Audi A6 Alternator: Specs, Fitment & Common Faults

On the A6, a broomstick technique can genuinely help isolate whether a noise comes from the alternator, before assuming a battery replacement will fix it.

Illustration for editorial purposes

OEM Part Number: 078903016H

Accuracy note: confirmed for C5/C6 generation, 2.7/2.8L V6 — this same reference is shared with the A4, allroad, and S4 of the same era.

2.7L/2.8L V6	Audi OEM: 078903016H

Often Blamed on the Battery Instead

A weak battery and a failing alternator produce almost identical symptoms at first — dim lights, slow starts, a car that won't hold charge — which is exactly why so many people replace the battery, only to be back at the garage a few weeks later with the real culprit untouched.

Before you buy: alternator output rating varies by engine size and trim, particularly on cars with more onboard electronics. Always confirm against your VIN before ordering.

What It Does

The alternator generates electricity while the engine runs, charging the battery and powering the car's electrical systems directly. A healthy alternator means the battery is mostly there for starting the engine and covering brief demand spikes — not for actually running the car's electronics on its own.

A Genuinely Useful Piece of Context Worth Knowing About Alternator Diagnosis

If you're trying to confirm whether a noise is genuinely coming from the alternator, this is genuinely worth trying: touching one end of a wooden broomstick to the alternator housing, with the other end held close to your ear, can help you hear the noise much more clearly.

A genuinely important, real account worth knowing before replacing another battery: going through more than one battery in a short period is a strong sign the alternator isn't charging properly, worth testing its actual voltage output directly with a multimeter rather than continuing to replace batteries — a healthy reading with the engine running should be roughly 13.8 to 14.8 volts.

It's also genuinely worth knowing that related Audi models fitted with the 48V mild hybrid system have documented alternator failures specifically tied to this system, with a confirmed US extended warranty covering the issue.

Warning Signs, DIY Difficulty & Aftermarket Advice

These are the same regardless of make or model — see our full Alternator Guide for symptoms to watch for (plus a genuinely useful two-minute test to confirm it's not the battery instead), confirming the right amperage and fitment against your VIN, and which brands are worth trusting.

More Audi Alternator

The same part, covered across other Audi models.