Alternator replacement question - 2003 X5 3.0

[LI_BIMMER]

Based on the great information from previous posts on X5WORLD, I did the following to see if my 7 month old Interstate MT91 battery was the culprit of no start ups.

1) Had my dead battery load tested and it came back with no dead cells and a "good status" that is holds a charge well.

2) Used my digital multimeter on the recharged battery installed with the engine off and it reported ~12.6 volts.

3) Used my digital multimeter on the recharged battery with engine on and all accessories off and it reported ~11.9 volts. With all accessories on and the engine revving @ 2K, it showed ~11.9 volts.

4) Tried above (#3) on my 3 series and it showed ~14.2 volts at idle or the same at 2K with all accessories on.

Based on previous alternator posts and the above steps, I determined that the alternator is not able to charge the battery fast enough therefore draining it. The X sat overnight in the cold (last night) with the charged battery and starts right up today (no hesitation) so I am sure a long drive would drain it (like my 80 mile trip on Saturday morning).

The remaufactured alternator that I am getting for $158 is a great price but I was asked if it was made by Bosch or another manufacture (Bremi?). Does anyone know if they came across another manufacture other than Bosch when replacing their alternator on 3.0 engine?

Also, is the replacement of the alternator done from the top of the engine bay or bottom? I will be doing the swap on Tuesday. Many thanks!

[EOD Guy]

I replaced mine recently, it's done from the top. Here is a tip..... the lower alt bolt has a sliding sleeve in the mounting boss. When you remove the lower bolt and try to remove the alt, you will find it's very hard to do and it seems like it's stuck on something..... it's stuck on that sliding sleeve. I found after about an hour of cussing that if you rock it fwd / rev by pulling on the pully it'll work the sleeve enough to remove the #@!!# thing. there is no need to unhook any of the hoses that seeem to be in the way, it will wiggle around all of them.

[LI_BIMMER]

Originally Posted by EOD Guy

I replaced mine recently, it's done from the top. Here is a tip..... the lower alt bolt has a sliding sleeve in the mounting boss. When you remove the lower bolt and try to remove the alt, you will find it's very hard to do and it seems like it's stuck on something..... it's stuck on that sliding sleeve. I found after about an hour of cussing that if you rock it fwd / rev by pulling on the pully it'll work the sleeve enough to remove the #@!!# thing. there is no need to unhook any of the hoses that seeem to be in the way, it will wiggle around all of them.

I appreciate the tip. Did you disconnect the battery before doing the replacement? Thanks.

[LI_BIMMER]

Completed my Bosch alternator replacement today and it went well for the most part. Multi-meter now shows between ~14.0 & ~14.5 volts at engine idle then with all accessories on.

The outside temp gauge showed -7F then eventually went up to the normal temp outside (after quite a bit of time). I was worried we left something disconnected or broke the sensor. It seems like the temp sensor needed time to reset itself. Seems okay now.

I also replaced my drivers side axle due to a torn boot. My father-inlaw (mechanic) said it was easier to change it then replacing the boot. The axle was very cheap ($240 - new) so I did it and saved on the cost of labor. I will have my original rebuilt as I was told the passenger side is the same part # but I need to confirm this. Just doing this so when the passenger side rips, we can do a swap out. I plan to keep my X for many more years to come.

I saw that my front brakes are low so a brake job is in order in the near future. I tried flushing my brake fluid today with Bavauto's brake bleeder and had a problem with fluid seeping out of the master cylinder from the brake bleeder cap. Bav said it was a bad cap and are sending me a new one so I will try again next weekend.

Thanks to X5World for a great reference and those that offered time saving tips.