If you’re not familiar with car maintenance and repair, it’s usual to blame the engine or battery when something goes wrong with your BMW.
While it’s true that engine or battery problems can affect your car, a faulty alternator can be to blame if you’re having electrical problems as well. Here’s what we found out about bad alternator symptoms!
BMW Bad Alternator Symptoms
A malfunctioning AC system and failing electrical components could be symptoms of a malfunctioning alternator on your BMW. Also, your BMW’s alternator may be failing if there are loud noises, unpleasant smells, or even dim headlights. A damaged alternator can make it difficult for your BMW to start or cause it to stall while you’re driving.
Keep reading if you’re interested in learning more about how a faulty alternator can affect your BMW!
1. Failing AC System
If you’ve noticed that your BMW’s AC isn’t working, it may be due to a bad alternator.
Generally, the alternator charges your car’s battery by converting your engine’s mechanical energy into electrical energy.
As such, when your alternator is working, your battery will be charged enough to power all your vehicle’s electrical components.
However, if the alternator is not working, your car’s electronics may fail or work below optimal capacity, including your air conditioner.
Therefore, if your air conditioning won’t turn on, the alternator might be to blame.
2. Electronic Components Not Working
Your alternator is the most common source of electrical problems, and you might not even be aware that your BMW is using less power until you put additional stress on the system.
For instance, BMW cars come equipped with parking sensors and backup cameras; if you find that yours aren’t operating, the alternator may be to blame.
On the other hand, the same may be stated for your BMW’s other electrical components, such as the interior cabin lights.
Therefore, these problems can help you identify the alternator.
3. Unusual Noises From The Engine Bay
Occasionally, you will hear growling or whining sounds before the alternator breaks down.
With that, to power the engine’s accessories, the alternator pulley spins the alternator using the alternator belt.
However, if the pulley is out of alignment with the belt, is canted on the shaft, or the bearings and bushings are worn out, a growling or whining sound will notify you of a problem.
As a result, if you’re hearing these noises coming from your BMW, a malfunctioning alternator is probably to blame.
4. Burning Smell Coming From The Alternator
Aside from the loud noises, another important clue might be an unpleasant burning smell coming from the alternator.
For instance, the alternator may have overheated, or the wiring on the alternator may have caught fire if the foul smell is similar to burned wires.
On the other hand, if it smells like burnt rubber, the alternator belt may have broken due to the heat from the alternator.
5. Broken Alternator Belt
Damage to the alternator belt might also indicate issues with your car’s alternator.
When you complain about the typical alternator issues, the mechanic will check the car and find the belt is missing, hanging off the engine, or so loose it’s flapping around the engine.
In this instance, the alternator may overheat to the point that the alternator belt was harmed, which might significantly impact many other components of the BMW.
6. Engine Stalling Or Not Turning Over
Aside from my point above, your alternator may malfunction if your BMW frequently stalls or won’t start.
In this situation, the battery might be able to generate enough power to start the ignition but not enough to turn the engine over, causing it to fail to start the car.
Additionally, the engine may stall because the alternator isn’t supplying the spark plugs with enough power to keep the engine running.
As a result, your BMW’s alternator may be malfunctioning and causing these problems.
7. Dead Battery
One of the more serious indications of an alternator that needs repair is a dead battery.
Generally, the battery rapidly loses power without the alternator recharging it while you’re driving since the battery in this scenario takes over if the alternator malfunctions.
However, this could result in the battery running out of power because automobile batteries aren’t made to power the car for long periods.
Simply put, even if the battery wasn’t the issue initially, a bad alternator could cause your car’s battery to die.
8. Dim Or Flickering External Lights
Dim or flickering lights are one of the most prevalent signs of an alternator failure in a BMW.
Typically, your car’s alternator supplies the electricity required to run the headlights and taillights.
But, the alternator may be having problems supplying the lights with the energy they require if the headlights or taillights are dull or flickering, though this is not always the case.
As a result, when your BMW starts to use up the stored voltage in the battery, the lights will begin to fade or blink.
9. Warning Light On Dashboard
The battery charge warning light on your BMW car is one of the easier-to-spot symptoms of an alternator failure.
Generally, your dashboard’s warning lights can let you know if your BMW is having any problems.
As a result, the alternator is unable to supply enough power to charge the battery, which is why the battery charge warning sign is illuminated. As a result, this is a sign of a damaged alternator.
To know more, you can also read our posts on bad wheel-bearing symptoms, car AC compressor symptoms, and bad water pump symptoms.
Conclusion
When you suspect the alternator in your BMW is failing, there are a few warning indicators to watch out for, including a dashboard warning light and odd sounds or odors.
Also, a defective alternator may cause serious harm to your car’s engine and ignition system.
That said, to remedy any difficulties, it is crucial to get the alternator inspected at a reliable BMW service center.