Dreaded Red Battery light

[DazBlackCSL]

Quick question, this is a bit weird and not the usual thing that happens when the light appears and the Alternator is a dead duck etc ( it might be )

So for over a year now, the light has come and gone, not that much on, and only for a few miles then goes out.

Started about year ago, and over that time been on and off 4/5 times, and remember I drive it every single day and normally 30 miles + each time so no short journeys, involving M4 and some country twistys.

BUT last night when pulling off the M4 it appeared and did not go out, have spent most of the day, giving it some TLC with the bucket... and when finished thought id spin round the block for 15/20 mins to see if I could shake the light out .. but not this time :bigcry:

So what's your thoughts on this, I have decided not to use it now, and will after 9am on monday call BM emergency recovery / service and get it into the stealer... it says not to use it when the light is on as it could overheat, and as the light has never stayed on for more than 5/10 mins, not been able to take it to them as it's running fine and with no battery light on :smt102

So all a bit strange, as everyone else ive spoken to and seen post's about this, has just broken down and come to a halt after light appears and gets the Bat / Alternator etc replaced under warranty.

:smt100

any ideas chaps and chapette :smt023

[s.mac]

mine was on and off just like yours Daz for a year, no problems including track days and it was on and off all the time, not just a few times like you mentioned. No problems at all but Murketts changed the alternator under warranty when it was in recently.

BTW Is the car running better ?

[shimmy]

could be a belt loose this time as i think when alternator goes you only get 4-5 hours before the car grinds to a halt :thumbs:

[DazBlackCSL]

Nice day to spend outside giving it some TLC tho... rather be driving it :bigcry:

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn67/dazzam3_photo/DSC03290.jpg
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn67/dazzam3_photo/DSC03286.jpg
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn67/dazzam3_photo/DSC03293.jpg

[s.mac]

they changed the belt as well ! although I had to pay for that

no labour charge though...

[DazBlackCSL]

mine was on and off just like yours Daz for a year, no problems including track days and it was on and off all the time, not just a few times like you mentioned. No problems at all but Murketts changed the alternator under warranty when it was in recently.

BTW Is the car running better ?


Hmmm will get it in Monday I think and push for that...

Yes it actually feels a tad more responsive with the non cat pipe, really raw sound from the outside too, and yes lost the splutter now ;)

[DazBlackCSL]

could be a belt loose this time as i think when alternator goes you only get 4-5 hours before the car grinds to a halt :thumbs:


Hmmm weird it went in for Oil service two weeks ago, and I asked them to check it, and they said belt was fine :smt102

Hmmm bloody thing, will get it in, just dont want my five hours to run out whilst im in it :hahaha:

[shane@mbtech]

Hmmm weird it went in for Oil service two weeks ago, and I asked them to check it, and they said belt was fine :smt102

Hmmm bloody thing, will get it in, just dont want my five hours to run out whilst im in it :hahaha:


Just get a multimeter, put it on volts across your battery, run your car and it should rise from the 11-12v not running to 13-14v when running. This will tell you if its charging or not. If its not charging at all, I doubt you will get 5 hours from your battery, more like 30-45mins.

[DazBlackCSL]

Just get a multimeter, put it on volts across your battery, run your car and it should rise from the 11-12v not running to 13-14v when running. This will tell you if its charging or not. If its not charging at all, I doubt you will get 5 hours from your battery, more like 30-45mins.

Only issue is, as you can see in the pics, no garage solutions and car round the side in bays with no electric anywhere near so not as easy as that...

Which one do you use out of interest ?

Ta

[s.mac]

and yes lost the splutter now ;)

:thumbs:

[shane@mbtech]

Only issue is, as you can see in the pics, no garage solutions and car round the side in bays with no electric anywhere near so not as easy as that...

Which one do you use out of interest ?

Ta


You dont need electrics, they are battery powered. Buy a cheapo one from halfords/maplins

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?criteria=Multimeter&source=15

very simple to do daz, :thumbs: there will be some basic instructions in the box,

PS your battery is in the boot on the off side

[glendog74]

could be a belt loose this time as i think when alternator goes you only get 4-5 hours before the car grinds to a halt :thumbs:

Try 15 mins! That's how long mine lasted :banghead:

[DazBlackCSL]

You dont need electrics, they are battery powered. Buy a cheapo one from halfords/maplins

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?criteria=Multimeter&source=15

very simple to do daz, :thumbs: there will be some basic instructions in the box,

PS your battery is in the boot on the off side


lol :hahaha: TA !

