Failing alternator.?

[ekvals]

Hi.

I have a new sound im not sure what is. Hopefully someone can help me.

When i start the engine after its been off a while. Like a day, the battery indicator is lit a bit longer than earlier. It goes off after about 5 seonds usually, but this varies a little.

Anyways, after the light has switched off and i rev the engine a bit, i can hear a high pitched sound that did not use to be there before. Its not very loud, but i can easily say that it is a new sound.

After i drive a bit and things are getting heated up, the sound goes away..

I'm suspecting it might be the alternator making the sound. Is there something i can check to make sure..? If it is the alternator, is there any things that should be checked out first, our would i expect to replace the alternator.?



And also... The gasket on the bottom of the front doors, i have some clips damaged, so the gasket is starting to come loose. Anyone knows if the the clip comes with the gasket, or if i can by the clips on the side.?


Thanks for every answer..

[Brit6]

Sounds like an alternator problem, i just replaced mine, after a while the light will stay on solid. I would get it tested for charging output.

The clips you can buy them seperatley from the dealer

[Sudesh]

As brit6 sad, best to have the alternator tested first for charging output then go fro there! When the alternator failed on my cousins X5, the battery abviously didnt get charged correctly, you could see lights starting to flicker and then eventually it would start. Think he got the alternator re-conditioned and its going fine now!

[ekvals]

Thanks for the answer Brit6.. I think also it is the alternator. Today the light stays lit, and doesnt switch off even after driving. The sound wasnt there anymore, but i dont think that have anything to say.

Im gonna check the voltage today to make sure its not charging.

Checked with the shop, and they charge about 1000us for parts and work.
Its not cheap in Norway..

Ill check if they have the slips as well..

[ekvals]

Originally Posted by Sudesh

As brit6 sad, best to have the alternator tested first for charging output then go fro there! When the alternator failed on my cousins X5, the battery abviously didnt get charged correctly, you could see lights starting to flicker and then eventually it would start. Think he got the alternator re-conditioned and its going fine now!

Can i measure the voltage fromthe jump start plug to see if its charging.? First with engine off and then running.?

Re-condition costs a bit too, dont it.? Plus i guess i would have to send it somewhere.?

What will happen if its not charging.? Will the engine stall eventually.? I mean if i keep driving the battery will drain out and the engine will shut down.?

[CharlieHustleX5]

If the alternator fails, the battery will power the vehicle electronics until its drained out. Thats when the whole electrical system will shut off, along with the engine and car itself.

A red battery light comes on when the battery is not properly charging. More than likely your alternator is on its way out.

Measure voltage from the jump start posts at idle and one more time holding the RPMs at 2000. Your voltage at idle should be in the high 13's to low 14's. With load, you should have no problem hitting 14v if the charging system is in top condition.

[ekvals]

That all sounds correct yeah..

I was just rememberring that with an older e30 i had, i could remove the cables from the battery while running, and the enginge didnt stop. But then the alternator was working and would providie what the car needed to keep running..

Im going to check the voltage in a couple of hours when i get my hand on a voltmeter.

I think its gonna shoe that the alternator is not charging as it should.

Ill post later what i found out.

Thanks for all the good answers...

[ekvals]

BTW.

If i want to charge the battery making sure its full up when i bring the car to the shop, where would i connect the charging cables.?

Do i need to get the spare wheel out and hook it on to the battery, or can i just use the jump start plug.?

[ekvals]

Sure enough.. When measuring the voltage with the engine off it reads just below 12, about 11,9, and then when i start the engine it reads 11,45..

Then im pretty sure it is the alternator that has failed.. Will order the work in the shop tomorrow... 800 bucks see you later..

[CharlieHustleX5]

Wait a minute....You may not need the whole alternator rebuilt. How many miles are on your X5?

There have been many cases where the Voltage Regulator is going faulty and only needs replacement, as opposed to the whole alternator.