Fack my alternator is dying

"GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo" (jackolson)
09/09/2015 at 00:11 • Filed to: Warning Lights

Got the red battery light at anything over 3k rpm. On my way home it stayed on a good 2-3 minutes then went off at cruising speed. Also think its time for a new battery.

DISCUSSION (8)

BoulderZ > GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo
09/09/2015 at 00:24

Glad you caught the signs before it just completely failed on you. Good luck with the new alternator and battery (smart, if it’s a good number of years old) replacement. DIY, or DIFM? BTW: gorgeous photo. Frost, with some morning fog and light, before it’s late enough in the season to be black ice, is just a great time to drive.

BLCKSTRM > GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo
09/09/2015 at 00:33

That is a great photo - is that your car?

And don’t worry to much - an alternator isn’t too hard to replace, assuming it’s your M3.

GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo > BoulderZ
09/09/2015 at 00:39

Not sure who the photo is by (part of my wallpaper collection), but your right that’s the best time to take a drive. I poked my head in the battery compartment when I got home, my connections were tight and my battery was secure. I knew this was coming sooner than later, under some hard acceleration the past couple months the light has flicked on for a second or two, but this time was much longer.

BoulderZ > GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo
09/09/2015 at 01:07

I once got a week of dinner on my very good friend’s dime for replacing his alternator while on a spring break mountain biking and camping road trip. He was driving a Volvo 240 wagon. He knew his alternator was so bad that he was carrying a spare with him. I was in my Toyota pickup, with tools (bike trip, after all). When it finally failed, we were in an Arby’s parking lot. On the promise of free food for a week, I dove under his car and replaced the alternator. I was greasy, oily, and dirty from finger tip to shoulder, dressed in some mountain bike race t-shirt, shorts, and a USMC cover. We walked straight in to the Arby’s and I ordered a 5/5$ beef-n-cheddar, some obscene amount of fries, and a soda, and he paid. He’s still a good friend, 20 years later, 1500 miles apart, and one alternator replacement away from us all getting home with a good story. Oddly enough, he’s a big Volvo wagon enthusiast, and I think he still has that car.

M54B30 > GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo
09/09/2015 at 01:07

The alternator on my 530i went out while my wife was on a trip with a friend. First one failed, second one worked, a cool $800. I just replaced my battery a few months ago after 165,000 miles and 12 years. Still worked fine, was hoping a new battery would solve some electrical gremlins.

GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo > BLCKSTRM
09/09/2015 at 06:50

Not mine but I wish it was, I kinda regret getting a black car.

I'm just worried about the reliability of the rebuilt replacement. It's hit or miss if you get a good one.

finn's arm > GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo
09/09/2015 at 11:24

I’ve always had good luck through my local O’Reillys for alternators & starters on my germans

904 GTS > GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo
09/09/2015 at 23:01

The reason your alternator is dying is your bad battery.

For, if your battery is weak, the alternator (designed just to keep up with the car electrical needs while running and keeping the battery fully charged) is thus being overtaxed to keep up with your bad battery, going way beyond its intended function. Simple as that.