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      02-06-2018, 12:41 PM   #23
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Thanks for the tips guys, went with the new valeo alternator. Will be doing the labor myself, so do not want to be doing it again a year later. Hopefully will get it all installed this weekend, as long as the part is here by Friday. Fingers crossed.

I will update this after installation and probably a weeks worth of checking voltages. Hopefully good news to follow.
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      02-06-2018, 10:37 PM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JPacy View Post
Thanks for the tips guys, went with the new valeo alternator. Will be doing the labor myself, so do not want to be doing it again a year later. Hopefully will get it all installed this weekend, as long as the part is here by Friday. Fingers crossed.

I will update this after installation and probably a weeks worth of checking voltages. Hopefully good news to follow.
Good choice. I have replaced the alternators with cheaper versions and the BMW branded cars are so touchy the cheap alternators just don't cut it. I also out one in my MINI that was cheap and it didnt last 100 miles and it failed so I had to tear the front end off and start all over with a new one. Keep in mind, you can find parts to rebuild the internal circuitry and brushes in your OEM alternator for around $120 if it spins freely. It is a much better option than a cheap one. I think you will be OK with the Valeo, good choice on your part. Keep us posted
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      02-06-2018, 10:47 PM   #25
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      02-07-2018, 05:55 AM   #26
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Originally Posted by dkracing View Post
Wish it was as easy as just charging the battery haha. Alternator ordered. Having the same issue today on my way to work. Voltage at 11.8, but after the car warms up, about 15 mins down the road, turn off and turn back on and boom alternator kicks in voltage up at 14.5. Seems like my initial start every morning in this cold weather the alternator isn’t working, but once the engine heats it up it gets going. Hoping my battery lasts this torture for the next two days.
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      02-07-2018, 02:05 PM   #27
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There was no point in buying a brand new alternator.. Your voltage regulator is bad and i guarantee you its because of worn brushes.. Never put a reman alternator on a bmw, they dont last, always go oe or oe manuf..
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      02-07-2018, 05:33 PM   #28
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Originally Posted by 0_to_60 View Post
There was no point in buying a brand new alternator.. Your voltage regulator is bad and i guarantee you its because of worn brushes.. Never put a reman alternator on a bmw, they dont last, always go oe or oe manuf..
Will do! Ended up getting a new one today anyways. Figured it was just the voltage regulator, but didn't want the alternator going in a year so figured I'd just change it out awhile.

Side note took me 5 starts after work to get my alternator to start cranking. lol cant wait to change it out.
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      02-08-2018, 07:49 AM   #29
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 0_to_60 View Post
There was no point in buying a brand new alternator.. Your voltage regulator is bad and i guarantee you its because of worn brushes.. Never put a reman alternator on a bmw, they dont last, always go oe or oe manuf..
If the brushes are worn and causing the regulator to fail, why is there no point in buying a new alternator (with good brushes)?
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      02-08-2018, 05:56 PM   #30
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Originally Posted by ec_E92 View Post
If the brushes are worn and causing the regulator to fail, why is there no point in buying a new alternator (with good brushes)?
70 dollar oe valeo voltage regulator compared to 400 valeo or 600-800 bmw parts dealer alternator..
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      02-08-2018, 07:06 PM   #31
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Originally Posted by 0_to_60 View Post
70 dollar oe valeo voltage regulator compared to 400 valeo or 600-800 bmw parts dealer alternator..
Only spent $250 on a new Valeo alternator, so not bad at all. I was seeing prices for a voltage regulator around $140 for a new oem, so figured i'd just spend an extra $100 an replace it all.
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      02-10-2018, 01:28 AM   #32
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Originally Posted by JPacy View Post
Only spent $250 on a new Valeo alternator, so not bad at all. I was seeing prices for a voltage regulator around $140 for a new oem, so figured i'd just spend an extra $100 an replace it all.
$250 wow thats a great price, link?

here is the $70 one ebay
https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Valeo-O...BUhSg8&vxp=mtr
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      02-10-2018, 06:16 AM   #33
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 0_to_60 View Post
There was no point in buying a brand new alternator.. Your voltage regulator is bad and i guarantee you its because of worn brushes.. Never put a reman alternator on a bmw, they dont last, always go oe or oe manuf..
If the voltage regulator is bad due to worn brushes, how does changing just the voltage regulator help? You would still have the worn brushes problem. Or are you saying buy a new alternator because that will fix both problems?
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      02-10-2018, 04:18 PM   #34
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Originally Posted by pbonsalb View Post
If the voltage regulator is bad due to worn brushes, how does changing just the voltage regulator help? You would still have the worn brushes problem. Or are you saying buy a new alternator because that will fix both problems?
The brushes are attached to the voltage regulator, they are soldered on from the manufacturer. So, replacing the regulator replaces the brushes also.

