alternator test

[ryster]

hi there , i 've got alternator / battery problems . is there a test i can do to see if the alternator is working properly? i have charged battery and it seems to be holding charge . I've put it back on the car and started it runs fine , but the volt meter is reading just below 12v and drops down very quickly if i use the lights etc. this is why i;m thinking alternator .
any help would be much apreciated cheers

Ps , if it is altrenator does anyone have a good aby one for sale .

[Markarina]

in most cases it's just the voltage regulator if you can get at it then it's a cheap part to replace (£15).

[quattronutter]

brushes could also be worn out,these are cheap too,worth trying a voltage regulator and brushes as you can get at these without taking alternator off

[s2driveruk]

Yeah sounds like that, same symptoms as mine was back at the start of the year. You can check if it is charging by checking the battery voltage whilst the car is on at idle, should read more than 12v using a multimeter in order to be charging.

If you do end up changing the regulator, there is a 14.4v version which gives a stronger charge.....search for it and there will be a thread with the partnumbers i posted up

[ryster]

cheers lads , is the voltage regulator on the back of the alternator can i test it and how ?. I 'd like to try and fix it first before getting another unit

[ryster]

can i get voltage regulator 14.4 v version from vag parts do you think

[s2driveruk]

Here you go, tests and part numbers/pictures of the 15v vr (not 14.4 my mistake) for all s2 variants

http://www.s2forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19577&highlight=alternator&page=2

Cheers
David

[caterpillar]

15v reg gives ca 14,8volt in the car....measured att the battery/ v 2500rpm

[johne]

Having a 15v regulator will seriously shorten your battery life and give you no advantage except possibly brighter headlights and if you want those, fit HIDs.

[caterpillar]

15v regulator = 14,7-14,8

Having a 15v regulator will seriously shorten your battery life and give you no advantage except possibly brighter headlights and if you want those, fit HIDs.

check out the acid weight....have used this for years, no prob....
brighter lights, easier start, lower fuelconsumptions....
14,4 gives about 1,250 inthe acid weigts... read half loadet batteri....
the newer cars does have a lot of eletric users, so i will have the batteri fullloadet; read 1,275-1,280........
if you by a new generator with the 14,0 regulator; YOU WILL FOR SURE SHORTEN THE BATTERY LIFE..

[S2central.net]

Oh its this old chestnut again...

[Al Wyn]

Ryster pm me buddy i will check i `might` have one...

[ryster]

cheers lads for input it was the voltage regulator . i fitted it today i went for the 14.4 v the same as what came out of it , from vag parts it was about 45 quid . It took about ten days to arrive though but atleast she back on the road know and all is well

[Nuvo]

45 pounds? You can buy genuine Bosch ones for 10 pounds. You probably didn't want to know that.

[ryster]

couldn't be arsed to look just wanted the quickest / easyest way to fix it . That was for the hole unit and new brushes . vag parts isn't the cheapest place