Dash Lights Flickering - 325i

[zd3bx]

In the past few days, my e30 decided to punish me with a new weird problem...

Since I changed the brake pads last year and put new sensors, the brake pad warning light on dash didn't go away and I realized, it's the common issue with these clusters.

So anyway, I kept driving with the light on and recently the parking brake, brake fluid and battery lights started flickering, when driving normally...

This evening on the way home, they became kind of dimmed and also ABS light came on for some reason as well?

Another thing I noticed that the interior lightening was very dark, despite the brightness being on max, when adjusting it on the headlight switch.

To make things worse, the radio stopped working when the lights are on dipped beam. If I put on just the sidelights or switch the lights off completely, the radio works fine.

Initially, when just a few dash lights were flickering, I thought the cluster was the issue, but now I'm not so sure...

Would appreciate your help guys.

Thanks

[zd3bx]

What happens to the lights on the cluster when you rev the engine?

Haven't paid much attention to that, but will check it out.

What are you thinking?

[Brianmoooore]

Your problem is definitely alternator related. The dash lights come on in their test function when the voltage on the thin blue wire from the alternator drops below a certain level.
This can be caused by a regulator pack problem, giving a general low output from the alternator (take the air filter out of the way, remove the two small screws holding the regulator to the back of the alternator, pull it out and check the length of the brushes), or can be a blown diode or two in the alternator itself, giving an output which contains a large ripple voltage, which can be seen as a slight flicker in the lights at idle revs.

[Brianmoooore]

If the problem turns out to be a worn regulator brush (it will be short, and show signs of arcing on the working end), just pulling on it gently, to straighten out the copper braid holding it in place, then refitting it, will give you a few more months of life from the alternator, while you source a replacement pack.

[zd3bx]

Thanks for the help guys.

The alternator squeaks a bit and kind of sounds rough from cold starts - not sure if that's normal, so that could be the signs of it giving up?

[zd3bx]

Where in London are you?

Fulham

Anyway, since you guys mentioned an alternator, I've done some Google'ing and found out that VR pack is actually a common problem on e30s...

It's definitely worth checking/replacing this before going after a new alternator.

Will have a look today/tomorrow and let you know how it goes!

[Brianmoooore]

take the air filter out of the way, remove the two small screws holding the regulator to the back of the alternator, pull it out and check the length of the brushes

If the problem turns out to be a worn regulator brush (it will be short, and show signs of arcing on the working end), just pulling on it gently, to straighten out the copper braid holding it in place, then refitting it, will give you a few more months of life from the alternator, while you source a replacement pack.

[Speedtouch]

Thanks for the help guys.

The alternator squeaks a bit and kind of sounds rough from cold starts - not sure if that's normal, so that could be the signs of it giving up?

Sounds like the bearings are worn out too.

I'd be looking into getting a replacement if that's the case, and rebuild your one at your leisure.

[zd3bx]

diable, I'm not too handy with spanners to change/check the alternator myself, but thanks for the offer ;)

Speedtouch, yeah I wouldn't be surprised, if the alternator was knackered as well, but the replacement of the whole thing is a lot more hassle, than just changing the VR and know who knows, it might last a couple of more months with a new VR.

ECP got a Bosch alternator for £140, plus about £80 quid surcharge, so quite pricy in total, considering I changed the starter motor recently and don't really want to spend much cash now...One thing after another, eh?

By the way Brian, I had a look this afternoon and my alternator is the one with a plastic black cover at the back, so to get to the VR, you need to disconnect the 2 fat wires, couple of bolts for the cover, etc, etc.

I didn't have much time for that, so just left it for later. One thing I noticed is that one of the bolts for the so called "supressor" (no 11 on the diagram) was missing at the back. I doubt it's a major problem, but just didn't look right.

Here's a pic > http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do ... g=12&fg=22

Ordered a new BERU VR for 20 quid, so when it comes, will get to work

[Speedtouch]

You can pick up a used alternator on here, the scrappie or E-bay for around £20-30...

For instance, this one, though not sure if a 318i one is the same as a 325i's:

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... 26&start=0