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Thread: alternator again:)

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Boise, ID
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    1980 e21, 1985 323i

    alternator again:)

    I took the alternator apart cleaned everything and put it back on. I noticed the shaft is missing the key that keeps everything
    in position so I tightened the nut down real good. I did not notice anything moving out of place. Belt has 1/2 inch deflection.
    Now when I check the battery the charge is 11.87 and with the engine running it shows 13.87. The light is still on!!!
    I replaced the regulator, so maybe that is not the problem. We were thinking the charge running should be 14+, so maybe
    that would keep the light on?
    What do you guy/gals think; oh yes, everything is tight and clean, but the ground from the engine to the body down there
    looks a little beat up!
    thanks,
    jm

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Sacramento, California
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    4,704
    My Cars
    1980 BMW 320i E21 M10B18

    Cool

    Try a 68 ohm 2 Watt - resistor on the D+ line- 12V exciter line and see if that works, on mine it does.


    Randy
    Last edited by 320iAman; 09-24-2018 at 12:00 AM.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
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    Boise, ID
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    1980 e21, 1985 323i
    Thanks, will try that; any good place to find that resistor?
    thanks,
    jm

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    monterey, ca.
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    e21, e30 m3. e46 330ci
    is the light just barely glowing or is it full bright? also is it on with the key off?
    Tom D

    77 e21 - m42
    88 e30m3
    04 330 dinan3
    84 r1000rt
    02 r1150rs
    all of them gray
    14 f800gsa - red headed stepchild!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
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    1980 e21, 1985 323i
    Quote Originally Posted by Tom D View Post
    is the light just barely glowing or is it full bright? also is it on with the key off?
    It is not bright, but about 1/3 of what it would be if you just turned the key to the run position. It is only one with the key
    in the run/on position.
    jm

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Sacramento, California
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    My Cars
    1980 BMW 320i E21 M10B18

    Cool

    Quote Originally Posted by 2002jm View Post
    Thanks, will try that; any good place to find that resistor?
    thanks,
    jm
    e bay a couple of bucks
    DSCI0342.JPG

    There is one other item, get rid of the two piece pulley on the alternator and get a solid pulley with a slightly smaller diameter, this will kick up the voltage and amperage faster,, My two piece pulley broke and and I had a smaller solid pulley from a defective alternator I have kept around, same case size, I installed it and the light turns off instantly, before slightly slower--had to rev to shut it off -- no more on my 80 amp Alternator....

    Randy
    Last edited by 320iAman; 09-28-2018 at 12:04 AM.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Boise, ID
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    1980 e21, 1985 323i
    ok, will check out both ideas,
    thanks,
    jm

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