I believe this is the part number I need: 12317541696

And they have it for $529.36 including shipping to Cyprus

 

So it was the alternator or are you just assuming at this point?

 

At this point I'm not assuming anything. Will get my car this afternoon. Drive it for a few days before I take it for a second opinion.

Just weighing up my options at the moment.

 

Double post

 

Sounds like a faulty alternator to me. Looking at the waveform of the voltage at the battery with the engine running will tell you if it's a coil in the alternator (whole alternator needs replacing) or just the regulator.

You can replace the regulator/brushes on these. Either buy just that part from BMW or get a secondhand alternator - they're pretty robust so 2nd hand should be a reasonable bet.

Apparently the regulator module can be changed without taking the alternator off the car making it a 30 min job.

If I was you I'd buy a 2nd hand alternator and swap over the regulator, if that doesn't fix it then swap the rest of the alternator.

Then get all the codes erased and see what codes come back.

 

I have the same problem... i explain how to solve it here: https://5series.net/forums/topic/915...harging-fault/

The regulator its a "normal" failure on the alternator.

 

I brought my car home yesterday.

My volt meter reading went from 14.2 when I got into may car, 45 minutes later when I got home it was 11.5

I think I will order a new alternator and have it fitted, it does seem to be a common problem and this seems to be the best solution.

 

My new alternator arrives today.

Hopefully will have it fitted in the next few days and solve these problems.

If it doesn't solve them I think I'm just gonna cry

 

Alternator was fitted this morning

I've driven it and the voltmeter did not drop below 14.1 at all

Hopefully that is all the electrical problems done

Now I just need to have a look at the gear box faults

 

Explain the gear box faults? May go away after your car clears itself of error memory...or you can do this yourself and see if problem is resolved...if not, then please explain so we can try to assist without "expert" opinions