HELP!! Bad Voltage Regulator?

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Greetings,

I am new here and wonder if any experts know what a continuity test on regulator reads. I have 03 X5 4.4 with the monster water cooled alternator, and before I purchase regulator which I suspect is bad, had already put new battery in a couple months ago. Battery light came on after a 200 mile highway run at 80 mph as I like to blow out engine once in a while with a good highway run. Ran beautiful, until battery light popped up, barely made it back having to shut down all electric, pulled daylight headlight bulbs and tried not to use brakes as much as possible, and got back home. Nothing worse than getting stuck out of town.

So put alternator test on and no output, charged back up battery which did drain to point it wouldn't start, checked battery, it reads 100%, so looks like alternator. Not an easy job, changed one on my 545i a couple years ago, replaced with new, so as I had old one, I opened it up to see if I could repair it with regulator. My question is, anyone take continuity readings on the two terminal connector? I get reading one way, reverse leads on meter and no continuity and I can't remember, but recall I shouldn't see any continuity between terminals either way, so anyone remember or have experience on regulators? Hate to go out and buy a new alternator if it is only regulator. How long do these alternators last normally?

Thanks,