Battery/Alternator Query:E46 330i

[Yuben]

Guys I was on my way home about 30mins ago, just as I passed Mailbongwe I saw the battery light come on :thumbdo:
As I accelerated I went off and as it decelerated the light came back on.

I also noticed that intermittently previously that the facia lights and OBC goes dim for a second.

I still have the original battery which is 10 years old:fencelook:

I have installed an amp about 2 months ago.

Not sure if it the battery on its way out or a problem with the alternator.

About 10 minutes ago I got back from the shop, no signs of any gremlins since then.

Any suggestions ?

Thanks Guys:thumbs:

 

[ernest maurice]

Should be the alternator, battery doesn't usually show on cluster. Mine did that also, then the following day the light was on the whole time, had to get a new bosch alternator as the Valeo I had was going to cost over 2k to repair , bosch was 3k for a new unit. Check your alternator wires if they are all intact.

 

[SP33DYV]

Alternator Yuben, probably just a new regulator. Well I hope it's just the regulator.


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[Iceman007]

Regulator

 

[sash]

+1 on the regulator

 

[Yuben]

Thanks Guys, will check out the Regulator tomorrow:thumbs:

 

[ernest maurice]

Lets hope your Alternator is not a Valeo, they say repairing a Valeo is expensive, thats why I ended up getting a Bosch replacement.

 

[Prev]

alternator....had the same issue with my 320i. Bought a new regulator from BMW (R1800 odd) for the Valeo unit and it didn't solve the problem. Ended up buying a complete Bosch unit from Diesel Electric and problem solved.

I eventually recon'd the Valeo unit with the new regulator and fitted it to my E36 :thumbs:

 

[Yuben]

Alternator Yuben, probably just a new regulator. Well I hope it's just the regulator.


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Any idea where I can take it for an opinion?
If I just need to replace the regulator, does the alternator still need to be overhauled?
If I'm understanding correctly, the OEM one is the Valeo?

Could the amp have caused the alternator to give in:thinking:

 

[ernest maurice]

Seams both Valeo and Bosch are OEM, Bosch is better maintenance wise, thats what the Auto who fitted mine said, valeo parts are expensive and not found everywhere like bosch

 

[Ralf*]

the amplifier installation could be co-incidental, but then again it may be the source of your problems.....not because the amplifier is faulty, but possibly the wiring installation may have critically interferred somewhere

get your hands on a multimeter, and then check the voltage output from your alternator....it would probably be around the 13v range with minimal electrics, and up to 13.5v when load is placed on the system (lights/defrost)

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PS...the battery normally acts as a "buffer" in the electrics system, basically smoothening out the bumps and ripples in the demand and supply of the electrical charge system.

The battery light on the dash. is linked to voltage regulator side of the alternator, not the battery, what it essentially warns you is that the electric system is not being "topped" up by the alternator, and you have limited power available from the reserve that is the battery

 

[Yuben]

Thanks Ralf :thumbs:

 

[Yuben]

Didnt have a chance to have it checked out today.

Guys any suggestions where I can get it checked out?

 

[Iceman007]

Its sure to be the regulator. Just hope you have a bosch. Sparxx sells the spares for those alternators

 

[SP33DYV]

Alternator Yuben, probably just a new regulator. Well I hope it's just the regulator.


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Any idea where I can take it for an opinion?
If I just need to replace the regulator, does the alternator still need to be overhauled?
If I'm understanding correctly, the OEM one is the Valeo?

Could the amp have caused the alternator to give in:thinking:

Two OEM variants, Valeo and Bosch.
Take it to any Diesel Electric to test the Regulator/Alternator.
I replaced just the regulator on my alternator, no need to refurb/overhaul it, unless there is a need to.

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BTW, you should get 13.8v on the battery terminals when the car is idling or you can use the hidden menus on the OBC to check.

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[video=youtube]

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And don't listen to the idiot in the video, the voltage should be 13.8 when the car is idling.

 

[Jorge Bonifacio]

Hi Yuben,

Have you come right with your alternator? The amp does have an effect on your charging system as the load is a greater now that you have the amp. It is best that you have the alternator opened if it is faulty as they need to machine the slip rings on the rotor other wise you stand a chance of breaking the new brushes on the new regulator. There is a reputable crowd out on the West Rand in Krugersdorp they have been there since 1965. If you need their contact details I can pass it on to you. I know they have all the workshop manuals and diagnostic equipment for BMW as they sorted mine out.

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Yuben I forgot to mention that the blokes I took my car to, can test the alternator charging rate in the car, so you do not have to remove it.

 

[Iceman007]

:fencelook:

just replace the regulator if its a bosch. Dont waste time and money on anything else. I replaced mine on my e46 when it was at about 120 000km and it was fine till I sold it at 178k and As far as I heard still going with no problems. Just 1 tip. Buy an origenal bosh part. I had issues when I tried a pirate regulator.

 

[SP33DYV]

:fencelook:

just replace the regulator if its a bosch. Dont waste time and money on anything else. I replaced mine on my e46 when it was at about 120 000km and it was fine till I sold it at 178k and As far as I heard still going with no problems. Just 1 tip. Buy an origenal bosh part. I had issues when I tried a pirate regulator.

What he said.^


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[Yuben]

Thanks guys for the valuable input.
The car is at the auto electrician today.
Apparently the regulator and rectifier is stuffed :thumbdo::bangdesk:

 

[Kish2604]

I have a valeo alternator for sale, came of my e46 330i... drop me a pm if you keen...

:thumbs: