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Registered
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 7
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Alternator problem??
1991 325ix
I intermittently get what seems to be a voltage surge and my lights get very bright and blower speeds up. That's gone on for a while now, but very seldom. Last week it happened quite badly for an extended length of time and now my battery won't hold a charge. I'm thinking it's the voltage regulator so I access the alternator and find it's the valeo 80A alternator. To get at the regulator I had to take the alternator out. When I looked at the regulator, it looked pretty worn, but I'm not 100% sure. I'd say it had 1/3" left. It's more difficult to find the VR for the valeo and it's costs about $65 minimum (pelican is out of stock). Should I just buy a 90A bosch alternator and be done done with it? Should I be confident that the regulator is the problem? Thanks. |
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12-01-2008, 02:11 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Florida
Posts: 668
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Most auto parts stores have a alternator test bench and wil do a run test for free. You just have to remove it and take it in.
I have a Bosch on my 93, it stoped working and I took it to Advance Auto. They tested it and it showed low output under load. They gave me a price of around 300 bucks. Turns out the brushes were bad. The brushes are integral part of the voltage regulator. I found the assembly on line for around $30. It is still on the car working fine.
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74 911 targa blk on blk, Carrera fend., tires & whls. gone, missed 85 325e bought new, totaled after 20 years & 465K miles, trouble free service. 01 Ford Ranger 4dr stpsd 4wd. I drive,here 88 325i convert. only 98k miles,gone, sold 93 325i.here, 98 Z-3 roadster. gone, 08 128 cabro gone |
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12-03-2008, 07:57 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Florida
Posts: 668
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Try this link, they have one for $27.
http://www.***************/search/product.aspx?sid=teu2ot55p0nywompdp2irs45&makeid=800003@BMW&modelid=1011935@325IX&year=1991&cid=18@Electrical%20%26%20Vacuum&gid=4884@Voltage%20Regulator
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74 911 targa blk on blk, Carrera fend., tires & whls. gone, missed 85 325e bought new, totaled after 20 years & 465K miles, trouble free service. 01 Ford Ranger 4dr stpsd 4wd. I drive,here 88 325i convert. only 98k miles,gone, sold 93 325i.here, 98 Z-3 roadster. gone, 08 128 cabro gone |
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12-03-2008, 08:12 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 7
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thanks coolbear. The regulator you linked is the one for the bosch though. It doesn't fit the valeo. My main question is: new regulator for 80A valeo for $70 or new 90A bosch for ~$170.
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12-04-2008, 01:37 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Florida
Posts: 668
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I apologise, I did not notice that you mentioned the fact that you hadd a Valeo alternator. I don't know enough about your Valeo alternator to answer your question. My experience is limited to Bosch.
But I will say, $100 more for a new Bosch, with a warranty sounds good to me. They are easy to work on, and I have personally put alot of miles on them with no failures yet. Other than a $35 VR that can be changed in 30 min..
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74 911 targa blk on blk, Carrera fend., tires & whls. gone, missed 85 325e bought new, totaled after 20 years & 465K miles, trouble free service. 01 Ford Ranger 4dr stpsd 4wd. I drive,here 88 325i convert. only 98k miles,gone, sold 93 325i.here, 98 Z-3 roadster. gone, 08 128 cabro gone |
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12-05-2008, 07:39 PM
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