alternator bearings

[P1000]

That is the jump start point IIRC.

on the alternator?

it is not connected and i do have a jumpstarting point between cylinder 5 & 6 on the intake manifold.

Oh, sorry, I misunderstood then, thought you were taking about the connector on the intake manifold. I think that terminal is just a duplicate terminal, but I cannot remember.

 

[Heinrich]

i wonder if another/older BMW that had 2 battery's used the same alternator?

 

[Heinrich]

i spoke to a friend last night concerning the 2 battery teminals on my alternator.

he said that , on some other/older BMW's ,that terminal was used to supply an independent airbag system.

 

[Heinrich]

Alternator in, nice constant 14v charge, but my battery still dies.
checked the battery, the color indicator says it's fooked.

so i will try and get a new one since it's only 4 months old.

i have also started reading up on why specifically E39 BMW's have battery drain issues.
seems that the most common source is the final stage unit (internal fan speed controller)
my internal fan did start to change speed on its own and every now and then i hear it going on when the car is not on.
this my be how it is supposed to be (i don't know for sure, maybe i am starting to hear things)

anybody else have experience with this?

 

[P1000]

Another common drain is old tracking units - maybe check that there is none left over from previous owners.

 

[Heinrich]

Another common drain is old tracking units - maybe check that there is none left over from previous owners.

i will check that.
once found one in the rear door of car.

the previous owner said that there is nothing, but i will check anyway.

 

[Heinrich]

just opened the footwell to access the FSU, found a car kit speaker lying there and i suspect still connected to something as i was not able to pull the wires out.

wonder if i have a car kit lying in there somewhere.

 

[Solo Man]

Re my reply to this post earlier, i think i have found the problem with the "bearing rumble". I took off the idler pulleys and cleaned and greased them and put them back. Put new belts on as well and started the car with the fan and covers off. It turns out to be the idler making the racket as it is adjusting the belt as it goes around. The new belt had the idler adjusting all the time and i could hear the noise quite clearly. When the engine is warm/hot, the noise goes away. I think it is a combination of the cold belt/cold engine that makes the noise. (I hope so)!!!