Charging probs

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lentec
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Post Sat Aug 27, 2005 8:25 am

does anyone know how to test the alternator as i dont think its charging!
i have tryed changing the regulator on the back seems to have not made any differance :(
i have a volt meter in car it says 12v when not running and about 13.5 when running but as soon as i turn it off it wont start again tryed changing the alternator for one thats known good still the same!
so is there any way of testing the regulator or have i wired the charge wire wrong?
johnl320
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Post Sat Aug 27, 2005 9:18 am

If you are getting 13.5 volts when its running and the battery light is coming on with the ignition on before starting then sounds like the alternator is fine. But how do you get the car to start in the first place? jump start? If it was a problem car at work ,my first port of call would be the battery and if that checked out okay I would then check all earth connections, especially the engine to chassis connection which tends to give problems on older cars. i hope this helps
regards
john
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karlp
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Post Sat Aug 27, 2005 10:23 am

Another area to check is the positive junction point on the front bulkhead. I had similar problem with all volts showing ok and a real pain to find the problem.

Karl
Fushion_Julz
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Post Sat Aug 27, 2005 10:30 am

I go with John...Battery, fella...that's what you should be testing!
1987 Henna Rot M3 (was 195bhp CAT..now more and no cat)
2001 E46 330i SE Touring (manual)
lentec
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Post Sat Aug 27, 2005 10:49 am

Thanks guys im allready on my 4th battery cant all be bad can they?
Will check the earth before a test run later.