I think the alternator has just died

andye30m3 · 14-03-2011, 09:04 PM

Driving home from work and the battery light started to flicker, then came on.

managed to drive about 10miles to a friends workshop which is 1/2 way home, now the car won't restart,

Started on the jump pack, once disconnect the runs but if you turn the lights on it just dies, no fault codes some up and it appears to only be charging at 10-11volts.

I'm guessing that's a new a new alternator for me then!

any recommendations for an online shop that will do an exchange one?

or am I better off with a new BMW one? any idea what the cost of a new one is?

Just waiting for the RAC now.

**glendog74** · 14-03-2011, 09:07 PM

Deffo alternator - quite a common fault.

That will be around £500 through a BMW stealership...

magnust · 14-03-2011, 09:25 PM

My generator died too. Oddly enough it charged a little bit so I could drive quite far and the voltage would drop very very slowly and each time it ended with the dash board lights blinking like a pin ball game and the SMG locking up in gear and no way to get into neutral

A month later the generator in my friends M3 2005 also died. His died more like yours did, no charge whatsoever. Wonder why it's such a common fault?

Yanto · 14-03-2011, 09:36 PM

it eventually comes to us all matey.....

http://www.cslregister.com/forum/sho...ght=alternator

monkeycsl · 14-03-2011, 10:26 PM

Mine went about two years ago,prob does not help if car is used infrequently so alternator is always working hard.I now keep battery charged to hopefully keep alternator from packing up.

magnust · 14-03-2011, 10:34 PM

From the other thread:

Quote:

Originally Posted by glendog74

You're not a 'proper' CSL owner unless you experience a red battery light at some point!

azrael · 14-03-2011, 10:35 PM

Is covered under warranty if you have it

derin100 · 14-03-2011, 11:17 PM

Mine is doing it too! Pain in the ass! Simply adding to my list of things that need doing!

At least it seems we're not alone!

mattCSLnut · 14-03-2011, 11:34 PM

They do that unfortunately

My CSL is on its 3rd alternator now... all done under "good old" BMW Warranty

derin100 · 14-03-2011, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattCSLnut

They do that unfortunately

My CSL is on its 3rd alternator now... all done under "good old" BMW Warranty

I feel a trip down to Cambridgeshire to get everything done in a "one-er" might be in order for me?! Don't think I can be arsed with my local main-dealership. Judging by my local friend's experience who has had three CSLs the service manager is (to use his term) "a tosser"!

14-03-2011, 09:04 PM	#1
andye30m3 S2 - Picking it up Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: East Sussex Posts: 52 Casino cash: $3157	I think the alternator has just died Driving home from work and the battery light started to flicker, then came on. managed to drive about 10miles to a friends workshop which is 1/2 way home, now the car won't restart, Started on the jump pack, once disconnect the runs but if you turn the lights on it just dies, no fault codes some up and it appears to only be charging at 10-11volts. I'm guessing that's a new a new alternator for me then! any recommendations for an online shop that will do an exchange one? or am I better off with a new BMW one? any idea what the cost of a new one is? Just waiting for the RAC now.

14-03-2011, 09:07 PM	#2
glendog74 CSL Register Uber-poster! Tetris Champion! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cornwall Posts: 8,861 Casino cash: $32299	Deffo alternator - quite a common fault. That will be around £500 through a BMW stealership... __________________ Cha'mone Mother F**ker!

14-03-2011, 09:25 PM	#3
magnust S4 - Getting the hang of it Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 138 Casino cash: $1477	My generator died too. Oddly enough it charged a little bit so I could drive quite far and the voltage would drop very very slowly and each time it ended with the dash board lights blinking like a pin ball game and the SMG locking up in gear and no way to get into neutral A month later the generator in my friends M3 2005 also died. His died more like yours did, no charge whatsoever. Wonder why it's such a common fault? __________________ My Swedish track day / hobby racing site: www.rejsa.nu

14-03-2011, 10:35 PM	#7
azrael S5, Sport On, DSC M-track Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Portsmouth/Reading Posts: 1,292 Casino cash: $9290	Is covered under warranty if you have it __________________ Ashley Shaeffer BMW - Wooo

14-03-2011, 11:34 PM	#9
mattCSLnut CSL Register Uber-poster! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Cambridge Posts: 6,460 Casino cash: $27763	They do that unfortunately My CSL is on its 3rd alternator now... all done under "good old" BMW Warranty __________________ UK CSL No.020 ... after 7 years of ownership I've now SOLD it !!!

14-03-2011, 09:36 PM	#4
Yanto CSL Register Uber-poster! Moon Lander Champion! Ragdoll Master Champion! Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Docklands, London Posts: 5,931 Casino cash: $40036	it eventually comes to us all matey..... http://www.cslregister.com/forum/sho...ght=alternator

14-03-2011, 10:26 PM	#5
monkeycsl S5 - Full Throttle BMX Park Champion! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: essex Posts: 444 Casino cash: $18732	Mine went about two years ago,prob does not help if car is used infrequently so alternator is always working hard.I now keep battery charged to hopefully keep alternator from packing up.

14-03-2011, 11:17 PM	#8
derin100 S3 - On the open road Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 85 Casino cash: $1275	Mine is doing it too! Pain in the ass! Simply adding to my list of things that need doing! At least it seems we're not alone!