1g TSi auto help..

[seth98es]

I am looking to buy a 91 TSi awd auto from a guy for $800. Only thing is, is the battery will not hold a charge. It has 108,000 miles on it and it is stock. It had the head rebuilt not too long ago. He got it from a guy that owed him money and he drove it around for a week and the problem arose and he has not messed with it at all since.

Also, it has a Clifford alarm and when the problem first started it would not stop chirping untill a guy came and messed with the wires a bit.

I just need something to get me through the winter. I dont really care for its lack of performance, I may swap in a new engine and tranny this summer if I get it so...

So do you guys think it is worth it? What do you guys think the problem could be? Anything serious? Thanks in advance.

 

[AwdEi]

If it won't hold a charge, I would look to the alternator first. Also, check all of the power wires connecting to the positive side of the battery. My alternator wire was touching the alternator, so it blew the fuse to the alternator. The fuse is in the fuse box near the intake, so check it. You may not need to get anything but a fuse. I know autozone sells them with lifetime warrenty for 100 bucks.

Hope this helps.

 

[seth98es]

Is there any way to determine if its the alternator? Ill put a new battery in it and see if that helps and check the fuse tomorrow.

 

[seth98es]

Alright, so I went back today and give it a quick jump start. Started right up with no hesitation, remember it hasnt been driven or started in a few months. I let it run for about 15 minutes and turned it of, then tried to start it and nothing, it was dead. The tank was on empty and the fuel light was on also.

I checked the alternator fuse, but wasnt sure if it was blown or not. It was one of those weird big fuses correct, with like 3 prongs?

Anyway, I re-jumped it and went for a test drive around the block. It was in Economy mode and it seemed really heasitant and bogged down. Like I took a lot of gas just to get it rolling, then when I tried to speed up it kinda bogged down. The e-brake light was on also even though the e-brake was not pulled.

While I was driving it around the block, the "A/T Temp" light was on, what does this mean? And lastly it smelled like it was burning oil from the engine bay. Not real bad, but the smell was there. Thanks again for all your help.

 

[Willjs7]

That is the alternator going.
Get a multi meter. Check how much power is in it by touching the pos side of the multi to the connection on the alternator and the neg to the frame. see how many volts it is producing.. then check the battery.
Tell me what your volts are. Just change the alternator.. its easy.

 

[seth98es]

So even the bogging down part has to do with the Alternator? If this is the case, I am definitely happy. I think my friend even has an old alternator off of his 91 tsi.

Ill go back tomorrow and get some voltages. Should the car be on or off?