Anyone??
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 56
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From: santa ana california
Anyone??
today i was driving my car and when i came to a stop i got all malfunctions popped up and my headlights didnt turn on. turned it off and didnt turn on again. battery is new about 2months old, bought it from autozone and had my mechanic who works for bmw program it and register it. i jump started the car the correct way under the hood and it turned back on right away. drove it around town and everything feels fine but i know something is up
any ideas what it could be? bad battery? alternator?
Thanks
any ideas what it could be? bad battery? alternator?
Thanks
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Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Encino, CA
My Ride: 04 545i - Titanium Silver/Black, Sport pkg, Comfort Seats w/ Lumbar, Premium Sound, power rear sunshade, Adaptive Xenon Headlights, Steptronic, Park Distance Control, Fold down rear seats w/ski bag, Aux jack, 6-disk changer, puddle lamps...
Engine: Custom Remus cat-back exhaust w/chrome square tips, K&N Air Filter, Charcoal Filter Removed, Sprint Booster :-), 50/50 mix of 91+100 Octane, EuroRev ECU Remap (coming soon lol), Dinan High-Flow Throttle Body (coming soon...maybe lol)
Interior: Portable Sirius Stilletto 100 w/car kit, Garmin Nuvi 680 mounted below rear-view mirror, LCI-style I-drive knob, Dark Poplar Center Dashboard Trim.
Exterior: E60 forum clings, 5% rear tint, ACS roof spoiler (painted black for distinct look against limo tint), ACS trunk spoiler, ACS add-on front spoiler and rear apron (awaiting installation), "18 Black Staggered BeBeS Style OER (emergency replacement for cracked sport 124 rims), black kidney grill, white accessory lighting (including license and trunk lamps), Angel-eye upgrade, AIB xenon-matched fog lamps, AIB V3's on order, red rear reflectors
Alternator/Charging circuit problems can cause this. First would usually be flickering/flashing of the iDrive screen. Then comes the various warnings. Shortly after will come the shut down. If intermittent, allowing the car to"rest" for about 10 minutes may allow the battery to build up enough reserve charge to start the car. I was having this problem. I used a code scanner with PID maps to see the actual voltage. The car would drop in voltage. Below 10 volts the systems would shut down. Allowing the car to sit wouldreturn the volts up to upper 11's or very low 12's. I'd restart and the volts would go up to 13.5 and higher (charging). The regulator was iffy, but it could also be the IBS, charge control relay, or loose connections.
Thread Starter
Members
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 56
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From: santa ana california
thanks for the advice, checked batter cables took them off cleaned them and put them back on. unplugged the alternator cable and re connected it. so far its been working like normal. no issues, but im concerned about the alternator. i got the transmission malfunction message about 3 times in the past 6 months. i changed my battery and since it hasent happened. i think my alternator might not be doing its job.
what are symptons of a alternator going bad?
i also feel a light vibration on my steering wheel when i come to complete stop but after 2 secs its gone.
what are symptons of a alternator going bad?
i also feel a light vibration on my steering wheel when i come to complete stop but after 2 secs its gone.
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Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Dayton, OH
My Ride: 07 550i Sports Package
Model Year: 2007
Use a voltmeter and check your car before you turn it on, volt should be between high 11 and low 12. Start the car then measure you should be between 13-14. It does sound like your alternator. You could also get one of those things you plug into the cig lighter that way you can monitor the voltage as you drive. This way you will see any fluctuations, volt should be steady as you go, otherwise alternator is bad.