Alternator or battery problem, 90 2.2KV

Newbie Joined: Apr 27, 2003 Posts: 15 Location: UK

Hope someone can advise here...
The alternator light on my 90 begins to come on at 5000rpm when accelerating hard to the point that just before 6000 it is like hitting a limiter. The belt was changed and now it only happens when the lights are on at night ie more current drain. Could this be the regulator on the alternator or something else. What spec battery/ alternator should I have on this car?
Secondly , anyone have a n/s front foglamp for a 90. I was also considering a late shape coupe bumper, (with built in spoiler), but can't find one anywhere.
Thanks in advance, Jools

Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2003 11:17 pm

Sounds like the belt is incorrectly adjusted.
It may be the regulator - only sure way is to try. They only cost about 20 quid from a Bosch outlet.

Alternator is a 90A on that car. Battery should be strong enough to provide cranking power (300A +) when cold and take full load. 63 Ah or greater

Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2003 6:13 pm

mine does the same at about 4500-5000 rpm, so i have been told it is the reg pack vibrating loose, how and why i don't know but i've been and got one but havn't got around to fitting it yet.
so your not alone on that one!!!

UltraUser Joined: Jan 21, 2003 Posts: 4228

Last one I bought cost around £12, it takes aorund 5 minutes to fit brushes included. Evil or Very Mad

Newbie Joined: Apr 27, 2003 Posts: 15 Location: UK

Thanks for the replies guys, esp MikeS2 , who has always helped with any posts I've made. Been away this week, but hope to get the Audi checked next week. Cool

Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2003 8:18 pm

at long last i got around to fittng a reg pack, and guess what.......no different?? it looks like its the original alternator on there and i was wondering if worn bearings could cause this fault as it only happens at high rpm???
also does anyone know what the alternator is on my vechicle (90, 2.0 5cyd 8 Cool

and if its fitted to any other vechicles.
thanks very much in advance

Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2003 9:59 pm

depends if you have aircon...

w/o air con... 90A Bosch 034 903 016 D
c/w air con... 110A Bosch 034 903 015 F

These have been superceeded with...

w/o aircon... 034 903 017
c/w aircon... 034 903 017 B

The 90A versions can certainly be found on 2.2, 2.3 and 2.3 20v 5 cyl cars (probably others too) and the 110A versions are certainly listed for the "5 cyl c/w aircon".

So I think with some looking around the breakers you should be able to find something suitable in a 90/Coupe/100.

Hope this helps

cheers

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2003 7:39 am

My experience with alternator bearings is that they get very noisy when on the way out. If the pulley spins nice and quietly and there is no discernable free play, I would be looking at the slip rings the brushes bear against. The old brushes may have worn a groove into the slip rings such that new brushes do not make good contact. As the RPM goes up the brushes bounce causing the charge light to flicker on. The same thing may have been happening with the old brushes if they had worn down such that there was insufficient spring tension to hold them against the slip rings. By the time you have replaced the bearings, turned down the slip rings and tested or replaced the regulator pack, that recon alternator at the local auto electrician will be looking very attractive.

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2003 9:03 am

thanks guys you have comfirmed my suspicion's that a new alternator is needed, time to raid the piggy bank.
cheers mark.

Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2003 8:42 am

i've now found a company very near me who rebuilds alternators and will do mine for the sum of £50.00 all in. if anyone else needs a starter or alternator rebuilt at a good price pm me and i'll give you the details.

Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2003 1:30 pm

This problem of a flickering charge light isn't only found on Audis. The same happens on Golfs & Polos too. Should it be the regulator (with the bushes) youll find that the red light stays on at idle, goes of when revd. You'll also find that your headlights seem "brighter" as the regulator is letting out more volts than allowed. For the charge light to flicker at higher revs, I'd say the plate or windings in the alternator are shot, and are spinning out along with worn bearings.
Golfs had the added luxury of oil dropping from cam cover gaslets, then into the alternator, then onto the armature where the bushes fitted, and gradually ground it all down...new alternator. Smile

HTH