Alternator completely burned out - Experience required

My_King

My_King

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Asking the car fixers on this forum.

Is it normal for an alternator to burn out completely?

Like my Bantam, driven since 2006. Cheap audio cables, cheap Chinese double din car radio. Alternator still works.
Or the Nissan 4x4, Maybe 2004 model. Has another 12V battery at the back its alternator also charges. Alternator still works.

But BMW 2007, alternator shot.

Is this normal?
I ask as I just got another one for R3700. What stops it from burning out?

No cheap audio or any auxiliary kak. Only a USB 12V cellphone charger/MP3 player. Cigarette port turns off when car is turned off.

I do not see a short anywhere. Fully charged battery can handle a trip to and from work. With that I mean if there was a short then the battery would be fooked too.

Thoughts?
 
BMW, Bring my Wallet :ROFL:

what is the Mileage? things wear out, things need replacement, spinny metal and copper eventually wear out,

but it being a BMW as opposed to a Toyota or a Hyundai its probably a B1tch to get out, as its made of plastic fantastic
and designed by Klaus in Germany to last as long as buying another BMW.
 
Jet-Fighter7700 said:
BMW, Bring my Wallet :ROFL:

what is the Mileage? things wear out, things need replacement, spinny metal and copper eventually wear out,

but it being a BMW as opposed to a Toyota or a Hyundai its probably a B1tch to get out, as its made of plastic fantastic
and designed by Klaus in Germany to last as long as buying another BMW.
Click to expand...
With the right tools, 6/10 to get it out.

Might be 218 000KM on the clock.

One would think the Bantam pissing oil, its alternator would be close to go. Especially with the sound it had carried for 10 years.
 
My_King said:
With the right tools, 6/10 to get it out.

Might be 218 000KM on the clock.

One would think the Bantam pissing oil, its alternator would be close to go. Especially with the sound it had carried for 10 years.
Click to expand...
strangely enough the Bantam we had since new, its alternator Sheared off, literally the mounting to the engine block gave way and ripped off,

so on a BMW that is notoriously fragile, people need to set expectations that are realistic
 
My_King said:
Asking the car fixers on this forum.

Is it normal for an alternator to burn out completely?

Like my Bantam, driven since 2006. Cheap audio cables, cheap Chinese double din car radio. Alternator still works.
Or the Nissan 4x4, Maybe 2004 model. Has another 12V battery at the back its alternator also charges. Alternator still works.

But BMW 2007, alternator shot.

Is this normal?
I ask as I just got another one for R3700. What stops it from burning out?

No cheap audio or any auxiliary kak. Only a USB 12V cellphone charger/MP3 player. Cigarette port turns off when car is turned off.

I do not see a short anywhere. Fully charged battery can handle a trip to and from work. With that I mean if there was a short then the battery would be fooked too.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Next time, before you go and buy a new one, send this dude a message.

I got a direct fit HO small case alternator, my original unit put out 70 Amps when it was new.
When it died I decided to upgrade. Yeah it's expensive but he always has specials on Black Friday.
He also does repairs and ships internationally.

RD Alternators – Get Serious, Get Amperage

rdalternators.co.za rdalternators.co.za

My new one is rated to do 320A but actually did 389A continuously for a decent period of time.
He offers external regulation as well if you want to control it yourself.

Once I drop in a Orion XS dc to dc charger I'll switch mine to external regulation and dial it up to 15-16v then let the orion drop it to 14.9 which is where it's at now.
 
As for why it burnt out, there can be several reasons.
I've seen guys hook up a dead battery to alternators and kill them.
I've also need guys tax an alternator without increasing rpm and kill them.
I've had mine for about 2-3 years now and it's solid.
 
A4s alternator and starter went within short space of each other. At over 600000kms on the original. Bare in mind I had 3 leaking injectors which prolonged start times adding wear to the starter.
Replacement alternertor went after 3years ,replaced it few months back again. Stuff isn't made to last anymore
 
I'm on my second alternator in my Land Cruiser 80 but one muddy water crossing was the cause. Try and hit the alternator with a lot of WD40 with the engine running. In could bring it back to life and will not damage the unit.

Just a thought.
 
Soo from the comments above, not unexpected.
Thanks to all for your input.

I hope it was just moeg. Not something else that will **** up the new one:


1760359158192.jpeg
 
My_King said:
Soo from the comments above, not unexpected.
Thanks to all for your input.

I hope it was just moeg. Not something else that will **** up the new one:


View attachment 1855356
Click to expand...

You could always fuse it if you want.
Also check your fusebox, I've seen fuses that were meant to pop but didn't.
There should a voltage sense wire, the ECU detects the voltage being put out and will adjust dynamically.
Have your battery tested and or check voltage before starting, while cranking and once it starts up.
Crank the lights and accessories on, check for a battery light to ensure the alternator is actually handling the load.
 
Also check your cabling, corroded/damaged cables create resistance = heat.
 
Zurg said:
You could always fuse it if you want.
Also check your fusebox, I've seen fuses that were meant to pop but didn't.
There should a voltage sense wire, the ECU detects the voltage being put out and will adjust dynamically.
Have your battery tested and or check voltage before starting, while cranking and once it starts up.
Crank the lights and accessories on, check for a battery light to ensure the alternator is actually handling the load.
Click to expand...
Battery is brand new.

Was the first purchase in this whole scenario.

Once it had the new battery, I started testing voltages, only to see no current above 12.2V.

Next up, how warm should the alternator get?

Sped down the street while it was charging the battery 14.4V.

Can keep my finger on the alternator for 2 seconds and have to remove it.
 
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