You can actually replace just the brushes for $9 with oe valeo brushes and reuse your old voltage regulator. But it is a process, you need to heat/solder out the old brushes with new ones and than re-solder them. The problem is, the plastic on the regulator gets very brittle over time, so you can actually crack the areas where the brushes sit.
Heres a link to the oe valeo brushes
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Brushes-For...JYnfJ6&vxp=mtr

heres a link on how to perform the diy for the brushes on youtube
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      02-14-2018, 01:25 PM   #35
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JP, how did you make out with the alternator? I am having the same problem with my e93 '08. Having the alternator replaced tomorrow. Any updates would be helpful.
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      02-14-2018, 02:38 PM   #36
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Originally Posted by Brink231 View Post
JP, how did you make out with the alternator? I am having the same problem with my e93 '08. Having the alternator replaced tomorrow. Any updates would be helpful.
Replaced the alternator over the weekend. Have been monitoring my voltage and everything seems good, so one problem has been fixed! DIY for the alternator went smoothly, took a little over an hour.

Bad news is after the alternator was replaced I did end up getting limp mode the day after as well as some other errors. Replaced the alternator Saturday, got errors on Sunday. Possible the battery wasnt charged up yet, but not sure as of now. My guess is one of my throttle actuators are starting to go.

I have driven the car all week, and haven't gotten any errors since Sunday, so continuing trying to diagnose what may be causing the abundance of errors. But as for the battery and alternator they both seem to be running smoothly!
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      02-14-2018, 02:44 PM   #37
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 0_to_60 View Post
$250 wow thats a great price, link?

here is the $70 one ebay
https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Valeo-O...BUhSg8&vxp=mtr
Quote:
Originally Posted by abdul28 View Post
Where did you get it from? And get your refund back from autozone/advanced.
Sorry I didn't see these posts. I got the Valeo alternator from ECSTuning. Shipping was same day, very smooth process. It was actually $265, but regardless was much cheaper then the other options.
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      02-14-2018, 03:01 PM   #38
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Thanks for the update. I will let you know how I make out as well.
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      02-19-2018, 08:14 AM   #39
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Replaced alternator last Thursday. Ran her around all day Saturday (not my daily driver) no problems so far. Will keep my fingers crossed, hopefully this was the fix.
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      02-19-2018, 09:55 AM   #40
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Originally Posted by Brink231 View Post
Replaced alternator last Thursday. Ran her around all day Saturday (not my daily driver) no problems so far. Will keep my fingers crossed, hopefully this was the fix.
Good to hear, hopefully it works out.

Turns out my bank 2 throttle actuator is on its way out. Planning on replacing both of them over the weekend. Hopefully I will be problem free for a little while then.

This car has been a pain in the 2 months that I have owned it lol.

But doing all the labor myself has definitely saved me some cash. Will only be $1000 in after replacing the battery, alternator, and both throttle actuators. Where I've seen people get quoted over $2000 alone for just the throttle actuators.
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      02-19-2018, 10:38 AM   #41
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Yeah, I hear that! LOL. Mine's been in the shop longer than my garage.

Based on your situation, my situation and all the others I have heard of/read about on here, this has happened a lot. Not just isolated to our 2 M3's. I think BMW knows there is an issue, but doesn't want to advertise too loud. Where in Philly are you from? I am in the KofP area. Go Birds!!!!
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      02-19-2018, 12:32 PM   #42
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Originally Posted by Brink231 View Post
Yeah, I hear that! LOL. Mine's been in the shop longer than my garage.

Based on your situation, my situation and all the others I have heard of/read about on here, this has happened a lot. Not just isolated to our 2 M3's. I think BMW knows there is an issue, but doesn't want to advertise too loud. Where in Philly are you from? I am in the KofP area. Go Birds!!!!
Yeah, just the way it goes. But thats why this forum is nice, most of the information is already here, just have to dig a little. Plus i knew what I was getting into when I got the car so that eases the pain haha.

I'm about 20 mins from you right between Germantown an Manayunk. Im actually a Steelers fan, but had to root for the birds during the superbowl! I was in the city during the riot an the parade, so that was a good ass time haha.
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      02-20-2018, 12:12 PM   #43
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Yep, that was one hell of a ride! Finally a SB for the city. I don't mind Steeler fans, other than the fact you have 6 Lombardi Trophy's.

Anyway, good luck with your M and I will keep you posted on my progress. Let's keep in touch since we're close enough.
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      02-21-2018, 05:11 AM   #44
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Originally Posted by Brink231 View Post
Yep, that was one hell of a ride! Finally a SB for the city. I don't mind Steeler fans, other than the fact you have 6 Lombardi Trophy's.

Anyway, good luck with your M and I will keep you posted on my progress. Let's keep in touch since we're close enough.
Sounds good man, hope the alternator does the trick.
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