when the engine is running. Is it likely that the battery needs replacing? Or do I need to change the alternator?

Any suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks!

 

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