jma545i

So after day 5 of owning this car, I know got my second warning message. The first Increased emmisions light went away for a couple of days on its own, but reappeared last night. Then out of no where a battery symbol showed up and read alternator fault on the i drive screen. It beeped and came back on every few minutes, then went away for almost ten, and came back again as I pulled in my driveway. What am I in for now? Should I even chance driving it to the dealership today? Very frustrating, although I do love how the car drives.

luigi524td

Provide information about year and miles on your car.

Presume you purchased the car with some warranty - at least 30 days ? ? Did you buy from a BMW dealer or used car lot? Before purchase did you obtain information about repair, service and warranty work previously performed?

I suspect these issues were present (maybe idrive warnings canceled without actual remedy of problem) before you actually purchased.

jma545i

Its a 2004 and just clicked 100k. No I work for an Acura store and it was traded in by a customer who bought a new car at our Porsche store. Bought as is due to miles. I had my techs look the car over very well before making the purchase, Ive worked there for almost 13 years and they know what a pain I can be when it comes to how finicky I am with my vehicles. Just had them drive it over to the local BMW store for their diagnosis. Im hoping the external voltage regulator since the battery has full charge and alternator is charging, showing 14.2 volts or so at full load. I dunno lets hope.

545iBMW

Be prepared.
My 2005 545i's battery got replaced and alternator at about 30K miles last year.
I would say its the alternator - that thing is very sensitive.

jma545i

I hope not at $650 plus install, and thats just for the alternator. Still now word from BMW, probably be sitting there all weekend. great place for my new car I've had all of 6 days now huh...