Emergency Alternator Question

Fri Sep 28 08:16:25 UTC 2018

Hi

Although the Alternator Failure hasn't returned I now have a new symptom of
something that has gone awry

When switching on the ignition, the 'bulb check' only lasts for half a
second before the the dash changes to 'engine running' status, although it
hasn't been started

This means I have flashing central warning lamp for low oil pressure

This has never happened before, and definitely coincides with the
alternator failure yesterday

It is unlikely that I am going to go out of my way to try to fix this, but
if it has a known cause then that would be very useful to know

Paul
87 S4 Manual

On Thu, 27 Sep 2018 at 12:31, Simon <simon at acs-online.co.uk> wrote:

> Cool!!
>
> Driving is better than washing & polishing!. Never wash the car before
> going on something critical like two days at the ring! As you know I have
> turned up in my green one very dirty and just love driving it and
> maintaining it but even though it is usually dirtier the rain it is still
> admired!
>
> Before the 40th anniversary me last year I got someone to wash my black
> GTS which is never ever let me down and I told him not to squirt too much
> water over the windscreen and bonnet and guess what he did. And water got
> in somewhere and I was up all night rectifying the problem and arrived late
> at lunchtime.
>
> And on my green car I washed it in Devon which had very high water
> pressure and the brains got wet and had to be sorted out. . All because of
> washing. Grrr!!  Geoff Symonds very kindly lent me two of his.
>
> Have a great time! Be back with you next year Paul.
>
> Best
> Simon
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On 27 Sep 2018, at 12:15, Paul <ukkid35 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> I agree with you - Leave Well Alone!
>
> Done several more laps without issue so I think Smiffy is right
>
> My mistake was putting the car through the car wash and then driving just
> 100 yards before leaving it overnight
>
> Water must have pooled somewhere and then caused a soaking once the hard
> cornering started
>
> On the second red flag now, but the weather is great so will be enjoying
> the sun during the break
>
> Paul
> 87 S4 Manual
>
>
> On Thu, 27 Sep 2018 at 11:13, Simon <simon at acs-online.co.uk> wrote:
>
>> PS. I have just re-read your email. If the alternator is working now I
>> would leave everything well alone and only do actions if it fails again.
>> Good luck and all the best,
>> Simon
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>> On 27 Sep 2018, at 11:09, Simon <simon at acs-online.co.uk> wrote:
>>
>> Oh no! Poor you, you don’t have much luck at the Ring do you mate?
>>
>> I have some thoughts.
>> 1. Why bother with the heated rear screen? Sometimes the relay sticks and
>> causes trouble so I would pull the relay.
>> 2. Go and buy a spare battery and a charger. I would’ve thought both
>> batteries would last you for the day even if the alternator is not chucking
>> power out. It may come on and off and charge from time to time. I expect
>> Darren would let you plug your other battery and charger in at Mission
>> control in the Ring Taxi office.
>> 3. Wiggle the alternator fuse and relay if they exist.
>> 4. Disconnect the battery and loosen off the jumpstart terminal and
>> wiggle/clean all the wires on it.
>> 5. I know this is emergency stuff and not good practice but you are in
>> that situation now. Try spraying some WD-40 into the alternator that might
>> just clean up the contacts on the brushes or something or even belt the
>> thing with a hammer & 1/2 inch drive extension bar and get a new one when
>> you get home. !
>> This is only what I would do in an emergency. But it is an emergency
>> because you have paid a lot of money and gone all the way out there and you
>> need to get the laps in mate!
>>
>> GGOD LUCK!!!!
>> Say hi to my favourite place on Earth. I LOVE the Ring and sorry not to
>> be there this time.
>>
>> All the best Paul & in haste as I am away, Best regards Simon
>>
>> PS if you need me to look up fuse really charts or anything like that
>> email me and I will try and help.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>> > On 27 Sep 2018, at 08:30, Paul <ukkid35 at gmail.com> wrote:
>> >
>> > Hi
>> >
>> > The alternator cut out half way through my first lap at the Ring
>> >
>> > I kept going and about 2 or 3 mins later it came back again, and has
>> been working for last 20 miles or so
>> >
>> > Symptoms were alternator light on, voltage gauge at min, tacho pegged
>> at 5k
>> >
>> > The car was fine first thing in the morning, and I switch on
>> everything: lights, rear defrost, front defrost etc
>> >
>> > But 20 mins later during the first lap the alternator fails
>> >
>> > I did put the car through a car wash last night, but the jump start
>> terminal does have the cover, and the multi-way plug was dry when I checked
>> it just now
>> >
>> > Belt tension is good, no sign of contamination, and no weird noises
>> >
>> > Any suggestions as to the cause?
>> >
>> > Any predictions about what might happen next?
>> >
>> > Thanks - Paul
>> > 87 S4 Manual
>> >
>>
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