AbyssalCreation

Hey guys the shop I take my car to noticed that the connector going to the back of my alternator isn't oem. It doesn't seem to fit into both prongs and looks to be just one wire. What the hell is going on here? Could this cause any issues? Any way to replace and get on Oem style connector in there?

twh

Someone messed up the original connecter and put that on. I looked at the Bentley manual and that connector on the alternator only has one active connection. Please double check. Not sure which one of those two it is or maybe those two are shorted together inside (that's actually the voltage regulator you are looking at). I suspect the original plug has a water tight sealing ring to protect the connector male and female parts from corroding. You can probably do some digging and get the replacement connector and put it in. Or get one from a junk yard and solder it in. I suspect it isn't causing any issues, but over time it will corrode.

AbyssalCreation

Thank you for looking through the Bentley manual. This connector only seems to fit on the right side prong. I'm currently trying to find the right connector but have no idea what's it's called. I think it's giving me some kind of bsd error. Possible source of battery drain?

E60I

If you can't find the plug to replace it, see if one of these will seal it up: Gardner Bender 4 oz. Liquid Electrical Tape - White-LTW-400 at The Home Depot

Oops! Never mind with that idea. I see you need two prongs.

Good luck!

sanjsanj

There should be a part number stamped on the connector, I'll see what mine says tomorrow - although my alternator is slightly different: http://imgur.com/a/ch1Fz#0

AbyssalCreation

That would be awesome if you could let me know what the part number is. I highly doubt I could find an e60 at the junk yards in town.

txag_530i

If you go to penskeparts.com, enter in the last 7-digits of your VIN and then select Group 61 you will see a vast selection of connectors that may work for you.

twh

Last time I needed a specific connector for my daughter's car, I went to a local junk yard and found a car with the same transmission and clipped off about 2 feet of wire below the connector. Cost me $10. Soldered it into the existing wiring harness. Used dual-wall adhesive heat shrink tubing to cover the soldered joint.

AbyssalCreation

Did you ever get a chance to look at the connector? I know it's the same even though our alt's are different.

sanjsanj

Nah I forgot - give me a couple of hours