89 Audi 100 - No Start, Battery OK, What next?

radiator fan

"Stephen Clark" > wrote in message
...
>I spoke with my trusted Audi mechanic today on the phone, describing the
>incident, and what I had done to try to diagnose it. He says there is
>nothing wrong as the car stands today. He said if it were a short in the
>driver's door jamb, it would have blown a fuse, and I would have found
>smoke and burned wires. He further said that those circuits are not large
>enough to cause a failure like I described.
>
> So I am left with an one-time mysterious event, that is undiagnosed, and
> will have to wait until a hard failure occurs to correct it.
>
> So wish me luck that it doesn't happen again. Thank again to all for your
> suggestions.
>
> Happy Motoring!
>

Yep, I agree, Dave, the radiator fan is a high-current draw, and if it runs
for too long, it'll bring down the battery for sure. I have to go see the
mechanic tomorrow for other reasons, and I'll have him check out the
components. You may win the prize yet!

stc

"dave AKA vwdoc1" > wrote in message
t...
> radiator fan
>
> "Stephen Clark" > wrote in message
> ...
>>I spoke with my trusted Audi mechanic today on the phone, describing the
>>incident, and what I had done to try to diagnose it. He says there is
>>nothing wrong as the car stands today. He said if it were a short in the
>>driver's door jamb, it would have blown a fuse, and I would have found
>>smoke and burned wires. He further said that those circuits are not large
>>enough to cause a failure like I described.
>>
>> So I am left with an one-time mysterious event, that is undiagnosed, and
>> will have to wait until a hard failure occurs to correct it.
>>
>> So wish me luck that it doesn't happen again. Thank again to all for your
>> suggestions.
>>
>> Happy Motoring!
>>
>
>

Yep, I agree, Dave, the radiator fan is a high-current draw, and if it runs
for too long, it'll bring down the battery for sure. I have to go see the
mechanic tomorrow for other reasons, and I'll have him check out the
components. You may win the prize yet!

stc

"dave AKA vwdoc1" > wrote in message
t...
> radiator fan
>
> "Stephen Clark" > wrote in message
> ...
>>I spoke with my trusted Audi mechanic today on the phone, describing the
>>incident, and what I had done to try to diagnose it. He says there is
>>nothing wrong as the car stands today. He said if it were a short in the
>>driver's door jamb, it would have blown a fuse, and I would have found
>>smoke and burned wires. He further said that those circuits are not large
>>enough to cause a failure like I described.
>>
>> So I am left with an one-time mysterious event, that is undiagnosed, and
>> will have to wait until a hard failure occurs to correct it.
>>
>> So wish me luck that it doesn't happen again. Thank again to all for your
>> suggestions.
>>
>> Happy Motoring!
>>
>
>

He looked a the car today, says that after-run switch on the back of the
head could be the culprit, but recommends not changing it unless the
incident happens again. After-run circuit can be disabled by pulling a wire
on this switch.

His contention is that the after-run switch is programmed to run the
radiator fans for 15 minutes max. I wasn't in the grocery store that long,
so even if it had run full speed for 8-10 minutes, that should not have
brought the battery down.

What do you guys think?


--
Stephen Clark
89 Audi 100
Houston, Texas USA

Depends on the battery condition, fully charged before the incident and a
good battery, charging system, etc.

If the battery was in good condition with a full charge............then the
vehicle should probably have started after 15 minutes. That is a powerful
fan though! ;-)

Has this happened since?

"Stephen Clark" > wrote in message
...
> He looked a the car today, says that after-run switch on the back of the
> head could be the culprit, but recommends not changing it unless the
> incident happens again. After-run circuit can be disabled by pulling a
> wire on this switch.
>
> His contention is that the after-run switch is programmed to run the
> radiator fans for 15 minutes max. I wasn't in the grocery store that long,
> so even if it had run full speed for 8-10 minutes, that should not have
> brought the battery down.
>
> What do you guys think?
>
>
> --
> Stephen Clark
> 89 Audi 100
> Houston, Texas USA
>

The after run should run at fan speed one which is much less draw than
speeds two or three. Still if it is acting up there may be other issues
with it.

It seems like a good evaluation by your mechanic.

dave AKA vwdoc1 wrote:
> Depends on the battery condition, fully charged before the incident and a
> good battery, charging system, etc.
>
> If the battery was in good condition with a full charge............then the
> vehicle should probably have started after 15 minutes. That is a powerful
> fan though! ;-)
>
> Has this happened since?
>
> "Stephen Clark" > wrote in message
> ...
>> He looked a the car today, says that after-run switch on the back of the
>> head could be the culprit, but recommends not changing it unless the
>> incident happens again. After-run circuit can be disabled by pulling a
>> wire on this switch.
>>
>> His contention is that the after-run switch is programmed to run the
>> radiator fans for 15 minutes max. I wasn't in the grocery store that long,
>> so even if it had run full speed for 8-10 minutes, that should not have
>> brought the battery down.
>>
>> What do you guys think?
>>
>>
>> --
>> Stephen Clark
>> 89 Audi 100
>> Houston, Texas USA
>>
>
>

Hasn't happened since, but see update below...

Started the car to check the trans fluid level, and heard some "popping"
noises from the accordion boot in the drivers door jamb. Listened carefully
as I moved the door back and forth, with engine both on and off. When the
engine is off, the popping noises stop, leading me to believe that there is
a short, or broken wires, inside the boot.

Everything electrical that is controlled from the driver's door operates
properly: all four windows, seat adjustment memory, etc. I pulled back the
boot, and didn't see any evidence of shorting, or broken insulation on the
wires. However there are a lot of wires in there, and I couldn't see all of
them. I have had a couple of times lately a problem with the driver's window
not wanting to go down, but that is working ok at the moment.

Those of you that have experienced this problem - do these symptoms sound
familiar?
--
Stephen Clark
89 Audi 100
Houston, Texas USA

possibility
look at the insulation very carefully. I have seen & repaired a lot of
breaking/broken wiring at the doors.

I still don't think that would have discharged the battery in 15 minutes
though!

"Stephen Clark" > wrote in message
...
> Started the car to check the trans fluid level, and heard some "popping"
> noises from the accordion boot in the drivers door jamb. Listened
> carefully as I moved the door back and forth, with engine both on and off.
> When the engine is off, the popping noises stop, leading me to believe
> that there is a short, or broken wires, inside the boot.
>
> Everything electrical that is controlled from the driver's door operates
> properly: all four windows, seat adjustment memory, etc. I pulled back the
> boot, and didn't see any evidence of shorting, or broken insulation on the
> wires. However there are a lot of wires in there, and I couldn't see all
> of them. I have had a couple of times lately a problem with the driver's
> window not wanting to go down, but that is working ok at the moment.
>
> Those of you that have experienced this problem - do these symptoms sound
> familiar?
> --
> Stephen Clark
> 89 Audi 100
> Houston, Texas USA
>

Took another listen and decided what I was hearing was just the door trim
squeaking. The reason it stopped with the engine off was simply engine
vibrations in the door. With the engine off, but key on, there is no noise.
And, those circuits are live with the key on, and engine off - so I should
be hearing any arcing. Plus, there is no smell, and no discoloration.

So I'm going to stop trying to invent explanations, and simply wait for a
hard failure like my mechanic suggested.

Have a nice weekend, Dave!


--
Stephen Clark
89 Audi 100
Houston, Texas USA