Need help in RI; alternator possibly...

[SlapDash]

Fellow New Englanders,

I'm in a bind here. I think the alternator has kicked it in my '88 325is (April '88 if that makes a difference). Battery keeps dying (going to have the batt checked at Wally this evening). If it is the battery, fabulous. If not, I'll be looking for a cheap alternator. If anyone has one taking up space, I'd be interested in taking it off your hands if the price is right. Most interested in the extreme local, one that I could pick up, hence the New England post.

This was very sudden too. One morning hard starting, brought to bus stop, left it for the day, didn't start when I got back. Jumped it in second, ran all the way home (about 2 miles). In driveway, turned car off and on several times with no trouble. However, overnight, dead battery again. I have a 10-year-old CD player in there, otherwise no other fancy electrics.

This is quite the bad timing for this as I have one car already down and I'm closing on a house on the 7th. I don't really want to take a cab to the closing.

Thanks for any help you can swing my way.

Oh, and I have some interior bits that I could trade for the alt too, if anyone's interested in going that route.

[mikeday]

Just noticed this now. I have one kicking around at my parents house if you still need one.

[SlapDash]

Problem solved!

Alternator checked out ok at AutoZone. It was the pesky voltage regulator to blame. $30 at Carquest and a one-day turn around on ordering.

[SlapDash]

Problem solved even further!

The next day, after my install, the car barely wanted to start at all. I had a few choice words with it. However, my blood came back down to simmer, I noticed that the trunk, though closed, was raised a little and out of adjustment. Through the crack, I noticed that trunk light was glowing and glowing dim.

I still needed the regulator, but if you run into this problem, check the trunk.