Alternator Replacement

[BigEarl325is]

I believe I need to replace my alternator. Not positive but I think so. A while back I kept hearing the horrible noise of my belts slipping. So I bought a new belt, came back around 100 miles later, so I bought a new tensioner and a new belt. It came back 100 miles later. So now I'm thinking that my alternator is going bad. So have any of your replaced your alternator? and if so, which one did you buy, I see 4 here...


http://catalog.alloembmwparts.com/?year=1994&make=BM&search_button23.x=15&search_button23.y=19

 

[carcus]

I believe I need to replace my alternator. Not positive but I think so. A while back I kept hearing the horrible noise of my belts slipping. So I bought a new belt, came back around 100 miles later, so I bought a new tensioner and a new belt. It came back 100 miles later. So now I'm thinking that my alternator is going bad. So have any of your replaced your alternator? and if so, which one did you buy, I see 4 here...


http://catalog.alloembmwparts.com/?year=1994&make=BM&search_button23.x=15&search_button23.y=19

Do a charging system check before you spend the money on the alternator. Might save you a few bucks. Sure it is not belt whine? Try some belt dressing to quiet things down. Not a pro but a cheap thing to try.

 

[MVPBird33]

if you wanted to save yourself a little money and you do find out that you need to replace your Alternator, you might want to look into getting the Alternator rebuilt, it is a lot cheaper, i had mine rebuilt for about 100 bucks

 

[carcus]

Just a few links for ya if you are looking for a alternator....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33573&item=2441065743

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33573&item=2441072768

 

[BigEarl325is]

I have already used the belt dressing, a lot of it, and it comes back within a few hours. I've also checked the voltage that the alternator is putting out. It appears normal, about 14V at idle, but considering the belts keep making noise and the alternator has 146000 miles on it, I'm assuming that's the problem. Let's be reasonable here, alternators typically only last around 125 anyway. Thanks for the links by the way carcus. Also, I found a brand new alternator for 167 dollars, with free shipping, brand new alternator for only 70 bucks more than rebuilding. I think I'd rather do that. Thank you for the suggestion though, I'll keep it in mind. In case I did want it rebuilt, where would I take it, or could I do it myself?

Oh also, I forgot to mention. Every time I turn something on, my engine drops pathetically low and kicks back up, but still only around 500 RPMS. Another reason why I think it might be the alternator.