alternator removal DIY for 2001 BMW x5 4.4l with pictures.

[bosanci28]

Originally Posted by Ptjs

HOLY CRAP !!! What a pain that must be to replace! I pray mine doesnt go out on me! I knocked on wood as well.....actually on my skull....same as wood!

well you never know,just out of nowhere,i start here a small noise ,and i was thinking is the power steering,then all went away,the 2 days later,it happen,huge noise....took the belt down ,turned all ,water pomp,power steering and then alternator,and yes,alternator was bad,i barely turned the thing...
but is not really difficult to do it...
well pray and hope that is not going out...

[dreamteam1000000]

this was the most helpful thread thank you i saved 300 dollars in labor thanx

[bosanci28]

thanks to me for this guide that i made!
i had to change my alternator again after just 11 months!
because it die on me,and this guide come handy again.

regards,
bosanci28

[dreamteam1000000]

I had to change mine2 weeks after lol because I didn't change the belt and the belt snapped on me and the alternaator locked up and went bad again

[bosanci28]

i changed my belt too,in march 2011,when i changed the first alternator,
now i just left it alone,they suppose to go anywhere from 60-80.000 miles.

thanks,

[dreamteam1000000]

Do you know if having a system effects the alternator

[bosanci28]

you mean like a sound system?

[Drkenigma1]

I can pull mine out in twenty minutes with the short cuts, only because I had to pull mine out 5 times. I had it rebuilt several times but I think I know better. The hardest part is wiggling it out of the casing and it is kinda heavy so be sure to get a good grip on the unit. about 15 to 29 lbs.

[bosanci28]

well the second time i did it of course it was faster....when directly to the point what had to be done.
this will be sec rebuild one,but what can i do ,new one was i think about 500$ ,found it for 340$ at reibes auto parts,and i think they do have one for 310$.

and yes,little heavy,but is okay.

[dreamteam1000000]

I'm glad I'm not the only one taking it out several times I just put one in today and my battery light stood on and the lights all dimmed out the car was only good with jumper cables conected could it b my battery is dead it was unplugged for a month