Need an Alternator

[Aerton]

Hey guys my Alternator died, no better way to find out when your car won't start at the Inspection Station!!! They had already failed me for a busted side marker and wipers, yes wipers. That's OK they overlooked my Euro ellipsoids so when I go back they will just look at the wipers and the side maker. They pushed me out and I bump started and drove home. So I need an alternator, is there a mod, trick, high performance, anything special or trick here or just get a replacement. And should I buy used from the forum/eBay $30-45 or new from Autozone $99 or Bavarian$190?

Any suggestions, input?
Thank you

[e30this]

I would just buy new. most of the time you will get a core charge and get money back.
better new then used. you can always return it with no hassle.

[Aerton]

So new from Pep Boys or from Bav Auto, either way I'm guessing not Bosh but whatever they sell.

[Aerton]

AutoZone sells a rebuilt for $109. with core exchange but its not Bosch.

Auto parts Warehouse online sells a rebuilt Bosh for $157 but a $75 dollar core, they pay shipping on the way out I have to pay shipping on the core.

I guess I will look at a local store if they carry Bosh

[e30this]

just get an alt from your local store. whatever they carry. if you go ordering it then its gonna suck later on.

[aaron325ix]

you should try to find one from a later model e28 they are 115 amp compared to the 90 amp e30. Wont run at capacity when all is on, therefore not as prone to burning out. It wont fit directly but an easy mod.

[Mossman]

jesus how many people are gonna give alternator advice when his alternator is clearly fine. You might have a bad battery, or a monster draw somewhere. If you bump start it and the car runs, the alt is fine. How do you know how to bump start but not know that battery starts your car, alternator charges battery, when battery is dead, if you jump it and car runs fine its running on the alternator. Either jump/bump start it and let it run for 20 minutes and see if battery takes a charge, or trickle charge battery if you hvae a charger.

My bet is weak battery, and they left key on and maybe a bunch of lights on while doing the inspection and killed the battery.

if it turns out you need an alternator in the future, you don't right now, just get a used one. Replace voltage regulator if you're the nervous type, if not just slap it in.

[Aerton]

Thank you for that tip aaron, that is the kind of mod I was looking for. I'm good now some one from the forum is selling me one and it should be in the mail by tomorrow morning.

As for Mossman's bet I wish you where right so I would not have any down time or could use my time to do something else to the car.

Battery had died and I guess not do to drain by lights etc. but waffleswaffleswaffles to the car draining the battery. I connected a meter from the back of the Alternator and (charged the battery with external battery charger) started the car. Alternator read 12+ volts and you need 13-14 Volts. Then disconnect the battery and the car dies. So it's the alternator....

Thanks guys.

[ScentOfGasoline]

The so-called rebuilt alternators all they've new voltage regulators and diodes and painted exterior.
You can do all that yourself at home.

If the alt is not putting out 13.5 then most likely the brushes in the v. regulator are worn out (= too short).

[Aerton]

The so-called rebuilt alternators all they've new voltage regulators and diodes and painted exterior.
You can do all that yourself at home.

If the alt is not putting out 13.5 then most likely the brushes in the v. regulator are worn out (= too short).

You are shiting me, so I add this $34 dollars delivered from Autohaus and I'm done? What about the diodes where do they go. And now I'm looking for the Voltage regulator and found a guy who writes a light upgrade and says you can add a 14.4 volt regulator to boost you light output. How can that bee? You could damage things and throw electronics off by doing that. Or is the voltage regulator rated at 14.4 and that is what he is confused with????

https://www.autohausaz.com/search/cart.aspx?sid=z4qqdh553l2d2qfedcbhatq2&makeid=800003@BMW&modelid=1011777@325IC%20&year=1991&cid=18@Electrical%20%26%20Vacuum&gid=4884@Voltage%20Regulator