[79westy]

Hi All,

I have a 2013 Touareg TDI with Valeo alternator. Intermittently (every few days or so), I'll get an "alternator not charging battery" warning followed by a battery light on. This has been accompanied by random errors that illumniate immediately prior to the not charging warning. Examples are, slip protection, fog lamps error, etc....
Since this is intermittent, I purchased a cig lighter voltage monitor to watch what the hell is going on when these errors occur. Strangely enough when they occur, the cig lighter looses power entirely. The monitor totally shuts off. When the problem remedies itself by being allowed to idle, the cig lighter regains juice, and the battery warning light turns off, and life goes on. I don't see any bad wires off hand. The alternator is blackened, sooty.

Do alternators fail this way? Or am I dealing with another issue?

 

[rgh0]

If the battery is low and the alternator stops charging then all sorts of electrical problems may occur due to the low voltage. The Treg also automatically shuts various electrical systems down in low voltage situations so the cigarette lighter may be one of those thus the voltage meter would stop reading. Wjy the alternator is intermittently not charging could be due to alternator intenral problems or wiring problems. A VCDS scan would help identify the issue

 

[79westy]

Ok, i have VCDS, what should I investigate?

 

[Dannyboy485]

Get the alternator rebuilt. The brushes/slip ring are nearly gone. Mine did this before totally crapping out. Valeo have some slip rings that are soft as $HIT.
I rebuilt my own for about $120. If your not comfortable get it rebuilt by a competent mechanic

 

[Dannyboy485]

 

[rgh0]

Ok, i have VCDS, what should I investigate?

Start with a full autoscan to see what it says

 

[SaVAGeSoot]

Look up and read my post on reading\evaluating battery condition\age\alternator issues, etc.

 

[79westy]

7 Faults Found:
7144 - Please Check DTC Memory in CAN Gateway (J533)
U1008 00 [040] - -
[Diagnostic interface for data busRead out DTC]
Intermittent - Confirmed - Tested Since Memory Clear
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00000001
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 6
Mileage: 170470 km
Date: 2023.07.30
Time: 21:35:13

Engine RPM: 1844.00 /min
Normed load value: 69.4 %
Vehicle speed: 64 km/h
Coolant temperature: 52 °C
Intake air temperature: 17 °C
Ambient air pressure: 960 mbar
Voltage terminal 30: 12.100 V
Unlearning counter according OBD: 40
ACC specified acceleration: 0.000 m/s²
ACC control module: received status-Bits 0-7: 6
Active brake system error status-Bits 0-7: 0
Status of ACC/CCS acceleration interface-Bits 0-7: 0
Acceleration: 0.039 m/s²
Engine status: COENG_RUNNING
Engine status-Test_Program_Co Eng st COMPU VERB UBYTE: 3

4814 - System Voltage
P0562 00 [032] - Too Low
Intermittent - Not Confirmed - Tested Since Memory Clear

9567 - NOx Sensor 2 Bank 1
P229F 00 [096] - Implausible Signal
Intermittent - Not Confirmed - Tested Since Memory Clear

9643 - Reductant
P20E8 00 [096] - Pressure too Low
Intermittent - Not Confirmed - Tested Since Memory Clear
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00000001
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 3
Mileage: 170470 km
Date: 2023.07.30
Time: 21:35:05

Engine RPM: 2217.50 /min
Normed load value: 61.2 %
Vehicle speed: 135 km/h
Coolant temperature: 89 °C
Intake air temperature: 32 °C
Ambient air pressure: 960 mbar
Voltage terminal 30: 16.040 V
Unlearning counter according OBD: 37
Outside temperature: 24.0 °C
Pressure sensor for reducing agent: measured pressure: 490 hPa
Mean temperature of SCR catalyst: 375.6 °C
Sensor for reducing agent tank temperature: temperature: 23.0 °C
Reducing agent pump: activation: 0.00 %
Reducing agent injector: activation: 0.00 %

