[urq] Voltage regulator and idiot light question

[urq]

I believe it was Tony Lum who tracked this one down ... perhaps based on the
old RDH info.  There's a high resistance situation brought on by the way the
fuse box is wired.  Tony's solution was to add a diode to the circuit.  My
memory's a bit hazy, but I found that Audi used an undersized wire/pin to
connect to the fusebox ... and I found that there was another unused pin to
the fusebox which connects to the same circuit ... I have no idea why Audi
didn't bring power in via this connection.  It is one of my round tuit
things, I don't believe it to be a serious issue.  On my car the alternator
light illuminates dimly when the turn signal lights are on.  I installed an
LED battery/charging status indicator to the console near the diff lock pull
so I know that the alternator is charging the battery ... 

When I have a chance to look for the info I put together I'll post a picture
on the urq yahoo group ... but you may want to poke around the archives to
see if you can find Tony's post or my follow on ...

Steve B
San Jose, CA (USA)

-----Original Message-----

Louis-Alain wrote:

Thanks Frank, I understand now.

OK then, why is the ALT light still very lightly lit, as it was since I've
own this car ? Could it be the blue wire that has some resistance ? Or is it
the other way, not enough voltage from IGN ?

Louis-Alain


Geraint responds either:
1. 'cos it is and has been for how many years now? i.e. it ain't currently
broke, so..... 

or

2. OMFG DON'T OPEN THAT CAN OF WORMS

Or even

3. Baptême mec, si tu t'en va jouer dans cet Ostie de tas de spaghetti de
filage schleu avec les connecteurs fragile en Christ, j'appel le SAMU pour
qu'ils t'amènent dans un joli hôtel municipal avec 3 repas chauds par jour
et le papier peint en caoutchouc.   

Or Lastly.

4. There is probably a slight voltage drop across one of the connections in
or at the dash insert that is causing a bit of current flow through the
idiot light

In any event, forget about it, get a beer and go and finish the write up on
the Skyline

Geraint