S4 died last night while driving, confirming it's the alternator...

[Klum00]

I’m going home on 695 and accelerate to pass a car. I hear some sort of noise (a popping almost) and loose acceleration instantly. First thought is that I blew a turbo, but then I look down and my brake, traction control and battery lights are on. I’m close to an exit so I get off the highway as soon as possible. As I’m exiting I notice that my power steering is starting to go on me, power braking as well. Basically I get the car to the end of ramp which dumps off into a residential area and turn it off.

My battery is still showing a bit over 12volts with all the lights and radio working find in the car. Problem is it won’t start, or even attempt to. I turn the ignition to fire it up and get absolutely nothing. This was at night and working with a maglite from what I can tell the accessory belt looks fine.

I’m thinking that the alternator is toast but have a few questions. Can you “blow” an alternator with the extra power needed for acceleration? Also I’d think that the car would try and start off the battery, meaning it would crank just not stay on for very long? Maybe the pulley on the alternator is frozen which is preventing the accessory belt from turning? I also put in a front mount intercooler this weekend, but have driven the car a solid 100+ miles since this incident, so I’m doubting it caused anything and this is just a shitty coincidence.

Can anyone confirm that this is my alternator before I go buy one. I’d get out there with a volt meter to check, but the car is a good 20 mins away and I have no ride at the moment.

[highPSI-S4]

Aaron, i think you
Blew an intercooler hose was my first guess but after reading more....I hate to say it but it sounds like a timing belt issue just from how you describe it and from my personal experience.

hope it just an alternator. When mine went it wouldn't crank either i had to but a new battery and alternator

goodluck, and report back your findings.

[audimeister]

Doesn't sound like bad alternator. Never had one in an S4, but in other cars the alternator goes, then the car runs on battery until that dies.

[Klum00]

yeah that had crossed my mind too, but i'm praying that's not the case...

[seadoo4563]

how far are you from my shop? im on rt40 in catonsville. ill can test the battery an alt real quick for you so you can rule that out if its not. or come borrow my jump box and see if you can get it to start

[highPSI-S4]

when you heard the pop did the car jerk at all or did you feel the pop when it happened?

[Klum00]

Ben, its on leeds road, just off of washington (rt 1), i was coming from my buddies place off of 40. I might do that actually, PM me your phone number if you don't mind...

Vern, I don't remember any kind of jerk more just heard it and then wasn't accelerating. I'm hoping this means I popped an intercooler hose, but i don't see where the dying power steering and braking comes in...

[seadoo4563]

ok sent. gimme a call ill be in the shop till 5 so anytime until then is cool

[highPSI-S4]

intercooler hose wouldn't cause the last part to happen, so i'm keeping my fingers crossed for you.

alternator FTW

[Klum00]

actually val said her ex had the same problem and it was a hose, i'm gonna borrow a car right now to see if i can figure it out...

[Whitseml]

Now I'm relatively new to S4's but with my experience with the alternator on my Jetta, when it died it never popped and you could still at least hear the starter click and none of the electronics would work since the battery was dead. It doesn't really sound like an alternator issue but lets just hope your timing belt didn't break or jump.

[2k1audiS4]

My serpentine belt blew off the week before H2O and I could still start and drive the car(my battery light came on as well). I drove it 20 mile to induktion. If a pully seized up I would think it would have schreded your serp belt. Sounds like one of three things:

-Your power sterring pump seized causing you to loose power sterring and stopping your serp belt from working causing the battery light to come on
-your starter sezied
-your t-belt blew

A family freind of ours has a repair/towing company right by crazy rays in b-more. he has a roll back if you want me to call him he would probably give you good rate. Give me a ring at 443-618-7638 if you want me to make the call. GL man

[Evilevo]

As i said on AD. Check all your intercooler hoses. Ants lower pipe blew off and the car completely shut off. And wouldnt idle after that.

[blmlozz]

if it were your altenator you'd have a dead battery after that little bit of driving, when the alt in my 1.8l protege blew it killed a red top optima battery in about 1 1/2 minuites and that was just slow driving in by neighborhood.

[seadoo4563]

i want to rule out IC piping because he said it wont even start. ive blown IC pipes before an it starts but kills out an idles horrible. his car is not even tryin to start

[Klum00]

problem solved!

it was the intercooler hose after all. I'm thinking i blew it enough that it was basically a wide open hole, so this shut the car off. That could have been why no power steering or braking. I'm still baffled why it wouldn't even turn over. I do have a 2001.5 so maybe they built in some pre-cautionary cut off. I found the hose easily tightened everything back up and she's running like a charm.

Thanks for all the quick advice and idea's guys, much appreciated!

[Evilevo]

Told ya ;)

Aaron, Text me or PM your number, I lost it......

[highPSI-S4]

Glad to hear the good news and not another S4 horror story

[Klum00]

me too.

not gonna lie, i was a bit scurrrrrred

[2k1audiS4]

Ahhhh the only good news I think I've heard all day. Good to hear man.

[ChrisS4]

Yea i actually had the exact some problem a few months back but i was relieved to see it was only an IC pipe lol

[FrimmelNoJerz]

sounds familiar...