Hi all

I have a 2003 Seat Ibiza TDI Sport, with the VW TDI PD130 engine, on
63k miles.
As far as I can tell, it's fitted with a Bosch 90A alternator.

Recently I've started getting a warning light illuminating from time to
time.
I hooked up vag-com and I keep getting the following fault:

17911 - Load signal from Alternator Term. DF: Implausible signal

Typically on my 40-odd mile commute, it will happen 3 or 4 times - each
time, I restart the car and the light goes out for a while. The fault
does not seem to coincide with any particular driving style or
movement, and can come on at any engine speed.

The voltmeter on the dash always shows a healthy 14v, and there are no
other noticeable faults.
The connections to the alternator all look fine - 1 main charge cable,
and two small wires sharing one connector.

My knowledge of alternators isn't great - can anyone suggest what the
fault might be ?

The car is out of warranty, so I'm loathe to pay the stealers prices to
fix it.

Any ideas ?

Thanks!

On Tue, 26 Jul 2005 18:19:23 +0100, muddyboots   
wrote:


> Hi all
>
> I have a 2003 Seat Ibiza TDI Sport, with the VW TDI PD130 engine, on
> 63k miles.
> As far as I can tell, it's fitted with a Bosch 90A alternator.
>
> Recently I've started getting a warning light illuminating from time to
> time.
> I hooked up vag-com and I keep getting the following fault:
>
> 17911 - Load signal from Alternator Term. DF: Implausible signal
>
> Typically on my 40-odd mile commute, it will happen 3 or 4 times - each
> time, I restart the car and the light goes out for a while. The fault
> does not seem to coincide with any particular driving style or
> movement, and can come on at any engine speed.
>
> The voltmeter on the dash always shows a healthy 14v, and there are no
> other noticeable faults.
> The connections to the alternator all look fine - 1 main charge cable,
> and two small wires sharing one connector.
>
> My knowledge of alternators isn't great - can anyone suggest what the
> fault might be ?
>
> The car is out of warranty, so I'm loathe to pay the stealers prices to
> fix it.
>
> Any ideas ?
>
> Thanks!
>




Dirty connecter to the back of the alternator.

The charge cable is secure. I removed the 2-way connector to check it,
this was perfectly clean and secure too...

On Wed, 27 Jul 2005 08:57:27 +0100, muddyboots   
wrote:


> The charge cable is secure. I removed the 2-way connector to check it,
> this was perfectly clean and secure too...
>



I've not gor it for that model but the erwin electrical systems  
troubleshooting sheet night be your best chance, also the vag-com forums &  
US Audi forums.

Thanks for your reply.

I hadn't heard of erWin until I just googled for it; any idea how much
it costs to get hold of such sheets ?
(Unfortunately the search only lists Ibizas up to Mk3, mine is a
Mk4...)

If one was to find it's way to me I'd be eternally grateful ;)

On Wed, 27 Jul 2005 12:39:10 +0100, muddyboots   
wrote:


> Thanks for your reply.
>
> I hadn't heard of erWin until I just googled for it; any idea how much
> it costs to get hold of such sheets ?
> (Unfortunately the search only lists Ibizas up to Mk3, mine is a
> Mk4...)
>
> If one was to find it's way to me I'd be eternally grateful ;)
>



It's about 8, you can find copies of all the data lurking on Ebay or  
warez cds, I've not got the Ibiza one.

More than likely a faulty regulator on the alternator. Modern alternators 
have an additional data connection to feed load info to the ECU. Everything 
will work away ok if you can put up with the light flashing on and off. 
Otherwise fit a new regulator.

John.

"muddyboots"  wrote in message 
news:1122398363.401670.211850@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...

> Hi all
>
> I have a 2003 Seat Ibiza TDI Sport, with the VW TDI PD130 engine, on
> 63k miles.
> As far as I can tell, it's fitted with a Bosch 90A alternator.
>
> Recently I've started getting a warning light illuminating from time to
> time.
> I hooked up vag-com and I keep getting the following fault:
>
> 17911 - Load signal from Alternator Term. DF: Implausible signal
>
> Typically on my 40-odd mile commute, it will happen 3 or 4 times - each
> time, I restart the car and the light goes out for a while. The fault
> does not seem to coincide with any particular driving style or
> movement, and can come on at any engine speed.
>
> The voltmeter on the dash always shows a healthy 14v, and there are no
> other noticeable faults.
> The connections to the alternator all look fine - 1 main charge cable,
> and two small wires sharing one connector.
>
> My knowledge of alternators isn't great - can anyone suggest what the
> fault might be ?
>
> The car is out of warranty, so I'm loathe to pay the stealers prices to
> fix it.
>
> Any ideas ?
>
> Thanks!
> 

Thanks John...
Worked out today that the warning always illuminates exactly 10 minutes
after the engine is started...so I guess the ECU tries reading an
erratic signal for 10 minutes before deciding to give up and flag a
fault.

I don't think regulators cost that much, so no harm in trying one.

Cheers
Lee

> I've not gor it for that model but the erwin electrical systems
> troubleshooting sheet night be your best chance, also the vag-com forums &
> US Audi forums.



I've Googled for erwin electrical systems troubleshooting sheet and drawn a
blank.  Do you have a link please.

Thanks

https://erwin.seat.com/

:)