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Question 04 X5 battery light coming on and off
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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2004 X5 4.4i 202k on odometer |
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#2
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It's almost always the alternator. The slip rings and brushes specifically.
Monitor real time voltage as you coast to stop from 30 mph. If the voltage drops even 1/2 a volt the alternator is not doing its job. When it happened to me the voltage dropped enough that the abs trifecta kicked on. I replaced my brushes and slip rings on mine and did just the bushes and changed the polarity of the brushes so the other slip ring would take the abuse and add years to the lifespan.
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2011 E70 • N55 (me) 2012 E70 • N63 (wife) |
#3
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Lately cars been acting weird no tri errors but have had the 4x4 and abs kick on. I thought it might have been that known gear issue but now I’m leaning to electrical.
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2004 X5 4.4i 202k on odometer |
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More than likely low voltage causing those lights to come on.
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2003 bmw x5 3.0i ,219000km build date 2003-08-18 |
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Search in advanced for awr-fix in title and andrewwynn user.
I rebuilt just the slipring and brushes but have very detailed photos of the steps. I had valeo alternators and the kit to repair is about $20 on eBay. With the Bosch I've not seen the equivalent kit. That said most of the wear is just the brushes so If you remove the VR you can disassemble and find the brush size and find a replacement set. Look for my latest one where I swapped the brush polarity because if the slip rings are not terribly worn you dont even need to replace if you swap the polarity of the bushes it's not difficult just a couple inch long jumper wires.
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2011 E70 • N55 (me) 2012 E70 • N63 (wife) |
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Most auto parts stores should be able to test the battery for you. Don't rule out the battery unless you get a proper test done on it. |
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Johnny 5
The reasons why the light flickers is based on the charging system seeing voltage dropping below a predetermined threshold like 12Volts. Testing what is going on is the only way to determine if you have a Battery issue or a Charging issue. Listed below is the way to test a starting system (battery/starter/wiring) and a charging system (alternator, wiring, computer control systems) Starting & charging systems testing techniques Here are a few quick tests to determine a battery issue, a charging system issue, or a primary wiring issue. Skill Level: 2 + (read and follow instructions) Tools required: Digital Volt Meter (DVM), battery terminal cleaning tool, and 8mm, 10 mm sockets and ratchet with extensions. You need to read battery voltage before starting any test on an electrical system as it will influence the results of Starting, Charging, and electrical tests of any kind. (Note: battery must be fully charged, see chart below). Step one: Get out a digital volt meter, Read battery voltage (Key off). Read voltage (Key on) at the following points Battery, under hood jump point, and at the alternator. You only need to determine if you have 12 volts at the alternator with the key on (BIG FAT WIRE). A simple handheld digital wave form tester will get you in the ball park when it comes to batteries. (Further discussion on these testers is for another engineering forum). Step Two: You need to read the voltage at the BATTERY at idle, 1500, and 2500 RPM to determine voltage regulator function. Better still would be a Volt Amp tester (VAT-40 Image below) to induce a correct AMP load to read actual AMP/Volt output from the alternator and battery, as that is the only true testing method. Having a DVM that has min/max capability will make your testing easy. Step Three: Remove and clean each and every ground in the trunk, jump point, and at the frame rail for the block (bad grounds = lots of electrical issues). Clean the starter/alternator cable connection under the car, just under the dead pedal. Step Four: Failure to get correct output on running test means DEAD alternator (volt regulator, brushes, windings, etc.) Remove and bench test the unit or drag it to your local auto parts store for a second opinion (which will be worth exactly what you pay for it....) Base line numbers Battery Voltage should be 12.6+V (Key off) See chart below. Battery voltage should be 13.5v - 14.5v on running tests (note large fluctuations at running RPMs is a SURE sign that the Volt Regulator is not doing its job. Smack with rubber hammer and retest. Rebuilt units have large variance of quality control from good 85% of the time to approx 50/50%. NOTE: The exact charging voltage will vary according to the battery's state of charge, the load on the vehicle's electrical system, and temperature. The