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Registered
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 1
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Alternator Problems
My wife drives a 2003 325CI and was rear ended several months ago. After 2 months in the shop and over $11K of repairs we got the car back. But now it seems to be suffering a multitude of problems. The door lock doesn't work, the windshield wiper sprayer doesn't function, the radio just died, the newly replaced battery had to be replaced again (bad cell). Now the dealership wants $920 to replace the alternator. Since the battery is in the trunk on the right hand side, could the crash (which destroyed the battery), have caused a surge in the electrical system that is causing all these issues? I am fighting with the insurance company to have these items repaired. Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.
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06-10-2008, 11:56 AM
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Surely its related. If you are just now getting the car back with these problems I would expect them to be repaired as part of the accident.
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HPDE Instructor (BMW / PCA / Apex) Here: 1997 M3/4 Byzanz/Magma ~ 2006 Yamaha R6 ~ 1997 R1100RT ~ 1991 Ford F-150 5.8l ~ 2015 Kia Optima Gone: 2001 330i Silver/Grey ~ 98 Camry V6 ~ 97 Camry I4 ~ 97 Mazda 626 I4 ~ 93 Sentra SE-R ~ 88 Toyota Truck I4 |
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06-10-2008, 02:55 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Sacramento CA
Posts: 1,147
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This will be a headache because the body shop has already been pad the amount they estimated for the repair, so no one will want to pony up for any more repairs. The other problem is that electrical issues are generally beyond the reach of body shop staff.
If you could identify the problem yourself, it would be helpful in getting someone to take responsibility for the cost. When you say the door lock does not work - just one of the doors or none of them? If none of them work, try unplugging the trunk and gas cap actuators (you have to pull back lining to get to them) and see what happens. What is the symptom on the alternator? These alternators rarely fail unless you try to run your hair drier off an AC adapter. The brushes on the voltage regulator wear out, but that takes 150k miles. Has anyone double-checked the engine-to chassis ground and the battery-to-chassis ground? I think that this alternator grounds through its bracket, but if it has a ground strap, check it as well. Did the radio just go completely dead (all dark) or just lose sound or what? The windshield washer is the simplest thing to check. Do you have a test light or voltmeter to see if it is getting power when you hit the lever? If you start chasing these demons, the problem may narrow down to a single trouble spot. |
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06-11-2008, 08:44 PM
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1997 BMW M3 3.2L I6
