car stalling and shuttering when im driving HELP!!!!!

**MOtown A4** · 01-16-2009 06:02 AM

ok, so it's 11 below here in michigan. i let my car warm up and i begin my morning commute. the car is at operating temperature and im just about to get to[ work (it's about ten miles from my house) and i notice first that my car is only boosting 5 psi, thats the first thing. then i notice when i let the car coast a little while its still in gear that it will shutter like its trying to stall. i notice that my battery guage is all out of whack like my battery is dead. i stall at a left turn light coming into work, and 2 more times driving down the quarter mile road to work. in the cluster first my ABS light comes on, then my battery, then my check engine light. would these be symptoms of a dead alternator? im hoping its just the bitter cold temperature thats messing with my car. anyone care to give me their thoughts, i really need some insight here! TIA!
Ed.

**Seerlah** · 01-16-2009 06:43 AM

If your battery meter is off (assuming), place a volt meter to the battery and check for voltage. If you have ~12v it is ok. And again assuming it was your alternator. If it was only a 10 mile drive and your alternator is shot then the car would be driving off the battery, so the voltage drop would not be considerably noticable given that you did not use too much heavy electronics. If that is the case, you would not need to replace it if you replace the alternator in time. A way to check if it is your alternator, yet many do not recommend it is to attempt to stall you vehicle. While your car is running, remove the posotive battery cable. If the car stalls, then it is def your alternator.

If your alternator is shot, replace it with a 120 amp unit and make sure you use the brand that is already in there, or you will have fitment issues if you don't (Bosch or Valeo).

**20A4Audi1.8t01** · 01-19-2009 05:36 PM

BUMP!

mine just quit on me today battery gauge showing low volts battery light came on, im running a system with 2 amps 10 inch sub and pioneer avic d3 HID lows and fogs (if that matters) but gauges started dimming and flickering then the car just died had to get my car towed to ETA. Sound like alternator went bad?

thanks for any answers insight guys!

**njm23** · 01-19-2009 05:42 PM

Sure sounds like an alternator to me, I would say go get it tested at advance or somewhere. May also be an open circuit (meaning loose connection or something)

**Seerlah** · 01-19-2009 05:45 PM

You may not need to replace the battery if you have at least 10.5v charge left in the battery. But since you have a system, might be a good time to upgrade to the Optimus Red Top battery. If you don't have a 120 amp alternator, then replace it with such as to accomodate your stereo and HIDs. There was a write-up a couple weeks ago with a DIY. Might want to look that up, as to save shop fees. As for purchasing the alternator, you will most likely need to remove it first to find which brand it is (stamped on product). You will need to replace with the same brand name (Bosch and Valeo have different fitment). Best bet is to get a refurbished one w/warranty (make sure it has a warranty) and give them your old one (core charge).

**20A4Audi1.8t01** · 01-19-2009 06:01 PM

alright thanks so far guys the battery is about a 4 mos old intertate and the new alternator will be 120.

**20A4Audi1.8t01** · 01-20-2009 07:16 PM

got the alternator replaced with a 120 amp rebuilt! shes running again but have a weeeee sound coming from the alt. belt area. anything to be concerned about?