2001 Audi A6 Alternator

CHRIST98

MEMBER
2001 AUDI A6
6 CYL
AWD
AUTOMATIC
90,000 MILES

My alternator recently died in my Audi A6. After looking over the amount of time it would take to personally change it I took it to a shop to replace it. It worked great for two days and then I reved the car up to between 5000 and 6000 rpms in a low gear and the alternator light came on again. I took it to the shop and they said it might be defective. When ever I use the car now - I start the car and the alternator light is on showing that it's off and the battery is at 11.5 volts. Then I rev the car in park to about 6000 rpms and it turns the alternator on, the battery jumps back up to about 14.5 volts and it will stay on for the entire drive until I shut the car off and need to use it again. Any ideas on what this problem may be?

1 Reply

IMPALASS

MECHANIC
3,112 POSTS

Hello

Based off of the information you have provided I would say it is your belt tensioner that needs to be replaced and I would also replace the belt. The belt tensioner keeps tension on the serpentine belt that is around all of the pulleys. I believe the belt is doing more "slipping" around the alternator pulley (thus the low volts) than actually turning it due to the tensioner spring being old and worn.