Audi A4 Electrical Problem

[JELLYFISH]

I have a 1995 Audi A4 2.6 SE. Lovely car, but the electrics can be tempramental. The Air con display is intermittent, but it works fine and there is a click, somewhere around the glove box every time i switch on the ignition! Now, when i switch on the lights the instrument lights are so faint i can barely see them and the rest of the display lights dim as well!
The radio switches its self off regularly and still works even when the ignition is switched off, as do the electric windows! Once every few months the battery seems to drain of power and although it bump starts easily, the engine management goes haywire for the first few miles, presumably because of the lack of power in the battery!
Has anyone had any similar problems? I'm a bit loathe to book it into an auto electricians in case it costs a fortune!
I was wondering if these are separate problems or if they're related in some way!

[Turbokiisseli]

Intermittent AC display can usually be fixed by going throught the solders at the back of the AC unit. Also check and clean the connectors to the instrument cluster and make sure that the battery terminals are not corroded or dirty.

[Audi A4 Lover]

Dont mean to sound too insultive(if thats even a word) but have you tried turning up the brightness of the dash?Its the same nob thats used to alter the clock, just turn it and the brightness will alter.As for the battery going flat, it might just be time for a new one?Cars and theyre comonents are only designed to last 10 years, with yours being a 95' its well past its time so the battery might simply want replacing.

[JELLYFISH]

Cheers Chris, i've just tried that and although i can't see if the instrument lights are on (coz it's bright sunlight outside) my mileage reading is nice and bright now, so i think that'll have done the trick. I'll have to take her for a spin tonight just to make sure! You're a genius! (or am i just a plonker?).
I did disconnect the battery + clean the terminals last time i had the starting problem, which meant i had to re-set the clock !!
Think i'll have to 'bite the bullet' and invest in a new battery!
Thanks mate.
Scott.

[Audi A4 Lover]

Cheers You're a genius! (or am i just a plonker?).




Id say its a combination of the two ;)
As for the battery, your car will deffinatly appreciate it, I think mine might be due one soon, its just starting to turn over a bit slow. But then again, a nice long charge might sort it out. Have you tried that?An alternator will charge a battery up to capacity, but a proper charger will always have better effects on it.:beerchug:

[JELLYFISH]

Good idea mate. Think i'll try that before spending out on a new one!
I live on the Isle of Wight, so i'm always doing short journeys and i guess the battery never really gets a good long charge!
Question is, do i really need a 2.6 V6. Well of course i do ! She's such a lovely car to drive and i just couldn't go back to my old Diahatsu Charade!
All the best!
Scott

[Audi A4 Lover]

Of course you needa 2.6 v6 everyone does!I personally need something even a bit bigger than that!Im currently plodding round in a 4 cylinder 1.6 :( But it does me for now, at the tender age of 22 I cant really afford to run anythign bigger than this, but I wil do in time!Good luck with those electrical gremlins!Let me know if you need any more help!