Hello

I have a 2004 530i with 66700 miles on it. I saw a brief message "Electrical System Error" flash for a few seconds then it went off. With the car running, I heard a noise possible coming from the alternator. Is this an indication that the alternator may be going out? Will a scanner pickup any codes if this error code is not showing?

thx.

 

Very likely, yes, alternator is on it's way out. You can get a re-manufactured alternator for much less than a new one; or you can have yours rebuilt.

The bolts on the alternator aren't supposed to be re-used. So, buy a set of alternator bolts as well.

 

Check to make sure your battery cable is not loose. I had this at 75K miles and I'm at 120K miles after tighening the battery cable. No other issues.

 

If the message repeats, I'd get it checked out. It's not uncommon for the iDrive system to throw a sporadic code. In many cases it throws codes becuase of an old battery. Again, I wouldn't worry to much about it unless it's persistent.

 

Hi highly suggest you have the alternator checked out. You don't want the alternator to die on you at the wrong time when you are late for something or when you are on the highway. It's better to have it checked out while the car is drivable and you can take care of it when you have some time.

iDrive throws errors FOR A REASON. If you choose to ignore, you may pay the price later.

 

Thanks all. I will get my alternator checked out today.Have a great week!

 

very good tip!

 

Update. I check the battery and alternator with a multimeter. The battery was 12.9v and with the car running, it registered 13-14v. Is this just a hiccup?

thanks

 

I am having the same issue right now. Mine started with a dead battery. Shop replaced alternator, a burnt MPM, and the battery. The Electronic malfunction comes on every time I drive for 2 miles. I also have the Check engine light on all the time, but shop says he isn't pulling any codes.

 

Sounds to me that your shop is a "parts replacer" and isn't following diagnostic routines to isolate and fix what's really broken. Some shops simply don't have the equipment necessary to find problems and use hope as the technique ... hope that if they replace enough parts they'll actually replace the one that is causing the problem!