# VW alternator failure **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** golf, volkswagen\ **Created:** [January 10, 2011, 4:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/vw-alternator-failure/59804 "2011-01-10T16:22:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dodecahedron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@Dodecahedron](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Dodecahedron)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2011, 4:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/vw-alternator-failure/59804/1 "2011-01-10T16:22:20Z")
2000 Golf The other night, I was driving along and had pretty classic alternator failure–dash lights came on, then failed, car stopped and wouldn’t turn on again. I had it towed to the nearest shop (I’m new to the area, so I don’t have a trusted place yet, and didn’t have time to look one up). They replaced the alternator and changed the oil. They said the battery was fine, and that I shouldn’t have any more problems. The car drove fine on the way home, so I parked it and didn’t think about it again. That was the day before yesterday. This morning I tried to turn the car on, and everything seemed fine for a couple of seconds, but then the tachometer needle dramatically dropped and the car quit again. I tried a few more times, with the same result. Before I call the shop back to complain, I’d like to get some ideas of what might be going on. I do not know what I’m doing, but I’d like to go in as informed as possible, and I can’t afford to replace more expensive parts! Any advice would be much appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![nfs480](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@nfs480](https://community.cartalk.com/u/nfs480)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2011, 4:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/vw-alternator-failure/59804/2 "2011-01-10T16:30:58Z")
First off, don’t start by complaining. Just call them up and let them know what happened and see what they offer since they just repaired it. ---
**Author:** ![tardis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f0a364/32.png) [@tardis](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tardis)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2011, 4:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/vw-alternator-failure/59804/3 "2011-01-10T16:31:45Z")
The replacement alternator may be bad, or it may be that the alternator was never bad and instead there is a wiring fault to it. There are some simple in-car tests to determine where the problem is. ---
**Author:** ![Cougar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cougar/32/21348_2.png) [@Cougar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cougar)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2011, 5:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/vw-alternator-failure/59804/4 "2011-01-10T17:20:55Z")
Good advice from both of the above posters. As a guess I would say the replacement alternator has failed. Possibly some of the output diodes inside the alternator have gone bad. You should have a warranty on the part at least if that is so. ---
**Author:** ![common-sense-answer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/common-sense-answer/32/716_2.png) [@common-sense-answer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/common-sense-answer)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2011, 6:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/vw-alternator-failure/59804/5 "2011-01-10T18:07:10Z")
Sounds Like You Basically Diagnosed This Yourself And Asked For An Alternator Replacement. Is That What Happened ? I’m just wondering if besides changing the oil (You must have requested that, too.) and checking the battery, any diagnosis of the charging / starting system was done. What do you think ? Was the alternator actually verified to have failed in the way that caused you to lose power (dead battery & no charge) at cruising speed ? CSA