Battery light still on even after driving more than 5000 miles

[chorus]

My battery light remains on after changing my alternator and a brand new battery (OEM Bmw) x5 2001 4.4. I do not know what to do next to clear it out. Please I need help on this.

[bastereo]

Did you use a BMW battery and alternator? If so good.

Start by checking the voltage when the engine is running. Should be near 14 volts.
If not check the electrical connections at the alternator.

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[chorus]

yes Both are BMW OEM, but I am wondering if the car could drove over 5K without broken down. I am lost here

[jaima]

Does the battery drain if not in use? if so try pulling fuse #72 to #74 (one at time) and check for a voltage drop with inline multimeter on amps
MM Positive probe to battery post/pillar and MM negative probe to battery cable, pull fuse and check for a drop in the amps!
ps I used the positive post/pillar on the battery to find my drainage.

you could check other fuses this way if none of the above help as it does sound like a draining issue

[BrianX54.4is]

Originally Posted by jaima

...it does sound like a draining issue...

I don't think it's a draining issue!

Originally Posted by chorus

...but I am wondering if the car could drove over 5K without broken down...

You would not get 50 miles let alone 5K before breaking down if your battery was not charging!

It could be a fault in the instrument cluster keeping the light on in test mode! You may need to get the dealer to diagnose this.

[bastereo]

I would not try much droving, like Brian said. If the alternator is not charging you will not make it far, and probably shorten the life of the battery if there is a problem.

Time to start troubleshooting.
With the engine running what is the system voltage. A couple different methods.
I guess there is a way for the gauge cluster to show it on the mid. I haven't done it.
Or just grab a volt meter and check the voltage, somewhere like directly at the battery or at the jump start connections under the hood.
Also, the tech I work with routed the drive belt wrong. At a glance it looked correct, it spun the fan and everything. But wasn't tight enough to spin the alternator or was spinning it backwards or something. All I know is I put the belt on correctly for him and it worked great.

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[imi7]

Hi. This just happened to my car - upon starting it struggled and only started after the second time of turing the key. Then, for a split second, the dashoard warning lights flickered and the battery light remains on. It seems to drive fine - could this be a dying alternator? Thanks.

[Drkenigma1]

Don't chance it. You'll get miles from home and all of a sudden "bam!" shut down. Now you'll need a the least a charge, and a new alternator. Plus a tow