Anyone experience an actual failed alternator/starter here?

[00_Bora]

greetings all! I'm trying to find some guidance around the known starter/alternator issue and how your experiences with the dealer have gone. I'm aware of the warranty extension, which is great in this case, but my scenario is becoming a bit more challenging after having the alternator fail on me mid-drive on a highway. (2019 A6 Prestige)

As you can imagine, I received the electronics malfunction error in yellow which has reared its head in the past for a simple loose battery cable so on this particular morning I thought nothing of it. Turns out, the alternator had failed and I was unaware until I received a PULL OVER NOW red warning and as I slowed down to do so, the cars instruments/engine/transmission would all start flickering on and off as the batteries were coming to zero charge left. Eventually the car shut off and I drifted to a should space where I could be towed.

Now fast forward to the dealership working on the car. I'm being told that the alternator/starter will be replaced, no questions asked, but the larger battery (assuming 55TFSI battery) in the car has zero charge and it might be damaged due to it being completely depleted. Guidance is that they will try to charge it back up with a new alternator, but if that does not work, that is an out of pocket expense for me (a few thousand bucks I'm being told).

Now I know the legal language in the warranty extension says its not responsible for failure of other parts due to the alternator, but this seems DIRECTLY related to its failure in my opinion and thus I should not be on the hook for replacing it. I'm waiting for results to what path this goes down still, but curious if anyone else has had a similar experience and a better outcome?

Thanks!

[FBAnder]

I'd ask for the battery to be covered or at least discounted in some manner. Do you have your last service inspection report showing the battery is "green"? I'd have that handy as some extra backup.

[zarmstrong92]

I just got my 19 Prestige back from having the alternator replaced. It said on the repair notes that it took several tries to recharge the 48V battery. I only bring this up so you can ask/verify that they tried more than once if push comes to shove.

[00_Bora]

I just got my 19 Prestige back from having the alternator replaced. It said on the repair notes that it took several tries to recharge the 48V battery. I only bring this up so you can ask/verify that they tried more than once if push comes to shove.

Appreciate the input! Will definitely keep this in my back pocket if they push back on it.

- - - Updated - - -

I'd ask for the battery to be covered or at least discounted in some manner. Do you have your last service inspection report showing the battery is "green"? I'd have that handy as some extra backup.

Thankfully this dealership has done all the maintenance on this car so I'm going to sift through all the records for this brilliant nugget.

[Twotonicnite]

I would definitely challenge them on the battery cost, if it indeed needs replacement. How is that not a direct result of the premature alternator failure??

[allenyao09]

My 2021 RS6 just died on the road as well. Same alternator failure. But my dealership did say anything about the battery.

Btw how long do you have to wait for the alternator replacement? I was told 4-6 weeks but no confirmed ETA yet, and some people have been waiting for 3+ months..

[00_Bora]

My 2021 RS6 just died on the road as well. Same alternator failure. But my dealership did say anything about the battery.

Btw how long do you have to wait for the alternator replacement? I was told 4-6 weeks but no confirmed ETA yet, and some people have been waiting for 3+ months..

I dropped it off and they had to order the part which took a little over 3 days to arrive (maybe they found one at a dealer a few states away?). Overall just got it back yesterday, no impact to the larger battery (per them after charging it up & driving 50 miles) and it took a little over a week for them to turn it around back to me.

[allenyao09]

I dropped it off and they had to order the part which took a little over 3 days to arrive (maybe they found one at a dealer a few states away?). Overall just got it back yesterday, no impact to the larger battery (per them after charging it up & driving 50 miles) and it took a little over a week for them to turn it around back to me.

Doesn't sound too bad. Do you know the part number of the new alternator you got? My service advisor told me the V8 engines use a different starter alternator than the V6, and they cannot order the new replacement part yet.

[tech30six]

I'm a Audi technician at a dealer here in Canada. In short, the 48v would be considered warrantable repair as it is consequential damage as a result of the starter/alternator.

[Weilian]

I'm a Audi technician at a dealer here in Canada. In short, the 48v would be considered warrantable repair as it is consequential damage as a result of the starter/alternator.

Is the part readily available in Canada? How many cars have you seen come through your shop with the alternator failure?

[tech30six]

All 2021s pretty much have the risk of failure. I have done 4 myself this year. One tech did 3 in one week. The part I believe is readily availablenl for RS C8 cars. Audi is now cancelling C and D segment factory orders did to the alternator issue, as the replacement parts that have been installed are not updated parts and risk of failure is still present.

Sent from my SM-G991W using Tapatalk

[turboale]

I'm good friends with my service advisor and he said Q8s seem to be the worst offenders with A6 sedans being next popular. At the time I asked he didn't recall an Allroad come in with the issue but they are probably the lowest selling so probably just a #s game. He did say he would generally see a spike in issues between seasons with the large temp swings... No data behind it but just something he noticed.

