Known alternator / battery drain probs on A6

[-JUT-]

Hello all,

My old dear has an 2002 52 plate A6, the 4.2 V8 SE version, with DSG, and all the toys - first owner ticked all the options when he bought it.

Recently it's developed a nasty habit of getting a flat battery after a very short period left standing. It's had a new battery to try to cure the problem, but to no avail. She drove from London to Lincolnshire on Friday, hasn't driven it Sat or Sun, and is currently waiting for the AA to turn up so she can drive back again!

Are there any known faults or drain problems on this car that could cause this? She's even tried one of the plug-in solar chargers to keep the battery topped up since these problems started, and it still keeps going flat. Any pointers would be much appreciated!

Cheers

[J-skid]

Does it have the built in phone (not an aftermarket one but the Audi one). Someone said that some have a fault whereby they drain the battery over a few days.

Hope this helps.

[-JUT-]

It has the built in phone kit in the armrest, for a Nokia 6210. You think this might be the problem? Is this only a problem whilst the phone is connected, or does it drain all the time?

[Narvanath]

Assuming that no fault lamps are on, the most likely culprit is that phone. Try taking it out. If the problem remains then it might need a specialist to check EVERY ECU. There are certain faults that can occur on older vehilces (especially when all the option boxes were ticked) where one ECU fails to shutdown after ign-off and key-out. Finding the offending unit is a bugger with some diagnostic kit, though.

[-JUT-]

So far the Audi main dealer who sold the car (Whetstone in North London) are the ones who can't trace the fault! But it's only just gone out of warranty so thinking the bills might starting escalating now... When you say remove the phone, do you mean disconnect the hands free kit completely?

[jamesdouglas]

have you ever thought that your alternator is faulty

[-JUT-]

Has been tested and working fine

Unplugged the phone kit, no problems since - culprit found! :-)

[jamesdouglas]

Thats good

[jamesdouglas]

Thats good