Strange events with new alternator - ideas?

[Skyline]

I have not owned a BMW for a long time until the current X5. But in the past, I owned many different ones. And I had nothing but bad experiences with rebuilt alternators. Especially from parts stores. I'm convinced that on many of these, the definition of rebuilding consists of a fresh coat of silver paint, and that's it.

Do not assume your freshly rebuilt alternator is good. Confirm its performance before looking for other problems. Perhaps a VOM with an amp probe could tell you how it's doing.

[aatos]

Originally Posted by Skyline

I have not owned a BMW for a long time until the current X5. But in the past, I owned many different ones. And I had nothing but bad experiences with rebuilt alternators. Especially from parts stores. I'm convinced that on many of these, the definition of rebuilding consists of a fresh coat of silver paint, and that's it.

Do not assume your freshly rebuilt alternator is good. Confirm its performance before looking for other problems. Perhaps a VOM with an amp probe could tell you how it's doing.

I'm not assuming anything at this point, just trying to find the problem. Somewhere I read that the computer will shut off the alternator if voltage gets too high, to protect itself. Anyone else heard of this? If the computer can shut off the alternator, is it possible that is what is happening? It still seems like a temperature issue to me, whether in the regulator or the computer (or a temperature probe?)