4N0903028H / M Audi Continental Rebuilt Alternator

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The most common faults of 48-volt starter generators

Starter-generator problems are quite common in cars. The first recalls of Audi cars due to this unit in Europe date back to as early as 2020. But while dealers replaced it free of charge then, those who later experienced the «mild-hybrid disaster» as it was dubbed in the media, had to pay the cost of replacing the Audi alternator out of their own pockets.

The Audi starter-generator has been recalled in Europe since 2020.

The driver learns about the faults from the messages on the dashboard. But you should bear in mind that these will not tell you that the alternator has broken down, but that there are more general faults in systems such as:

The alternator is not the only thing that's broken down.

1. The mains
2. Start-Stop system
3. Brake power booster and other certain components connected directly to the starter-generator or 48-volt battery

Further details can be obtained from the error information available to the diagnostic equipment. The most common errors that the ECU generates in the event of 48-volt system failures are:

• P065C00 Alternator mechanical characteristics - Intermittent operation

Also available:

• U046900 Starter generator control unit, 36564 invalid signal
• P0CA700 Hybrid drive battery, discharge current too high
• U046900 Starter/generator control unit, invalid signal

The most common problems are caused by electrical boards and contacts in the alternator processors breaking down. While Audi officially cited moisture as the cause of some of the recalls, the real cause was different. The operating current was too high, causing the power transistors to heat up and the power board to blow out.

A car in most cases stops showing signs of life, i.e. immobilises, because the alternator, when it fails, completely drains the 48-volt battery and the battery goes into protection. Even installing a new alternator doesn't solve the problem: first you had to remove the protection with ODIS. In addition, the discharge of the high-voltage battery threatened it with irreparable processes – destruction of cells. In addition, in most cases, the car stops showing «signs of life» i.e. it becomes immobilised.

Categorieën: Alternators, Starters / Alternators

Merken: Continental