Drive time with bad alternator?? 2001 X5

[Clcintx1]

My alternator is bad, when car is running battery goes dead, windows won't roll up, car dies ... If I trickle charge the battery and turn off anything unnecessary how far can I drive it to get it to the mechanics?

[TiAgX5]

All depends on battery condition. Could be anywhere between 5 seconds and 5 minutes.

[motordavid]

If the batt is fairly new, and charged up as much as it will take, you might get a half hour...maybe more. A batt's life, (with no alt charging it), is measured in 'minutes', eg a '90' batt may last 90 mins, theoretically.

I don't disagree with TiAgX5, I am just being more optimistic,
But, I wouldn't bet it goes more than 5-10 miles at a decent speed; less at lower speed/distance covered.
GL, mD

[upallnight]

Depends if you are driving at night with the headlights on or during the day. Do you have DRL?

[TerminatorX5]

my alt died on me at night driving home, about 5 miles out... I barely made it home, about 10 minutes driving, battery dead...

happened in San Jose, Costa Rica... replacement alt - $1200 from local... well... THE only dealer in entire country... ordered from US, waited for a dip pouch delivery to avoid 100% taxes

[Clcintx1]

My battery had 6 months left on the warrantee and they covered it, so I just put a brand new $160 battery in it tonight ... The drive is nearly all highway at 60-70 mph ... Plan on driving it in the day when there is very little traffic ... And not sure what DRL is??

[TerminatorX5]

he is in TX and he has a 2001 E53, so the chances that the DRL are activated are slim...
Daytime
Running
Lights

these are those annoying highbeams that come on autoimatically at half of the intensity in the daytime when you start the engine...

[tmv]

It's gonna be tough to make your drive (~25 miles?) on battery with bad alternator.

[AquilaBMW]

That is a risky drive. If the battery dies while you are on the highway, you will loose everything associated with electrical power. Even your brake performance will deteriorate and will require uBer effort to stop the car. Also, there will be no hazard warning lights, etc. The car will literally become a very big and pricey paper weight on the freeway.

I would strongly suggest towing it or fixing the alternator at home. Depending on what model - they're not that bad to fix. If you have a 4.4L, the only tough thing is access and loosening the bolts for the pulleys, tensioners, etc.

If you have tools at home like 12 - 17mm sockets and can get some replacement coolant, you can do it at home.

Not sure on the process for a 3.0.

[Clcintx1]

It is a 4.4 and I'm not 100% sure it's the alternator ... Could be the voltage regulator too right? I just love my BMW mechanic in Austin, but may find someone local if I have to. And even though I have done things like replace the wiring harness on a 61 corvette, not sure I want to tackle the alternator??

Thanks for all your help!! ~ Cynthia