[Bounce]

I drove for about 20mins,then took it home and let the BMW come and take it on a truck.;).Are the new alternators any better or will these fail prematurely.:bigcry:

[shimmy]

How much are new alternators?

[outnumbered]

How much are new alternators?

About £500 incl fitting from a dealer when mine went. Supposedly you can get the same part at 1/2 price from GSF.

[shimmy]

About £500 incl fitting from a dealer when mine went. Supposedly you can get the same part at 1/2 price from GSF.

GSF?

[glendog74]

GSF?

http://www.gsfcarparts.com/ :thumbs:

[Bounce]

How much are new alternators?Just had a look on Euro car parts and a Lucas Alternator to fit a E46 M3 is £280.Thats about £200 cheaper than a dealer;),athough i think Oem is Bosch,not that there any good.:hahaha:

[shimmy]

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=AL9407X

original bosch alternator from TMS = US$210 :birdman: = £135 + vat


i might get one just incase!

[DazBlackCSL]

Phoned BM at 9.05 and really helpful girl organised a proper tech to come out in the std stickered up 5 series estate, who was also a top lad.

Tested the old girl, and confirmed the Alternator was "FUCKED" :hahaha:

So rather than risk getting her on a trailer, as its sitting on Clubsports with Race Springs, so very low, the guy followed me to the dealer.

Good job as after about 5 miles had all the lights come on and it just coasted to a halt, quick change of battery from the nice man following and continue to the dealer.

Car in and part ordered under warranty, arriving tom and ready in PM once I finish with the R8 :whistle:

So good Job I didnt go out in her yesterday and now I can rest easily now knowing no more red light solutions ... save them for lads trips in the future :whistle:

[glendog74]

Car in and part ordered under warranty, arriving tom and ready in PM once I finish with the R8 :whistle:

So good Job I didnt go out in her yesterday and now I can rest easily now knowing no more red light solutions ... save them for lads trips in the future :whistle:

Cool - glad you're getting it sorted mate. :thumbs:

BTW, the red lights are problems - not 'solutions' :hahaha:

[DazBlackCSL]

Cool - glad you're getting it sorted mate. :thumbs:

BTW, the red lights are problems - not 'solutions' :hahaha:

In the car yes .. elsewhere not http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/adult/hump.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net/free-tongue-smileys.php) :smt112

[glendog74]

In the car yes .. elsewhere not http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/adult/hump.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net/free-tongue-smileys.php) :smt112

Mmmm - depends which way you look at it! Personally, i love 'em!

Thank you please! http://www.puregt.com/Forum/upload/images/smilies/asskiss.gif http://www.puregt.com/Forum/upload/images/smilies/asskiss.gif http://www.puregt.com/Forum/upload/images/smilies/asskiss.gif http://www.puregt.com/Forum/upload/images/smilies/asskiss.gif http://www.puregt.com/Forum/upload/images/smilies/asskiss.gif

[DazBlackCSL]

Mmmm - depends which way you look at it! Personally, i love 'em!

Thank you please! http://www.puregt.com/Forum/upload/images/smilies/asskiss.gif http://www.puregt.com/Forum/upload/images/smilies/asskiss.gif http://www.puregt.com/Forum/upload/images/smilies/asskiss.gif http://www.puregt.com/Forum/upload/images/smilies/asskiss.gif http://www.puregt.com/Forum/upload/images/smilies/asskiss.gif


far left bird hmmm ... caption competition..

Hmmm funny colour wheels on that CSL that has just pulled up outside :hahaha:

[glendog74]

far left of the top pic ... caption competition..


"Loving the red wheels though; they match my red light in here! Plus the driver's a damn good looking bas**rd - i'd let him smash my back doors in for free!" :smokin:

[DazBlackCSL]

"Loving the red wheels though; they match my red light in here! Plus the driver's a damn good looking bas**rd - i'd let him smash my back doors in for free!" :smokin:


http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/adult/quicky.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net/free-unhappy-smileys.php) :hahaha:

[AlexGTT]

"Loving the red wheels though; they match my red light in here! Plus the driver's obviously a :gayfight: bas**rd - he'd let me smash his back doors in for free with my massive strap-on!" :smokin:

;):hahaha:

[glendog74]

;):hahaha:

http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/fighting/fighting0056.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net/free-sad-smileys.php)