lower the temperature the higher the charging voltage, and the higher the temperature the lower the charging voltage. The "normal" charging voltage on a typical application might be 13.8 to 14.3 volts at 77 degrees F. But at 20 degrees F. below zero, the charging voltage might be 14.9 to 15.3 volts. On a hot engine on a hot day, the normal charging voltage might drop to 13.5 to 14.3 volts. Note 2: TIS specifies alternator voltage as 14.3 +/-0.1 V. But that is measured at the alternator output post. The values seen using the cluster will be 0.5 V or more below the alternator voltage output. Battery Surface Charge. What the heck is a surface charge? When testing wet cell auto batteries, some will show a 12.xx Volt result, but as soon as a 100-150 amp load is applied, they drop straight down to 9.8V or lower. Classic example of a collapsed cell wall (internal short). This is why too many DIY and techs get stumped when they pull out a meter and say "It shows 12.xxV so it must be good”. NOPE, batteries are tested for voltage holds and AMP draw capacity as well as the ability to recover and recharge over and over again. Batteries are nothing more than an energy storage device. The challenge is for the average DIY to approx. the load test with KEY OFF. Solution: Set a volt meter to DC volts 0-25 scale or auto ranging if so equipped. Read and record voltage Turn on everything in the car for 15 seconds: Headlamps to high beam Heater blower motor to high w/ A/C on Seat Heaters Rear Defroster (and rear seat blower if so equipped) Interior lights Radio Fog lamps Cigar lighter etc, etc, etc Read voltage after testing. You should see a drop off of .5-1.5Volts during the test and a slow rise back to 12.5V+ on a completely healthy and fully charged battery in 30sec to 1 min. A battery that is DEAD, will show 9.8V or less and never recover until charged. Battery Registration: There is NO battery registration required for proper operations in a E39 or E53 application. Alternator testing tips How to load the alternator at engine idle for alternator output tests if you do NOT own a VAT: Note: Alternator output should be tested with the engine idling under the following four loads after at least 15 seconds of idling (for the alternator to ramp up): Turn the high beams on And, turn the rear defroster on And, turn the fan on (full) And, turn the wipers on (to the regular setting, I guess) These loads should be left on while the alternator output tests are being performed. Once access to the alternator is gained (access for the I6 is vastly easier than the V8): • Check the voltage from the alternator #30 post and ground o It should be the same as the battery voltage • Now disconnect the harness connector to the alternator: • Check voltage from terminal 15 and ground (field voltage) o It should be the same as the battery voltage ANOTHER QUICK CHECK FOR BOSCH ALTERNATORS One way to check the integrity of the alternator and diodes on Bosch alternators is to check the voltage readings at the D+ (blue wire) terminal and B+ terminal. The voltage reading should be the same at both terminals. A difference of more than one volt would indicate faulty diodes and the need to replace the alternator. Tips link: https://www.diyauto.com/manufacturer...ion-by-bluebee Volt Drop Testing (Image below) will show you issues with grounds and wiring problems. Read the text and test a few spots to determine if your car has clean connections. https://www.engine-light-help.com/voltage-drop.html Are you having other electrical issues? Alternative issues: Ignition Key switch failure, wiring junction box rusted (see water leaks under passenger seat (E39), Water standing in trunk under the battery (E53) and the normal wiring broken connectors, grounds), etc.... Tip Sites for more info: https://www.aa1car.com/library/2002/cm10220.htm https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=510579 (Everything you wanted to know about BMW starting and charging systems for DIY) Need a Video? https://video.search.yahoo.com/searc...d&action=click Helpful?
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2005 X5 4.8IS The Blue ones are always FASTER.... Current Garage: 2005 X5 4.8is 2002 M5 TiSilver 2003 525iT 1998 528i Former Garage Stable Highlights 2004 325XiT Sport 1973 De Tomaso Pantera, L Model 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 4 sp Alpine White 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 4 sp GoManGo Green 1971 Dart Sport, “Dart Light” package 1969 Road Runner 383 1968 Ply Barracuda 340S FB Sea-foam Green Last edited by StephenVA; 11-23-2020 at 11:19 AM. |
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Today coming back home my air bag stabilizer light came on. Turned off the car and turned it back on and it went away. Quote:
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Yea Im probably going to get to it this weekend hopefully. Need to read up on andrewwynn post on how he rebuilt it and what he used. Im sure it would be better then just getting a generic auto parts store alternator
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2004 X5 4.4i 202k on odometer |
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2004 X5 4.4i 202k on odometer |
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