Alternator replacement

MosH · #1 10-15-2009, 10:52 AM

So I have owned my X5 for a little over a month now. Its a '03 purchased from the orginal owner with 37K miles. Yesterday the battery light came on out of nowhere so I went home and did a voltage check. Low and behold I have 11.9V when running so no putput from alternator. I called around and found a reman for 145 locally and then decided to call the shop the previous owner used for any work in the past. The quoted me 325 total parts and labor to replace with a reman 120amp bosch unit. I took it there this morning, for 180 more then my cost I didnt feel like chopping up my large hands trying to wiggle it out. Does this price seem fair? I am reading about battery light issues people are seeing, I am thinking I should replace the battery right away when I get the car back today since its the original battery but apparently its still very strong since I drove for 45mins with battery light on running on just battery and no alternator. What is the best battery available out there? Interstate? Duralast?

I have to say I am a bit surprised the altnernator has gone bad at 37K miles, so is the mechanic, he will test what he can before replacing the unit today however I am not getting my hopes up. I hope this is not the start to electrical gremlins in this truck.

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MosH · #2 10-15-2009, 09:48 PM

Just got the truck back, they showed me the atlernator, it was original and the new one was new out of the bosch box, made in Germany rather then Mexico. I feel like I got a very good deal for 325 cash no tax. Hopefully this will be the first and last expense for a while since I have only owned the vehicle 4 weeks...

CharlieHustleX5 · #3 10-17-2009, 11:36 AM

Chances are since your car is 6 years old, very little mileage, it wasn't driven too often or for very long distances. Your battery was draining slowly and not receiving a full charge due to the alternator having such a short time to do its job. An alternator works harder to charge a battery that has less voltage present. You would think something that has been used for so little time would be less worn out, and still have a good amount of life left. Not in this case....

Make sure the mechanics give your battery a full charge before they install the alternator so that it wont be working double time to charge up your battery while powering the rest of the vehicle electrical system.

MosH · #4 10-17-2009, 11:41 AM

Yeah, I was going to replace the battery today since its original and now the check engine light came on when on my way to get gas this morning. I own this thing 5 weeks... Not good.... Any ideas?

HamannE53 · #5 11-10-2009, 02:33 AM

If you replace your battery I reccomend a DEKA AGM battery. Same stock replacement with more CC's and CS's. Best Bang for your buck, and still cheaper than the stealers price of $250+ (Depends on who they can "stick") I see your from Long Island, you can purchase the battery wholesale from Deka's Wholesale warehouse in Babylon. It will run you about $175.00 opposed to Interstates $150 non AGM which cant withstand the cold as well as the Deka AGM.

PMPNX5 · #6 11-13-2009, 06:34 PM

My light came on yesterday. I found a Bosch reman for 223, and I've been searching with no luck for a DIY on alt. replacement. Can anyone locate one for me please?

adnoid · #7 12-11-2009, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PMPNX5

My light came on yesterday. I found a Bosch reman for 223, and I've been searching with no luck for a DIY on alt. replacement. Can anyone locate one for me please?

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...-pictures.html

Me, too.

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