e12 dying :/

Danval · Post by **Danval** » Mon Jan 20, 2014 8:41 pm

Ok. Like every old car, this one started giving me problems lol. So, i tryed to start my car today and the battery was completely dead. I used my other car to jump start it and it did start. Took off the cables and after a minute approx, the car lower the rpm and just died. I tryed again and nothing. Jumpstarted again, started, took off cables and a few seconds and died again. Battery is "reconstructed" but is my alternator bad? Thanks again.

JodyStevens · Post by **JodyStevens** » Mon Jan 20, 2014 9:00 pm

Put a multimeter accross the battery and see what it's charging at after you jump it and remove the cables. I'd say the brushes are worn out in the alt.

Danval · Post by **Danval** » Mon Jan 20, 2014 10:36 pm

Sounds good. Ill give it a try. Thanks

KenB · Post by **KenB** » Mon Jan 20, 2014 10:57 pm

I like Jody's idea. If you're not getting at least 13.5V across battery terminals with the car running, the alternator (likely brushes) aren't working.

Good luck!

KenB

Mike W. · Post by **Mike W.** » Tue Jan 21, 2014 9:41 pm

The alternators themselves hardly ever die, but regulators and the brushes inside them do. Your description sounds like a no charge condition, but if the indicator light burns out the charging system doesn't work. So, does your idiot light work?

JodyStevens · Post by **JodyStevens** » Wed Jan 22, 2014 5:29 am

Before you drop a good chunk of change on a new/rebuilt alternator, pull your old brushes/vr and check them out. A new VR/brushes are A LOT cheaper then a rebuilt/new alt.

Danval · Post by **Danval** » Thu Jan 23, 2014 3:29 am

Thanks for the info guys. Ill do and let you know.

Danval · Post by **Danval** » Thu Jan 30, 2014 1:23 am

Ok guys. Took the alternator out (what a pain in the ass!!!) took it to the alt repair fuys and told them to check the whole thing. Specially the brushes. So got it back a coupke days ago. Went throught the painful process of installing. Jumped start the car and stays on for a good minute. Put it in drive and after about ten seconds died again and no start. Battery dead

. Is it a bad battery?. Thanks in advance

Danval · Post by **Danval** » Thu Jan 30, 2014 1:48 am

ok, quick question. On the left side of the little black box, behind the alternator. My ground wire is connected to that phillips screw holding the little box to the alternator. Is that correct?

KenB · Post by **KenB** » Thu Jan 30, 2014 2:49 am

So, what did the "alt repair guys" do to/say about your alternator?

T.Hanson · Post by **T.Hanson** » Thu Jan 30, 2014 12:25 pm

https://www.bmwtechinfo.com/repair/main/057en/index.htm

T.Hanson · Post by **T.Hanson** » Thu Jan 30, 2014 12:33 pm

Also check the alternator FAQ.

Danval · Post by **Danval** » Thu Jan 30, 2014 2:25 pm

The alternator guy said he freshened it up. He took care of my starter and its been working fine ever since. Ill take a look at what you guys are telling me. Thanks

Falkenberg · Post by **Falkenberg** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 5:01 am

Does the alternator light come on?

KenB · Post by **KenB** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 5:41 pm

Danval wrote:The alternator guy said he freshened it up. He took care of my starter and its been working fine ever since. Ill take a look at what you guys are telling me. Thanks

He gave it a shower and slapped on some aftershave lotion?

No wonder.