[Tropicgreena4]

I'm good friends with my service advisor and he said Q8s seem to be the worst offenders with A6 sedans being next popular. At the time I asked he didn't recall an Allroad come in with the issue but they are probably the lowest selling so probably just a #s game. He did say he would generally see a spike in issues between seasons with the large temp swings... No data behind it but just something he noticed.

That's what my source at my dealer told me too

[OneFastBMW]

All 2021s pretty much have the risk of failure. I have done 4 myself this year. One tech did 3 in one week. The part I believe is readily availablenl for RS C8 cars. Audi is now cancelling C and D segment factory orders did to the alternator issue, as the replacement parts that have been installed are not updated parts and risk of failure is still present.

Sent from my SM-G991W using Tapatalk

I assume that is referring to the new “T” variant of the part number. This part number is just starting to trickle out now. People were hoping it would be an improvement.

[maxvq35]

My '19 A6 sedan got the dreaded message last week on my way to work . Managed to get it to the dealer at lunch time.

Was told no loaners available and waiting list was minimum 10days at the time and that the specific part had been arriving more commonly at the 2 week window.

My service guy made an extra call to their sister dealership and it turned out a customer that had been waiting months started a lemon buy back, so the part in stock for that vehicle was given up for my repair. I had the car back in 48hrs .

[YashaR8]

All 2021s pretty much have the risk of failure. I have done 4 myself this year. One tech did 3 in one week. The part I believe is readily availablenl for RS C8 cars. Audi is now cancelling C and D segment factory orders did to the alternator issue, as the replacement parts that have been installed are not updated parts and risk of failure is still present.

Sent from my SM-G991W using Tapatalk

So you haven't seen ANY 2022s with alternator failures?

[DutchK23]

hi Tech30six, based on your experience is there any indication if disabling the ASS function has any bearing on the failure rate?

[maxvq35]

I had the APR tune 15k mi before mine went at 51k, which disables start stop at startup. The only thing it helps with if you do get the message and it fails is not to deplete the battery faster. If you are within driving distance to the dealer, your best bet is to keep all accessories and climate functions off. i believe When people get stranded/needing to tow the vehicle is due the battery finally hitting rock bottom from lack of getting cycled by the system once the part goes kaput.

[DutchK23]

so perhaps not....apologies for the thread-jack but how do you like the APR tune? thinking of puling the trigger on that myself

[JoshReis]

I purchased my vehicle second-hand but the starter/alternator was replaced on mine. According to the service records, the 48V battery was charged after the repair. 40k odd miles later, the battery is still holding strong.

[maxvq35]

so perhaps not....apologies for the thread-jack but how do you like the APR tune? thinking of puling the trigger on that myself

Its great so far. Haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary as far as negatives, just lost 1 MPG on my avg fuel consumption but that's likely due to Start/Stop being off by default. No Oil consumption. Car just rides with more boost and awesome torque (515+ lb/ft), pulls harder across the band, etc...someone had described it to feeling more like a V8 at the lower RPM's, and i agree it has a nice slingshot effect now when you ask it to sprint.

Its just missing an exhaust note, the A6/A7 sound too docile . Going to have to address that down the road somehow.

[DutchK23]

Its great so far. Haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary as far as negatives, just lost 1 MPG on my avg fuel consumption but that's likely due to Start/Stop being off by default. No Oil consumption. Car just rides with more boost and awesome torque (515+ lb/ft), pulls harder across the band, etc...someone had described it to feeling more like a V8 at the lower RPM's, and i agree it has a nice slingshot effect now when you ask it to sprint.

Its just missing an exhaust note, the A6/A7 sound too docile . Going to have to address that down the road somehow.

thanks for the reply

[ARIESWJ]

I'm a Audi technician at a dealer here in Canada. In short, the 48v would be considered warrantable repair as it is consequential damage as a result of the starter/alternator.

did you know if Audi Canada had issued an extended warranty on the alternator just like the USA?

My 2021 Audi Q7 just had the battery light come on and the start/stop system malfunction yesterday, I've tested it with my multimeter the battery voltages stay at ~12V when the engine is running, so it is most likely I am going to need a new alternator....my mileage is at 965000 km so I am out of the original factory warranty. I'm hoping Audi Canada also has a 10-year unlimited mileage extended warranty on these alternators when I go to my local dealership next week so I don't have to pay out of pocket....thank you!

[tech30six]

did you know if Audi Canada had issued an extended warranty on the alternator just like the USA?

My 2021 Audi Q7 just had the battery light come on and the start/stop system malfunction yesterday, I've tested it with my multimeter the battery voltages stay at ~12V when the engine is running, so it is most likely I am going to need a new alternator....my mileage is at 965000 km so I am out of the original factory warranty. I'm hoping Audi Canada also has a 10-year unlimited mileage extended warranty on these alternators when I go to my local dealership next week so I don't have to pay out of pocket....thank you!

