Bosch Alternator

[monoblanco]

Good day gents.
Im trying to be certain my alternator is bad before purchasing another.


I noticed dashboard lights started dimming while driving.
Then all dashboard lights lit up like christmas tree.
Then car died while driving.

Everything points to lack of power.

AAA came and tested power. Machine indicated weak alternator.

I examined the belts a minute ago. The thing is, I am missing this belt indicated in red. Is this belt consequential at all for the alternator to function?

The reason I'm somewhat skeptical is because I purchased a new BOSCH alternator back in 2014.



Thank you in advance.

[iPee]

The belt in red is not needed for alternator to function properly. I've ran without the a/c belt for awhile when it snapped.


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[flying_violin]

In my E30 318IS the belts look more like this.



The belt is tensioned with the alternator, so try tensioning the belt to see if you can remove any slack. You'll need a 13mm and a 19mm wrench for that. (Loosen the 13mm but, then use the 19mm to pull the alternator towards the fender, and then tighten the 13mm down to hold it.)

If the belt is tight, then you could remove the alternator from the car and take it in to the auto parts store and have them test it.

[monoblanco]

Yea absolutely the 2nd diagram is much more accurate.
I'll check the slack as well.
The belt was squealing when the car was cold before.
Would be rad if tightening it does the trick.

[TobyB]

the first diagram is for the e36...

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[roguetoaster]

Yea absolutely the 2nd diagram is much more accurate.
I'll check the slack as well.
The belt was squealing when the car was cold before.
Would be rad if tightening it does the trick.

Did you hear the squealing belt when turning or when just driving normally? If the former I'd look to the power steering belt.

If it's not the belt, your alternator itself is likely to be just fine, with only the brush/regulator assembly needing replacement. You can buy the assembly independently or go to a junkyard and get one. Replacing it requires removing the alternator and then removing two screws that hold the regulator/brushes in place.