Hmmm... what's wrong?

[llll1l1ll]

Well, I think its the alternator, but let me give you guys the low-down...

All day today, a couple of the warning lights have been dimly lit on the dash. Like, when I take the parking brake off one of them is barely lit; like, really hard to see lit. Anyway, after washing my car, the ABS light was on the most--not fully on, but dimly on. As I'm driving down the road, my radio just turns off (aftermarket radio) and I was like, "?" So, it turns on for a quick second, then fades back out. At this point, I brake hard to see if the ABS kicks in, which it does (relief!). However, I go to roll up the windows after parking and they go up reeeal slow. I shut the car off, and turn the key back to on and the radio turns back on, but I start cranking it and it just chugs. It still starts, but the car struggled. The RPM gauge also just flickered when it was cranking. It runs just fine, but struggles when starting. I don't see how the alternator could just die like that, because I haven't left the lights on or anything. It just died! Help irl

[ryan_george]

Well it does have some symptoms of a pooched alternator. And yes, they can just die.

[Digitalwave]

Before the car dies completely you should bring it to an auto parts store that can test your alternator for free, they will test your battery too probably and let you know what the problem is.

[llll1l1ll]

Think it might be a voltage regulator or something? I called my Dad and he said to check all the grounds, and they are all connected. Everything is connected just fine to the battery. I mean, the engine only has 38k miles on it. This is very confusing.

[Digitalwave]

Never heard of any voltage regulators...

[Jarvis]

Before the car dies completely you should bring it to an auto parts store that can test your alternator for free, they will test your battery too probably and let you know what the problem is.

Yeah do that.

And take less than 5 minutes to remove the voltage regulator (2 screws) on the back of the alternator and see if the brush is worn down.

Does the flickering of the lights stop if you rev the engine higher? If so it's probably just the voltage regulator - same thing happened to me 2 years ago. $5 new part online.

But get all that other stuff checked out too.

[screamingbmwe30]

tj
the altenator has an internal voltage regulator. otherwise known as the "i" circuit. it has diodes and a rectifier which convert the a/c current to d/c

[AdamF 88iS]

Check the brushes on the regulator. Much cheaper than the whole alternator.

[llll1l1ll]

How hard is it to get to the brushes on the alternator?

Basically, do I have to take off that short curvy hose in the way?

P.S. -- Would it be a problem if I drove it like it is at night, meaning using the headlights?

[Jarvis]

How hard is it to get to the brushes on the alternator?

Basically, do I have to take off that short curvy hose in the way?

It's held in by 2 philips screws.
The voltage regulator is only a couple inches long/wide. You shouldn't need to remove anything else to get it out. It will seriously take no less than 5 minutes of your time to remove, inspect and reinstall. I forget the actual minimum length the brushes should be. A simple google search should get you that info. It's pretty obvious if the part needs replacing, though.

[ethreats]

hey

what ever u do, do not attempt to ground your battery to another battery, or it might explode.

[llll1l1ll]

Will I also need a soldering iron to replace the voltage regulator (when I buy a new one)... I read that somewhere online...

It's just that here, at college, I don't have a whole lot of time--nor people to give me rides to work--to be attempting such a repair.

[bimmer8604]

Just have your alternator checked out. I have an extra one here that I might beable to part with...but shipping might be pretty high...

Kyle

[bimmer8604]

dude, seriously, the voltage regulater does not have brushes. the voltage regulator sends corrected voltage TO the brushes. The brushes are not part of the voltage regulator, they are just the brushes, a component in the alternator.

kyle

[bimmer8604]

It doesnt matter what engine your assymbling, they are all equally challanging. How can putting together one motor be easier than another? They all essentially have the same parts, so unless you arent doing things correctly, than something is wrong. I've rebuilt a few BMW motors, a few ford motors, and some chevys, even as simple as a 4.3L V6, and all were equally challanging....