E46 320 - BATTERY LIGHT PROBLEM

[moranor@axis]

dont think its the alternator because then surely the noise would still be there...

 

[SP33DYV]

Check the voltage on the battery while the car is idling. Should be around 13.8 Volt. If it's less, the alternator is not charging the battery. Does the battery light stay on all the time now? I would suggest to take the alternator to a battery centre to test. I think your alternator might be faulty.

 

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Yep, battery light on all the time now. Going to switch batteries in the morn and see if it makes any difference. If not then the alternator will have to come out.

 

[SP33DYV]

Yep, battery light on all the time now. Going to switch batteries in the morn and see if it makes any difference. If not then the alternator will have to come out.

Measure the voltage on the battery while the car idles. It should be 13.8v. If not, the alternator is not charging the battery.:thumbdo:

 

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Decided to take both the alternator and battery for testing. Just battling with 1 bolt before the alternator can come off :argh:

Its the lower bolt - pic is from the net



Any ideas, suggestions?

 

[moranor@axis]

take the tensioner pulley off so you have more space...

 

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I did take off the pulley but it was still moer of a mission to get it loose. Anyways, I ate some spinach and showed that mutha who's in charge :rollsmile:

Took the alternator to the local Autolek place to bench test and they confirmed that it is not charging. They said it could be the slip ring or rectifyer.....whatever those are. They said it is a mission getting spares for Valeo altenators and suggested that I rather consider getting a Bosch alternator as spares are easily available.

Will need to evaluate that option ie. Bosch altenator

 

[moranor@axis]

not good news seeing as you already bought a part to fix the old one

 

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Yep, wasted R1670 on the regulator for the Valeo alternator. I went to Bosch and bought a Bosch unit for just under R4k. I'm tired on this problem and just want to get the car going. Will try to fit the new one this afternoon. Hope I dont need another battery as well

 

[SP33DYV]

Maybe the regulator you got from BMW is faulty??? An alternator do not just fail like that. I was lucky. My 325i has the Bosch alternator. And even though I have the Bosch, I still had to get the regulator from the dealers as Bosch SA did not even have stock, BMW did.

It's a pity that you already bought the regulator. Have they tested the new regulator separately for you?

Is the air duct the same for the Valeo and the Bosch? Just thinking...

 

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Can the regulator be tested off the alternator?

Fitted the new Bosch alternator and all is good again :rollsmile:

 

[SP33DYV]

Yes, but it depends on their test bench. Bosch auto electric was able to test my regulator separately.


Sent on the run from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

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Cool, will check with Bosch and other auto electricians if they can test the regulator. Hopefully I can get the Valeo alternator working again and sell it to recover some money.