Help Golf Mk3 Alternator

[im_howard1]

Hey,

Yesterday my car wouldnt start and it was like after 3-4 attempts the battery went dead as the clock and radio reset. I got a jump start and took it into a garage near my home and was told that "the alternator was out putting to high and roasting the battery". Only thing I had a problem with was that the guy at the garage sat almost red lining the engine saying that he needed higher revs to get a correct reading? At the end of this they said that a new battery and alternator was needed to correct the fault.

Would anybody kindly give advise on what i could do? In the way of repairing the alternator or repacing the battery. As i am usually a hands on person whos hates paying for a garage to do something that I could just do my self

Cheers
Adam

[AudiA8Quattro]

Could just be a faulty voltage regulator, you can replace it without replacing the alternator.

[nikkiy9]

why on earth give it high revs? all you do to test an alternator properly is turn everything on and check the voltage at battery, or another way to see it the alternater is donald ducked is to start the car then disconnect the battery, if the alternator is fine then the car will continue to run, i've done that many times

[AudiA8Quattro]

Do not start the car and disconnect the battery, damage can result to the vehicle electrics.
You can test the battery with a multimeter, battery should be about 12.5v before starting and 13.5v once running, without everything on.

[Wayne]

I would fit a new battery if it has been cooked.

[im_howard1]

Right ive just been down to another garage to get a second opinion on what needs to be done. The drop test put the battery at 14 which is a good reading and with the engine running, it went up to 17. So i am now thinking that the battery is ok and the alternator regulator has gone. Is replacing the regulator an easy task or should i just replace the whole alternator?

[harlemex]

17 is too high. I thought a new alternator is needed and battery. I didnt know the regulator was replaceable, I assume it is part of the alternator??

[im_howard1]

Well ive checked the Haynes and from what i can see its replaceable but im going to look at a second hand alternator tomorrow so hopefully the problem will be fixed ASAP. Then im thinking ill have the battery checked again, as from what was said at garage today the battery is still working fine,so fingers crossed that it will be. Mind you it only £40 for a new battery anyways

[AudiA8Quattro]

You can replace the regulator separately, its only about £15-£20.