F**king alturdnator

[dashboardmonkey]

My alt. went out today, I think. Driving along and the wipers quit and the radio shut off, then it dies. Checked voltage at the battery, 11.xx volts. Checked voltage at the alt, same voltage. Swapped in the alternator from my 88, (which has become more of a parts car lately) Tested voltage. 13.xx volts. Left to go somewhere made it 10 blocks and it started doing the same thing, then it dies. Got it bump started and came home with no accessories on and tested voltage, 11.xx volts again, WTF.

I think my alt. out of the 88 was on its last leg. Gonna pick up another in a little while. Maybe someone can chime in with something I may be missing. The charging system is not that complicated so I don't think I am missing anything, but you never know.

Hook a brutha up with some insight if you guys have had similar issues.

TIA.

[bmw325csi]

Alturdnator for sure. We just had the same problem on my buddies e36 m3. Swapped a used one, still fucked up. The brand new one did the trick.

[dashboardmonkey]

Alturdnator for sure. We just had the same problem on my buddies e36 m3. Swapped a used one, still fucked up. The brand new one did the trick.

Not what I wanted to hear, Gonna go with a used known good alt. and pray like a mofo. I don't have that kind of money right meow.

I do appreciate the fast response tho

[bmw325csi]

well a re-built 140 amp bosch unit is like 260 from BMA. I saw some as low as 125 bucks

[StereoInstaller1]

make sure the battery is fully charged!

you know where my charger is, right?

[Quadrajet]

It could be your brush set is worn to the point it's not contacting anymore. It's a all together unit with the voltage regulator.
I actually scored some from a local wrecking yard. They cost me all of $3 ea. One was new and one was still about 70 usable. Most of the Euro cars I saw used the same Bosch body, and it's only retained by 2 screws or bolts. Easy swap, now my Battery gets charged and all is well.
Look up the spec for brush length in the back of Bentley's, IIRC 5mm is discard and 12 is new.

[AndrewBird]

What Luke said. A dead battery will kill an alternator QUICK.

[dashboardmonkey]

make sure the battery is fully charged!

you know where my charger is, right?

Yeah it's still in my garage.

Nearly new optima. But I will definitely give it a good charge.

Sorry about the thread title, I'll keep that out next time.

[mikeedler]

make surethat the bulb indicator for the battery is working correctly in the cluster. if it has a short, the alt will stop charging too.

[aleuro]

Im selling a brand new BOSCH alternator for an m20 engine if your interested. $130

[e30nub]

It could be your brush set is worn to the point it's not contacting anymore. It's a all together unit with the voltage regulator.
I actually scored some from a local wrecking yard. They cost me all of $3 ea. One was new and one was still about 70 usable. Most of the Euro cars I saw used the same Bosch body, and it's only retained by 2 screws or bolts. Easy swap, now my Battery gets charged and all is well.
Look up the spec for brush length in the back of Bentley's, IIRC 5mm is discard and 12 is new.

This guy is right! I had this happen twice already, (once on my 318is and once on my 325is.) Go snag that shit quick! I got one from a local guy who does a bunch of electronics for cars for like 15 bucks or something.

[dashboardmonkey]

I got another (third) supposed good alt I am gonna try.

So now I have two extras that I am gonna take apart and do some testing on parts.
Any one know of a spec sheet on the components inside the alt I can reference with?

[dashboardmonkey]

Oh yeah the batt bulb indicator in the cluster works. I think.

[dashboardmonkey]

make surethat the bulb indicator for the battery is working correctly in the cluster. if it has a short, the alt will stop charging too.

Must give credit where it is due. THANK YOU!

Had a bad connection in the cluster on that bulb. Never would have found it without that post.

Chaging strong as it should be now.

Thank you again, you ARE a life saver.