power problem

[Il Duce]

I recently drove up to Los Angeles and on my way up (its about a 2 hour drive), the CD player cut out. I thought this was weird, so i turned it back on, and it stayed on for another 5 minutes, and then it shut off, this time for good. Then i noticed that my tachometer stopped working. Realizing that my car had a power problem, I then turned my lights off, (it was day time) and the tach started working again.

Basically the car is running great at the higher RPM's, but once i come to a complete stop, the car idles around 300-500 and then dies. i've replaced the battery, as it was reading 10.5 even with the car off, and when i would start the car it went down to 7. new battery is fine, but the car is having the same problems.

Also, the dash warning lights keep flashing from bright-to dim and back again. (i havent had that problem since my M3 broke down because the alternator was loose)

i replaced the JC chip i had in there too w/ the stock one, and its running a little better (not stalling, but the RPMs are still way low when i first stop and then they creep back up to 700) not sure what else i should do! :sad:

[Brew]

Definitely sounds like a charging issue. Check out the voltage regulator brushes-- I believe the min. length is 5mm. If that fails, then you'll need a new alternator.

[bimmer8604]

check voltage regulator. could also be your windings in the alternator itself.

Kyle

[Brew]

check voltage regulator. could also be your windings in the alternator itself.

Kyle

Ha. I win.

[Il Duce]

matt gave me a new alternator, the problem is that the one on my car looks newer. :/

[permit]

I'll buy your car so you don't have to fix the problem.

[Il Duce]

I'll buy your car so you don't have to fix the problem.

if anything i'm just going to have to go s50 sooner than planned.

[e30sd]

fin your bumper trim first

[permit]

Put in the S50 (professionally installed, of course), find a nice M3, and sell the black car to me. I'd sell my car so quickly if your car ever became available, S50 or not.

[mspiegle]

matt gave me a new alternator, the problem is that the one on my car looks newer. :/

Does your car show proper charging voltage when running? That would tell you if the alternator is doing anything at all.

Didn't you just put new headlights in? You should double-check all the wiring too

[Il Duce]

Does your car show proper charging voltage when running? That would tell you if the alternator is doing anything at all.

Didn't you just put new headlights in? You should double-check all the wiring too

12.8, goes down to 11.5 w/ the new battery on start up.


and i took the new headlights off, didnt do anything.

thanks for the suggestions.

[AdamF 88iS]

You only have 11.5 volts while the car is running? It should be in the 13s. You have a charging problem.

[Il Duce]

You only have 11.5 volts while the car is running? It should be in the 13s. You have a charging problem.

when i start the car, it drops down to 11.5 then goes back up to like 12.8

[Brew]

While it is normal for the voltage to drop while cranking, it should jump back up to 13.5+ after the engine starts. Voltage regulator -> alternator. The longer you drive it, the more damage you will cause to the new battery.

[Il Duce]

yeah, i know it's normal for it to drop. before it would drop down to like 7!


i'm replacing the alternator tomorrow, hopefully thats it...