trae
Veteran Member
- Joined
- May 13, 2002
- Location
- Chicago Our Fair City
- TDI
- 3 prior TDIs - '97 B4 Passat Sedan, '96 Passat B4 Wagon, 2001 NB; Current - 2013 Audi Q7 TDI Pearl White Metallic - 2014 Moto Guzzi California 1400 Touring - 1995 Moto Guzzi 1100 Sport Carb
This is the message that just popped up on the dash when my wife started our '013 Q7 - no prior issues at all; based on battery life, we were planning on replacing the battery this fall, as recommended by our local mechanic (Audi dealer had recommended replacing it in February, when it was performing cold starts just fine). Also, wife reports the car starts, but steering wheel won't turn - this occurred simultaneous to getting the warning light! So the car will drive straight forward and backward, but can't turn the wheel. So she is waiting on AAA.
Any ideas? I sure don't want to have to replace the alternator if it doesn't need it. We were planning on replacing the battery, which will need it, but started her on the coldest day of the year (-22) in Chicago, and the steering thing is simply bizarre. She claims she jiggled the key every which way to try and unlock the wheel, to no avail. Local mechanic has alternator for $559 if it needs it as opposed to $1,200 for Audi, and if it needs an alternator, will replace battery, alternator, and belt for $998 with a break on labor (Audi wanted $600 just to replace the battery alone).
-Just want to make sure we turn over every stone, before a slew of new parts puts us in the poorhouse. Any other (hopefully far more minor) issues that could turn on the alternator fault notice, or lock the steering? Also anyone know what the factory warranty was on these? We only have 44k miles.
Tom
Any ideas? I sure don't want to have to replace the alternator if it doesn't need it. We were planning on replacing the battery, which will need it, but started her on the coldest day of the year (-22) in Chicago, and the steering thing is simply bizarre. She claims she jiggled the key every which way to try and unlock the wheel, to no avail. Local mechanic has alternator for $559 if it needs it as opposed to $1,200 for Audi, and if it needs an alternator, will replace battery, alternator, and belt for $998 with a break on labor (Audi wanted $600 just to replace the battery alone).
-Just want to make sure we turn over every stone, before a slew of new parts puts us in the poorhouse. Any other (hopefully far more minor) issues that could turn on the alternator fault notice, or lock the steering? Also anyone know what the factory warranty was on these? We only have 44k miles.
Tom
Last edited: