Battery light flickering and smoke

[Canadian-boy]

I was on highway 2 nights ago and battery light started to flicker at the same time I started smelling burning plastic/rubber. Pulled on side of highway and opened hood, everything looked and sounded fine except for the smoke pouring out lingering in the headlights? I jumped back in and drove as quickly as I could to get to nearest garage..( trying to avoid a towing charge)..when I pulled into a parking area I opened the hood again to get a better look, I sprayed DW40 on the pulleys and alternator while truck was running to see if all was turning properly as I couldn't tell originally as it looked motionless, but after spraying the liquid I was able to see all was turning and nothing was seized? No dripping fluid anywhere or loss of fluid.

It no longer was smoking at That point nor was battery light flickering? Even before I sprayed it? I had turned it off, and restarted it though a couple times .What could it be? I do have some kind of chirping noises I'm not fond of, possibly a squeaky pulley...could this be the culprit? Hasn't happened again but was thinking to bring it to the Stealer dealer for an over-all check before my Canadian winter kicks in over here in Montreal. Should i avoid stealer and change particular pulley of sorts ? Or advice on how to diagnose this problem when it no longer exists?? Any replies appreciated
Thanks!

[bcredliner]

Squeaking noise sounds like a pulley. You can remove the belts or loosen the tensioners so you can spin each pulley. Any bad pulley will spin freely and there will likely noise from the bearings.

When it was smoking was there a squealing noise at the same time?
Is there any coolant on the ground after it has been sitting all night?

[Canadian-boy]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

Squeaking noise sounds like a pulley. You can remove the belts or loosen the tensioners so you can spin each pulley. Any bad pulley will spin freely and there will likely noise from the bearings.

When it was smoking was there a squealing noise at the same time?
Is there any coolant on the ground after it has been sitting all night?

Hey thanks for the reply, no I wouldn't say there was squealing per say which woulda been a dead giveaway for a seized pulley or alternator, all sounded pretty normal, maybe a slight squeak which was a little different from when its cold to when the motor has warmed up. I did notice a higher pitch coming from somewhere when it was smoking. It chirps/ squeaks when 1st started in the mornings, then noise becomes less apparent when warmed up ( been doing that since I bought it) Nope no coolant or any drippings of any sort. Was just looking at it carefully and alternator looks full of grime, but it does sit under power steering unit that was changed last year because of leak, so grime is probably from past events.. As of now, no smoke, no troubles, no battery flicker, just the normal bird chirpy squeak I've always had since I bought it?

[bcredliner]

Can you record the sound and post it?

Difficult to have an idea what a higher pitch sound like to you but could also be clutch fan problem.

Still sounds like a pulley or tensioner but could also be a loose or failing belt or a pulley out of alignment. I would check the belts for pulley side cracks and fraying and if that looks good apply some spray belt dressing and see if the chirping bird goes away.

Slipping belt would smell much different that plastic burning. If you had to say one or the other which would you choose. If you choose plastic then I would be checking to see if I have any fuses blow or burnt wires in that area. It may have stopped and not happened again because there is nothing left to burn or the fuse blew.

[Canadian-boy]

There is no noticeable cracks on belt, she actually looks quite new as I can still see stamp on belt, I will go and record a snippet of sound for you of the chirping/squeaking, whether ill figure out how to upload it will be a different feat. If I had to choose in what the smell was I would say more towards burning rubber. Again, if there were fuses melted or wires that burnt, I'd assume there'd be an engine light indicating a problem?? I'm not a mechanic, but I'd assume the computer on x5 would alert to burning wires n fuses ? No?
Be back in 5 with that recording and thank you again for your reply's

[bcredliner]

There might be an engine light but could just as well not be one. Depends on what fuse blew if there would be a warning light. They many be no light or OBC message. There may be a fault code if you have a reader tool.

[Brandon002]

If there is a squeal on start up when cold you have a belt/pulley problem. As stated earlier, pull the belt and spin each pulley by hand. If it spins easily the pulley is bad, more than likely the idler pulley which drives nothing. Cheap fix if that's the problem.

[Canadian-boy]

Ok so I had my whole post deleted which I'm not happy about but ill try n re-do this short n sweet. I'm trying to attach vid of my engine running, now its not crazy squeaking or even very noticeable, but those of you that are knowledgeable and or are mechanics or long time x owners should pick up on it. I

For the record, I'm speechless at the utmost immediate help that you guys have offered, and given to me the 2 times when I've asked. I know that is the point of the forum, but it still blows my mind that it is just people helping people, rather than having a profit minded agenda like the rest of this world. So i thank you for any and all comments or related help and am very appreciative.

* twice I've added attachment and it doesn't work.... What am I doing wrong or how do I do this?

[bcredliner]

I think it is easiest to post it on youtube and post the link.

[Canadian-boy]

Ok so as they say there's always a first for everything, I just baptized myself and posted my 1st video to youtube. Not even sure how I did it or how to find it again but here's the link..I'm gonna try2 diff ways here to make sure it is avail.
2006 x5 engine noise - YouTube

Cross my fingers.