Alternator Replacement Proceedure

[325i_91_touring]

Hi

Have a 325i 1991 tourer the alternator is playing up and the RAC man advised i get a replacement one have been quoted £250 for a replacement reconditioned one incuding fitting how difficult is it to replace?

Any advise would be appreciated

[dobbie82]

first bit of advice would be not to accept that quote will watch this with interest as I need to do this on monday

[Steve-E30]

2 bolts to change , Id get a 2nd hand one off someone on the zone , No doubt someone will offer you one soon
Where are you located as well

[Brianmoooore]

have been quoted £250 for a replacement reconditioned one incuding fitting

Last alternator I bought at that price came complete with a whole touring still attached to it!!
Probably only needs a brush pack, anyway.
Unscrew the two small screws on the back of the alternator and take off the brush pack. Are the brushes worn down so that they no longer reach the commutator?

[325i_91_touring]

Wow first time I ever used this site and I am very impressed with the support
thank you to all who replied I live in Southampton and the advice is very comforting indeed

[325i_91_touring]

The Rac man hit the alternator with a socket handle and the meter instantly went up to 13.5
and suggested the brushes were worn so I will try to dig them out today and report back with my findings

[Brianmoooore]

If you just take the pack out and gently pull the brushes, you'll get a thousand or so more miles out of them.

[pete27577]

just got my bush kit on ebay £10 POSTED

alternator as good as new now

heres the link

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0089382090
just look in his shop

[325i_91_touring]

As a complete novice I can see at the back of the alternator a small nut in each corner and a black plastic cover with a wire do I take out the 4 bolts from each corner to get to the pack or is it the small black plastic cover
so awkward to get at it

[325i_91_touring]

Great help Pete just seen the link on ebay now i know what i am looking for

[pete27577]

if i can any one can

[325i_91_touring]

I am unable to find the unit as shown in the ebay link at the back of the alternator is that unit under the grill housing i wouldnt have a clue how to remove that back cover as i simply cannot get to the small bolts at the bottom.. let alone put it back again i guess i am at the mercy of having it done by a garage that will sting me for the pleasure...

[pete27577]

ilke this one


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/bmw-e30-325i-alte ... dZViewItem

[Brianmoooore]

If you have the usual Bosch alternator, then it should be obvious on the back of the alternator. It's on the segment of the rear face nearest to the engine.

[325i_91_touring]

Yes Pete that one in the link you provided is exactly the same.... thanks Brian from this image in ebay it may be obvious but i still do not know how to take the brushes out? there is so little room to manouvere i am afraid to take the whole alternator out for fear of never being able to replace it it would seem i am indeed at the mercy of the garage services despite all the members help maybe it is so simple i cannot see it staring me in the face!!

from the image in the ebay link above does it show the section where the brushes are i managed to take that one single bolt out only to have that small square cap attached to a wire not knowing what to do at this stage i managed to get that bolt back in with some difficulty Brian are you saying those two unregular bolts to the right hand side nearest the engine are the two that have to come out? in the image in the ebay link that Pete provided

Thanks guys for your patience in this matter!!

[Jon_Bmw]

Bring it to the meet on the 24th? of feb near ringwood. I bet some heros will get their hands dirty and swap it over for you in return for a beer.

[pete27577]

the one in the link is not the usual Bosch alternator

but some one will no wot it is and help you out matey

[325i_91_touring]

This is the link Pete provided which shows the exact same alternator as mine

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/bmw-e30-325i-alte ... dZViewItem

[325i_91_touring]

The ringwood meet sounds like a great idea what a great buch of guys you all are!!!!

where is this meet ?

[Jon_Bmw]

Have a look here fella:

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... ic&t=92809

[325i_91_touring]

Ok i found the meet here

Sunday 24th, meeting at the carpark at Burley Services on the A31 at mid day.

Is it really possible i get the alternator advertised on ebay in the above link turn up to the meet and some kind gent will help me fit it ??? it will certainly be worth more than a beer i have this Bmw for 14 years where have have i been apart from up my own ass????

Cheers Jon

[Brianmoooore]

The normal E30 325 alternator does not look like the one in the link. They do not have any kind of cover on the back, and the regulator pack is like this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0089382090
Removed by unscrewing two cross head screws.
I'm not saying the alternator in the link won't fit an E30, but I've looked at a '88, a '90 and a '91 325 touring in my workshop at the moment, and they all have identical alternators with the regulator pack clearly on view.

[Chris-W]

Looks like a Beru unit to me.

[Gortour]

Have a look here fella:

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... ic&t=92809

Cheers for that Jon, only just found this thread.
Sure someone will help. Especially if you're female and pretty... I remember one past meet where Lisa had a problem and EVERYONE got their hands dirty. Iain, parked right beside her was saying he had gearbox problems, and didn't get anywhere near as much interest...


(Don't worry, we'll all bring tools and Jon will fix it for you... )

[Jon_Bmw]

Ziggy is your man, if he can fit a 3.5 litre engine in a cab, he can scrubb his hands to f**k fixing this. I've skinned mine on too much wrongness recently. On a more serious note, I reckon the 'zone' can do it, i'll hand gordon the tools

[munky30]

£250 for an alternator!

I've got a good one here you can have for 30 posted.

[Gortour]

Ziggy is your man, if he can fit a 3.5 litre engine in a cab, he can scrubb his hands to f**k fixing this. I've skinned mine on too much wrongness recently. On a more serious note, I reckon the 'zone' can do it, i'll hand gordon the tools

Mr sloping shoulders... Nice buck-pass pal.

[325i_91_touring]

I am a bit confused as what to do now Do i buy the whole alternator in this link

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/bmw-e30-325i-alte ... dZViewItem

or do i try and get a brush set for this particular alternator even though it is not the usual one i have no idea why it is not the ususal one it has been there since i bought the car in 94.... it would be so much easier if i came to the meet and someone could just replace the brushes assuming the zone can find the matching regulator pack i assume the brushes are within the regulator pack or is the regulator pack just for the usual alternator or just get the whole alternator if someone is willing to replace it for me for a nice wedge

[325i_91_touring]

P.S. This alternator is the exact same one as i have and would seem the right replacement??

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/bmw-e30-325i-alte ... dZViewItem

[325i_91_touring]

dear Munky30

Thank you for the kind offer however is the alternator you have the same as in the link discussed with good brushes if you can see or remove the brushe/brushes to see if they are worn otherwise i might end up replacing my existing faulty one with a similar faulty one if you know how to remove the brushes please let me know
it must be eactly the same as this one

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/bmw-e30-325i-alte ... dZViewItem

Kind Regards