WTF is it now...
 

Been running/driving fine since replacing the O2 sensors last month until the battery light came on at startup today, but it started flickering then went out after a minute or so. Same thing happened later in the day, then after a few more stops, it came on and stayed on. Battery voltage initially was 11.7 then went to 13.3, but later in the day after the light stayed on, the voltage stayed around 11.5-11.7.

Then the AC stopped working, it was freakishly warm and humid af today. Got it home and noticed a weird smell from the dash vents, like burning candles/plastic. No SES lights. OBD Fusion showed these codes

P1350
P1348
P1344
P1620 (map thermostat, unrelated, had this one for awhile.

These are misfire codes.

I could not detect any misfires (no stumbling, rough idle, etc). Popped the hood with the motor off and did not see any smoke or odor from a cooked wire or anything to account fo the smell, which went away after I restarted the motor. No PS problems or overheating, so not a serpentine belt issue.

Guess I'll pull the engine cover and check coil wires... mañana.

This is why we have backup cars... my E46 is kinda rough and has its own set of problems (SAP warnings... probably the vintage plumbing) but it runs.

Can’t say it’s worth buying to check out, but might be worth the 10mins it takes to completely remove in order to examine it - the IVR…it seems that most everything electrical is at the mercy of this unit! I had starting issues, then battery and brake light together. I swapped my IVR with a new unit purchased 2yrs prior in case I ever needed. It fixed those issues AND my airbag light (occupancy sensor error) like a magic wand! Again - based on your specific symptoms, I would not replace with a new one for troubleshooting purposes, BUT it is easy to remove for visual inspection. GOOD LUCK!


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IVR = some kind of relay? I can't seem to find anything about it. It should be under the cowl or in the glovebox?

I lied…*IVM (Integrated Supply Module) or the Alternator Voltage Regulator


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This thing?

Is it on the alternator?

I'm pretty sure the IVM is only on the V8 cars, not the I6 (M54 or M57) versions.

Salty, your issue sounds like the alternator is on the way out - possibly just the rectifier/regulator module you linked to or maybe something deeper.

Can you monitor the VBAT (system voltage) on the board-monitor while driving? Test Menu No. 9 on the high cluster...

Nope…it’s this: 12 52 7 510 638 but wool is right v8’s only. Strange. Sorry about your trouble.


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Agree with this. This is what has happened to me every time an alternator has taken a dump on me. It throws a battery light, it goes off comes back on again then goes off. Then it comes on and stays on because the alternator has completely failed. How many miles on your alternator?

I have absolutely no idea; a replacement is not on the list of stuff the prior owner replaced. He got it with 166Kmi in 2019, it's now at 206,001 as of today.

Looks like a put it up in the air job... could be worse, could be a water-cooled one like on the V8s (and who thought THAT was a good idea?). Hope it'll make it to the DIY garage here... because I have no other way to get under it.

Thanks y'all! Electrical stuff is not my strong suit.

Is the alternator covered in power steering fluid, by any chance? If the PS reservoir or any PS hose leaks, it often takes a dump on the alternator, causing premature failure.

Although, over 200kmi isn't really "premature". :rolleyes: