Please help: odd message flashing on the dash when it rains

Hey guys and girls,

I have a weird problem that only occurs when it rains; the problem is something to do with the alternator, as "Alternator Workshop!" flashes on my dash readout panel in between my Speedo and my tacho.

The car in question is a Mk4 04 'Sport' model with the 2.0 and manual transmission. It has done approx. 70,000km.

It has done this before but only briefly and I couldn't catch what the message said, but today it happened twice and the second time my power steering and I think power to the engine cut out almost entirely, leaving sudden and momentary heavy steering and no acceleration.

When I first started the car up this afternoon after all day being parked in the rain the car made a squealing noise which lasted for about 5 seconds. This is the first time it has done this.

I am sorry if this sounds like a weird rant, just I thought I would ask someone on here as it might have happened, or may even have been common occurrence.

Thanks VWW'ers.

sounds like your accessory belt tensioner pulley could be seizing up and or the belt damaged. Thats usually where the squealing comes from and quite possibly the temporary loss in power. for comparison my VR6 has the same km's as your MKIV and its accessory belt assembly needs to be replaced along with the pulley, it made a similar noise under wet conditons as well as well as high RPM shifts.

Thanks for the quick reply Branko. I hope that's not too expensive to do, now just to find the time to drop it into the mechanics.

Out of curiosity and for those of you in-the-know, what type of servicing should be carried out at 70k? I got the car at circa 64k and I'm a little dubious of trusting that the dealer did what needed to be done, even though he said he had a full service done before I took delivery.

75k is generally an oil and filter, check over and scan. Depending when the brake fluid was done last , either change it or have it checked for moisture. While im at it 90k for the cam belt OR 4 yrs whichever comes 1st. By the way sound like belt slip if the Alt warning is coming up, meaning under charge state. Get that checked real quick mate or it will leave you stranded
Cheers
Jmac

Thanks for the help with 75k and 90k service info Jmac, I'll get it checked out.

I think it had a filter and oil change upon delivery, but that is still taking the dealers word for it.

I had that a few times when I first got the Bora, and I almost stalled it as I learned the clutch take-up point.

Haven't seen it since the first few weeks of ownership.

Check if its had its 60k one though, thats all the filters and plugs mate.
Jmac

Seeing as we are on a similar topic,

I did some logging the other night and seeing similar stuff as the topic starter, but I get a momentary loss of power and than she comes back, don't get alternator check just the battery on momentarily, Belt has been replaced. Engine idles up to 1200 RPM sparadocally after a start for about five minutes after the cold start temp of 1500 RPM has finished.

I checked the voltage, it sits at about 12.8 with lights on and driving at about 3000 RPM's this isn't right is it ?(With lights off and engine running it sits at about 13.2) It should be sitting at 13.5 + ? When the engine is off it is around 12.8.

I believe this may be a relay for the alternator ?

Also, alternator drives the coolant pump so be careful if you get this and carry on driving.

Sorry but that statement about the water pump is incorrect. This is in fact driven off the Cam belt. Ribbed belt drives Power steering , Alt and Air con compressor. 13.9 volts with no consumers is what you are looking for. Above 13.6 is good anything lower than that something is a miss. Gokf 4 was notorious for the earth under the battery tray still having factory paint on it. Fix was to remove the battery and clean the paint off the earth pin (poor earth) Remember a bad earth or even a dodgy battery can also cause a drama. However in this case it is said that a screeching noise is heard which will be a belt or pully.
Jmac

Sorry, I was referring to my car with regards to the serp belt, I dont think the V6 has a cam belt ??

I have done underneath my battery and have provided another Earth. I agree with you, screeching noise being belt or pulley.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jmac

Sorry but that statement about the water pump is incorrect. This is in fact driven off the Cam belt. Ribbed belt drives Power steering , Alt and Air con compressor. 13.9 volts with no consumers is what you are looking for. Above 13.6 is good anything lower than that something is a miss. Gokf 4 was notorious for the earth under the battery tray still having factory paint on it. Fix was to remove the battery and clean the paint off the earth pin (poor earth) Remember a bad earth or even a dodgy battery can also cause a drama. However in this case it is said that a screeching noise is heard which will be a belt or pully.
Jmac

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