Audi Canada has issued both a warranty extension for the starter/Alternator as well as a recall campaign 27BQ. Contact you local dealer, ask them to confirm the warranty extension and recall as those are vin specific. Most likely it does.

Also, voltage at battery is not the determining factor on 12v, 48v charging systems.

[BoredOhio]

Audi Canada has issued both a warranty extension for the starter/Alternator as well as a recall campaign 27BQ. Contact you local dealer, ask them to confirm the warranty extension and recall as those are vin specific. Most likely it does.

Also, voltage at battery is not the determining factor on 12v, 48v charging systems.

Any details on the 27BQ campaign? I have a 2019 A7 Prestige that they claim isn't part of the 27BQ campaign even though it seems like it should be. I know the car may have had the alternator replaced a year and a half ago, but shouldn't it still need the fixed part installed? Or is Audi still installing the same failing parts? Thanks for your insight into all this

[tech30six]

Any details on the 27BQ campaign? I have a 2019 A7 Prestige that they claim isn't part of the 27BQ campaign even though it seems like it should be. I know the car may have had the alternator replaced a year and a half ago, but shouldn't it still need the fixed part installed? Or is Audi still installing the same failing parts? Thanks for your insight into all this

So Audi is releasing the 27BQ in waves given the number of vehicles that are affected by the starter/Alternator issue. That may be the reason its not showing up on your end, but keep in mind Audi Canada and Audi USA have different processes when it comes to recalls and campaigns. I wouldn't worry too much about it for now. At the very least you mostikely have the warranty extension attached to your VIN as well as the 2 year/unlimited parts and labor warranty for the previously replaced Alternator. Hope that helps. 👍🏾

[BoredOhio]

I appreciate the info, it definitely helps. It's always nice to have people with a bit of "insider knowledge" posting here.

[winreboot]

Thanks for the info, after looking over the doc only some cars might be impacted.

Does anyone know how to check this in VCDS ?

Section B – Check Starter/Generator Software Version
• Scan the vehicle using GFF.
• Select DA 00CC <arrow A>.
• Check the software level <arrow B>.
• If the software level is less than 0562:
o Replace the starter/generator.
o Proceed to section C.
• If the software level is equal to or greater than 0562:
o The starter/generator does not require replacement.
o Proceed to section D.
NOTE
The starter/generator shown has a software level of 0523 and would require replacement.

[winreboot]

Hooked up VCDS and I think it's under Starter-Generator section. My 0527 software version looks like is below the version they said it needs to be replaced. I did not receive any mail notification.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address CC: Starter-Generator (C29) Labels:* None
Part No SW: 4N0 903 028 P HW: 4N0 903 028 P
Component: BSG-HP1-65 H18 0527
Serial number: 0603*********
Coding: 20000400000000
Shop #: WSC 38831 005 1048576
ASAM Dataset: EV_Start48VAU651 002007
ROD: EV_Start48VAU651_002.rod
VCID: 38292CB0D2D43B4AAF3-806C

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[tech30six]

hi Tech30six, based on your experience is there any indication if disabling the ASS function has any bearing on the failure rate?

The root cause of the failures have not been identified. In some cases the internal seals leak causing a short/overheating. But from my experience, they just don't seem to last with ASS active or disabled.

[tech30six]

We are beginning to see some 2022 models with failures. Some as early as 20k. It's clear Audi knows of the issue and has been trying to resolve it for some time, given the risk posed of being stranded on the roadside and the number of vehicles affected.

[BoredOhio]

It seems insane that Audi is moving forward with this 'service campaign' to replace BSGs if they don't know the reason for the failures and don't have an updated/fixed part. How will they explain to these owners when their BSG dies again after 25k miles? I understand it's not a simple problem but when your flagship performance cars have a ticking time bomb inside that makes them randomly die in the middle of the road, you'd think they'd prioritize it. I love my A7 but I hate having to worry about this.

Do the 2023 and 2024 models not use this same BSG anymore? Or are they just not old enough to be showing failures yet?

[devioustrap]

It seems insane that Audi is moving forward with this 'service campaign' to replace BSGs if they don't know the reason for the failures and don't have an updated/fixed part. How will they explain to these owners when their BSG dies again after 25k miles? I understand it's not a simple problem but when your flagship performance cars have a ticking time bomb inside that makes them randomly die in the middle of the road, you'd think they'd prioritize it. I love my A7 but I hate having to worry about this.

Do the 2023 and 2024 models not use this same BSG anymore? Or are they just not old enough to be showing failures yet?

They do have an updated part... it's been installed since late 2023. They're not replacing with the same failure prone one.

[1BadTundra]

They do have an updated part... it's been installed since late 2023. They're not replacing with the same failure prone one.

I bought my '21 a month ago, and just got the service campaign notice in the mail yesterday. I was hoping this was fixed before I bought the car.