Car not holding a charge

**Radskull1** · 08-28-2016 10:33 AM

It seems my audi is draining batteries while its not running, ive tried 3 different batteries and over night they wont even have 8 volts but work fine in my other cars, idk what to do but its my daily and i cant keep it going because of this, none of the lights radio ect are on, nothing is pulling from the fuse panel when the cars off. Idk what to do to figure out where the problem is. It seems like maybe the altanater isnt working or putting enough of a charge in to the battery, when i turn the car off and try to start it, its just dead and ideas?

**TheRedGlacier** · 08-28-2016 10:41 AM

Okay first things first, if you know by memory or if the car will start with a jump still.. Does your volt meter reader read approx 14-14.7? While running the car.

**Radskull1** · 08-28-2016 11:05 AM

While running its more than 14 but as idle it drops to 12, while moving its 14-approx 14.5 if i get off the gas it goes to 12

**TheRedGlacier** · 08-28-2016 11:24 AM

Hmm.. I would suggest replacement of your alternator and or voltage regulator. I would start with the regulator, as it is cheaper. See the thing is, when the car is running, the alternator is always supposed to be pumping full output (14 to 14.7 volts. Anything higher or lower than that would suggest one of the mentioned components failing.

When a voltage regulator is working, it will call upon the alternator for the ~14 volts to keep everything in check. When it goes, it can start sending messed up signals, if you will.. Or none at all.

Note that if you replace your alternator, it will have a new regulator installed as well. Make sure to get a new pulley with the alternator (NOT NECESSARY) highly recommended.

Do you have access to a multimeter or a voltmeter?

**Radskull1** · 08-28-2016 11:44 AM

I have access to a voltmeter and it shows 13.2 on the battery but the meter on the dash shows 12 and it wont start then when u turn the key it shows nothing..

**TheRedGlacier** · 08-28-2016 03:32 PM

You want to have 13.5 or higher
So one of the mentioned components MAY be dying. You can have your alternator tested for frew at Autozone. Good place to start.

**Radskull1** · 08-28-2016 03:47 PM

Ok just started the car ran it for 20 minutes and it didnt charge the battery

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It never went above 11

**TheRedGlacier** · 08-28-2016 06:19 PM

Have you taken it to Autozone?

**Radskull1** · 08-28-2016 07:29 PM

Nah even with a fresh battery it dies so i believe its the alternater going bad will pick a new one up and go from there

**TheRedGlacier** · 08-29-2016 05:39 AM

That is what I would suggest, but what I meant was that they can test the ALTERNATOR before you buy a new one. It can't hurt, could save you money, as it is free and can reveal if that is the actual issue. How many miles do you have? It.most likely is the alternator, but if it were the voltage regulator, you could replace that for a much lower cost.

Electrical components are finnicky. Remember that. I have a 1994 Trans Am, and she kept having issues with the engine running and then choking itself to death and shutting off while I would be driving it. Grounds were corroded, and one was loose, so I sanded the ends and tightened them up and it ran again. Eventually the optispark distributor blew up, and that's what I'm replacing now.. But back to the point haha..

I wouldn't just throw parts at your Audi. Sometimes it works, sometimes it is just unnecessary.

I also have a friend with an 01 1.8t, and when he first bought it, his battery would just "leak" its charge overnight. Swapped the alternator, nothing... turned out to be a bad battery cable.

EDIT: Do you have an illuminated battery light on the cluster while running the car?