29012 - Diesel Particulate Filter (Bank 1)
P226D 00 [096] - Damaged or Subrate Missing
Intermittent - Not Confirmed - Tested Since Memory Clear
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00000001
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 1
Mileage: 171449 km
Date: 2023.08.14
Time: 17:22:41

Engine RPM: 986.00 /min
Normed load value: 52.2 %
Vehicle speed: 13 km/h
Coolant temperature: 78 °C
Intake air temperature: 27 °C
Ambient air pressure: 940 mbar
Voltage terminal 30: 13.340 V
Unlearning counter according OBD: 32
Particle filter: soot mass measured: 7.91 g
Particle filter: soot mass calculated: 15.02 g
Particle sensor: soot volume in exhaust: 0.18 mg/m³
Particle sensor: exhaust temperature: 316.0 °C
Particle sensor: cleaning deviation reaction time: 0.423

10062 - Fuel Pump
P3044 00 [032] - Short Circuit
Intermittent - Not Confirmed - Tested Since Memory Clear

17277 - SCR NOx Catalyst Bank 1
P20EE 00 [096] - Efficiency too Low
Intermittent - Not Confirmed - Tested Since Memory Clear

Readiness: 0 0 0 0 0

 

[Dannyboy485]

You've got 16 volts at one point and 12.1 at another.

Pull your alternator

 

[SaVAGeSoot]

I guess we are ignoring posts #6 & #7 in order not obtain too much useful information?

 

[79westy]

My last post was a response to number 6 and I think #7 seems irrelevant to this thread because there's no reason to believe that I have a sub-optimal battery, nor am I trying to rewrite best practices for AGM battery charging.

 

[SaVAGeSoot]

Reading is not your strong suit.
#6 asked you for a full scan, not what you posted
#7 would've helped you check the condition of your battery, recuperation, energy balances, alternator faults, SoC, etc.

... carry on.

 

[New2Tregs]

Maybe it would help other members if it was pointed out which post in a particular thread describes how to check such things, and doesn't just mention that they were checked, so they could do so.
It would be a lot easier for them than reading through roughly 80 posts looking for that guidance.

 

[SaVAGeSoot]

Well, you've clearly read it, so why don't you put in all that extra effort to help someone who is being so "willing" to take advice\direction?
I mean, I could just physically go to his vehicle and diagnose\fix it myself, that would certainly be the easiest for him and most helpful....
I have the expectation that member provide requested information and ask for specifics or clarification when required instead of just expecting a step-by-step manual on how to deal with whatever issue is being discussed.

Did you see anyone respond to post #46 in said discussion? Does it sound like any user on here is interested in learning or being told about what I'm barking about?
If no one cares, why should I put all that effort into something?

 

[New2Tregs]

Well, you've clearly read it, so why don't you put in all that extra effort to help someone who is being so "willing" to take advice\direction?
I mean, I could just physically go to his vehicle and diagnose\fix it myself, that would certainly be the easiest for him and most helpful....
I have the expectation that member provide requested information and ask for specifics or clarification when required instead of just expecting a step-by-step manual on how to deal with whatever issue is being discussed.

Did you see anyone respond to post #46 in said discussion? Does it sound like any user on here is interested in learning or being told about what I'm barking about?
If no one cares, why should I put all that effort into something?

Honestly I didn't read it, but I did book mark it for future reference if I need it.

 

[79westy]

Update post. I proceeded with an alternator swap. I got one from the scrapyard that came along with a battered pulley. More on the pulley below. The Touareg has not had any errors in the 48 hrs it's been on the road. I'm not out of the woods, but if you don't see me post again here, you can assume the alternator fixed it. Thanks for the guidance.

For the good of the order... there seems to be a shortage of (aftermarket) alternator pulleys. OEM's are like 250-320, just for the pulley. These guys are available on ebay but originating from China. The alternator I pulled and believe to be faulty had a seized pulley which took the clutch out of play, probably leading to my alternator woes. The used alternator I received from the junkyard had a mangled pulley which i breathed life into with a file and some emory cloth. I had no better option because I'm not paying $320 for a pulley that costs $25 on endless makes and models of vehicles. So far, so good.