Alternator Replacement

Cn_flame · 01-07-2018, 10:49 PM

Good day everyone,

My 2013 F30's alternator decided to stop working, only getting 12.1 ish volts when car is both on and off.

How hard would it be to change the alternator? I've got the tools but the bolts are quite deep down and looks like I'll need to remove other components to reach them.

Anyone with Bentleys manual willing to share the relevant pages will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks heaps.

Billfitz · 01-08-2018, 07:18 AM

Are you getting 12.1 volts from the battery? That doesn't necessarily indicate a bad alternator. By all means get a Bentley manual and find out how to test the alternator. It could be bad, but it might be the voltage regulator, or it might be the battery.

Cn_flame · 01-08-2018, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Are you getting 12.1 volts from the battery? That doesn't necessarily indicate a bad alternator. By all means get a Bentley manual and find out how to test the alternator. It could be bad, but it might be the voltage regulator, or it might be the battery.

Yes was only getting 12 volts from the battery. Replaced the alternator tonight, took around 2 hours and everything is back to normal.

jgoens · 01-08-2018, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cn_flame

Yes was only getting 12 volts from the battery. Replaced the alternator tonight, took around 2 hours and everything is back to normal.

It wasn't too bad of a job?

Cn_flame · 01-08-2018, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgoens

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cn_flame

Yes was only getting 12 volts from the battery. Replaced the alternator tonight, took around 2 hours and everything is back to normal.

It wasn't too bad of a job?

It's definitely doable at home with 2 people with the right tools. Had to remove the intake box to reach the actual bolts, take belt off alternator then slowly wiggle it out before putting new one in.

Mechanic quoted $2,000 for a replacement. I bought the new alternator for $500 and tool kit for $70 and got it done in a couple of hours.

khafner · 01-11-2018, 09:37 PM

what special tools do you need for the alternator?

Cn_flame · 01-11-2018, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by khafner

what special tools do you need for the alternator?

Nothing special, just purchased this set:

http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/Pro...9-Piece/131690

Billfitz · 01-12-2018, 08:02 AM

There's no need to buy any Imperial tools to work on cars, including American cars, as they all went metric starting in the 1980s.

Cn_flame · 01-12-2018, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billfitz

There's no need to buy any Imperial tools to work on cars, including American cars, as they all went metric starting in the 1980s.

Good info, thanks

Greer07uga · 10-14-2023, 10:19 AM

I know this was posted years ago, but I am just making sure you didn’t have any issues with the “memory” of the car after changing this alternator. My mom was told my our local mechanic that he was afraid she’d have to have the BMW dealer do the alternator change due to the memory needed to be updated. I wasn’t sure of this and since she has the same vehicle you did at the time, I just wanted to ask. Thanks

Billfitz · 10-14-2023, 11:40 AM

A new battery must be registered. A new alternator doesn't need any coding.

01-07-2018, 10:49 PM	#1
Cn_flame New Member 5 Rep 25 Posts Drives: 2013 328i Join Date: May 2017 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0)	Alternator Replacement Good day everyone, My 2013 F30's alternator decided to stop working, only getting 12.1 ish volts when car is both on and off. How hard would it be to change the alternator? I've got the tools but the bolts are quite deep down and looks like I'll need to remove other components to reach them. Anyone with Bentleys manual willing to share the relevant pages will be greatly appreciated. Thanks heaps.
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01-08-2018, 07:18 AM	#2
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8245 Rep 16,088 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	Are you getting 12.1 volts from the battery? That doesn't necessarily indicate a bad alternator. By all means get a Bentley manual and find out how to test the alternator. It could be bad, but it might be the voltage regulator, or it might be the battery.
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01-11-2018, 09:37 PM	#6
khafner Private First Class 6 Rep 123 Posts Drives: e90 330i Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: fulton, ny iTrader: (0)	what special tools do you need for the alternator?
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01-12-2018, 08:02 AM	#8
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8245 Rep 16,088 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	There's no need to buy any Imperial tools to work on cars, including American cars, as they all went metric starting in the 1980s.
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10-14-2023, 10:19 AM	#10
Greer07uga Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 2013 335i Join Date: Oct 2023 Location: Georgia iTrader: (0)	Quick Question… I know this was posted years ago, but I am just making sure you didn’t have any issues with the “memory” of the car after changing this alternator. My mom was told my our local mechanic that he was afraid she’d have to have the BMW dealer do the alternator change due to the memory needed to be updated. I wasn’t sure of this and since she has the same vehicle you did at the time, I just wanted to ask. Thanks
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10-14-2023, 11:40 AM	#11
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8245 Rep 16,088 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	A new battery must be registered. A new alternator doesn't need any coding.
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