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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 26
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1988 325i charging system please help!
The charging system for my 1988 BMW 325i is being disengaged somehow, the battery and alternator are both new the wires seem secure on the alternator and its putting out a charge, I was driving home and it just cut out I was able to get it home but when i stopped the car died and the battery was dead, the battery light in the instrument cluster didn't and wont come on, when i first turn the key all the other lights come on like normal but battery one stays off and its not the bulb I've switched it out and still no dice, could it be the instrument cluster that's messed up, would that cause the charging system to cut out, I've been fiddling with it for about a month and im out of ideas please help
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07-30-2011, 02:51 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
Posts: 14,292
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How many volts is the alternator putting out?
Is the voltage regulator built into the alternator? If not, you might want to look into that. The other idea is to remove fuses until the voltage raises. Check that circuit. |
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07-31-2011, 08:36 AM
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In the shop at Pelican
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 10,459
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How's the battery? THis can happen with a shorted cell
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08-02-2011, 11:28 AM
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 26
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yes the voltage regulator is built into the alternator, i lost my voltmeter so i cant check what the alternator is putting out again but i think it was 13 something, the battery is fine but to be sure i tried another battery with the same results the only thing i havent tried yet is replacing the instrument cluster(hard to find one of those) to fix that battery light and the whole removing the fuses to check for a short but i need another voltmeter or test light for that one
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08-08-2011, 11:34 AM
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 180
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Its that battery charging light thats causing the issue! Its a stupid set up where that bulb goes and gives an open circuit on the 12v excitor wire to the alternator!
Either put another bulb in the line somewhere to simulate the load, change the cluster or run a switched 12v supply to the excitor line on the alternator (I think its blue and white but need to check)! |
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08-30-2011, 04:13 AM
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 180
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How did you get on with this?
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09-15-2011, 04:51 AM
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