Alternator problems
Alternator: Device that generates the electric current that charges the battery.
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Possible Failing Alternator?? 
Solved
Volkswagen Passat 2012 TDI SE 192000 miles
I have a 2012 VW Passat TDi SE that I have owned since April 2025. I put in a brand-new battery when I bought it, and it lasted me all summer into august as I was starting and driving it almost every other day. In September my battery died and had to get it replaced. At that time, I thought that I had some sort of parasitic power draw specifically from my new radio I got. In late august I bought an RCD360 radio to add CarPlay/Android Auto to my car.
When I replaced my battery, I went ahead and just manually wired the power input for the radio to 12v ACC so that the radio will not receive pow… Read complete
CommentAlternator not generating enough current to maintain 14.5 volts being
Volkswagen Passat 2010 Sedan 2.0 litre diesel turbo 4 cylinders 160000 miles
Alternator requires replacing. Would like to know the process required to replace alternator in my vehicle and what tools required. Very big thanks in advance
Intermittent No Start / Rough Start and or crank
Volkswagen Passat 2012 TDI SE 194000 miles
Have a 2012 VW Passat TDI SE with 194k miles on it. I just ran into another issue with it not wanting to start with the DPF light and flashing glow plug light only on while turning over the engine. When it does want to start after 5 or 6 tries, the lights go away. And sometimes it will start and then immediately die, or it will start and drive with no issues, or it will not start at all and just keep turning over.
Some more info on this car, I do have a power draw coming from the newly replaced remanufactured alternator (about 0.6 amps) so I have to unplug the battery every time I park it. I… Read complete
Want to see different part of the engine
Volkswagen Passat 2011 1.6 tdi manual transmission 250000 miles
i have some probleme alternator and different other parts
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Problems with a Passat? Share them
Since you measured aroung 13V-13.2V (Which is a little bit lower than you want it to be) I'd suggest doing this:
Measure these directly on the +/- of the battery.
Let it idle, but turn on all Loads (AC, Heated seating, Windshield, Radio, basically everything that buts a load on the battery/alternator electically)
When you measure, you should not drop below 13.5V and not above 15V
Also try measuring with midrange RPM, also should'nt drop below 13.5V and 15V.
If you see it below 13.5 you should also, before settling on the alternator, measure the Resistance on the Cables that go from the alternator to the battery. If you see a high resistance it could also be corrosion taking place here.
Note: Please disconnect the battery when measuring the resistance in the cable. It should still work but to be 100% sure do it, since the multimeter sends its own current through the cable that could alter the result.
I hope it helps :)