Alternator Charge Light (pre '86) -- HELP

echrisconnor · echrisconnor's Garage

My car isn't charging. Initial tests looked like it was the alternator. However, in reading the Bentley manual, it notes it on 86 and earlier cars, the alternator warning light bulb needs to be intact in order for the car to charge properly. My light appears to be burned out which is causing the whole damn car to be unable to charge. It looks like I have to pull apart the instrument cluster, pull the steering wheel, etc, in order to test/repalce the bulb.

Is there a workaround which will let me still charge the battery without digging into my dash? Help.

1986 BMW 325 ES

Dub-Dub · 09-15-2003, 07:03 AM

Pulling the dash is not that hard, under an hour easy. You don't need to pull the steering wheel either. Mine's out on my '86es now... and your email explains why my battery has been dying on me!

Could a battery dying also cause the car to studder and die? Even if the alternator is working okay? (in other words, did I have my car towed to the shop for no good reason?)

echrisconnor · echrisconnor's Garage

Thanks for the feedback on the dash. If the car died while you were driving, it was probably the alternator. In the past, I've had a crappy battery and the car ran fine on just the alternator. So long as the revs are up and you're not running the headlights, radio, etc.

Pulling the alternator is also a really easy job. I pulled mine out in 15 minutes flat. You can take the battery and alternator to have them tested at any shop NAPA, Autozone, etc. One or the the other will be your problem (or contacts, grounds, etc).

Good luck!

Jared at Pelican Parts · 09-15-2003, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by echrisconnor
Thanks for the feedback on the dash. If the car died while you were driving, it was probably the alternator. In the past, I've had a crappy battery and the car ran fine on just the alternator. So long as the revs are up and you're not running the headlights, radio, etc Good luck!

This can also fry the diodes in the alternator.

If the battery is bad, replace it. You can also pull the alternator out and take it to your local FLAPS for testing. most places will test it for free.