Just keep throwing a wrench at it. Voltage and paint problem.

[TwinTurboGTR]

So yesterday was an exciting day... Was driving back to my shop from a meeting and I notice the radio cuts out... Then I see the Trifecta lights pop up, Self Level Sus Inact and then Trans Failsafe Prog. Now this happened once before but could not catch it in time. When I shut the X off and turned it back on, it wouldn't crank over. Once I got it to, the temp reading was showing -45*. Contacted Slick about it and said it was Temp Sensor. Unplugged it and cleaned it up and all was back to normal.

Now yesterday, something happened, but this time I had my multimeter in the car. Pulled over, opened the hood and hooked up the leads... X was running with AC on... 8.88 volts!!! So.. that means I have a generator problem...

Now some of you may know I posted about a problem beginning last year that is difficult to replicate on point, but occurs at the most inopportune times. Here's the scenario...

Will go to unlock the X, the rear pass doors will not unlock. Open, close, relock, unlock.. no mater what, the rear doors will not unlock. Real lower tailgate button is also inactive. When starting the X, steering wheel will be tight(As if no PS), Trifecta lights on, Self Level Susp Inact and PDC doesn't work. Shut the X down, open door, lock, unlock, restart... everything is normal.

So to add insult to injury, after shutting the hood and restarting her up, everything was back to normal. Start driving when I see a Tinton Falls RMP coming up behind me. I pull over and he flies past me. I get back on the road and I punch it just to hear my exhaust note... Yeah well, there was a plastic bag in the middle of the road.. The Police officer ran it over and all of a sudden a HUGE white cloud exploded behind him. I go through the plume of smoke (I felt like I was in Days of Thunder for a minute) I notice the windshield had the white dust on it... hit the wipers, no go. Hit the washers... no go. SO I hook a U turn and go back to the cloud... someone dropped a can of Rustoleum white paint on the road. The officer ran it over and the white cloud of dust was white spray paint!. So now the X is covered in a fine white dust of paint. When I got home I took out the clay bar and did a fender and it came off without a problem. I guess thank god this happened after I did a full detail on it and it still has the Aquartz Titanium Nano coating on it.

So, for my question... Does anyone know of the Part Number for the brushes on the Voltage regulator? It is a Valeo but looking online, there are a bunch of different brushes. Was wondering if anyone had a P/N I could use. I went on Valeo's website, but their catalogue is down. KO Performance sells the regulator for $50, but since I am cheap and wanna experiment... I want to replace the brushes. I've got 123K on her now, so it is due time.

[tmv]

What a story, TwinTurboGTR.
Sorry I can't help with the part number.

[racingbmwm3]

I think you may have to disassemble the alternator and then find some brushes that match. Haven't seen replaceable brushes on BMW's for a couple decades...

[Ricky Bobby]

TTGTR, look up Slick GT1's old thread from last year, he didn't just replace the brushes, but the ENTIRE VOLTAGE REGULATOR, about 100 bucks from the dealer. I think all you need to know is whether you have a Bosch or Valeo alternator.

He seemed to think it was easy, but you're right, either way you probably need alternator attention! How old is your battery?

[TwinTurboGTR]

Yeah, I was reading that post from slick earlier. I mean looking at it... it just seems like the voltage reg is just a brush holder... I didnt nee anything else that would indicate its a regulator. I mean like I said KO has the part for $50, but kinda curious to just change the brushes, lol. Just wish I had a PN on them.

[Ricky Bobby]

if you got 123k and its time, I mean I'm cheap too, but at least replace the regulator completely, like you said if its 50 bucks, or 100 from BMW.

Alternator runs the entire cars electronics, at least replace the entire regulator if you aren't replacing the whole alternator (can't we get reman'ed alts from BMW for under 200?)

[FITZUNI]

I had the same problem, I replaced the alternator and now it's perfect.

[FITZUNI]

And also check the battery.

[TerminatorX5]

so.. the paint... does the insurance cover such a mishap? or, it is not an insurable event?

[TwinTurboGTR]

Originally Posted by TerminatorX5

so.. the paint... does the insurance cover such a mishap? or, it is not an insurable event?

Yeah, I doubt its going to be covered by insurance. I've spent a couple of nights working on it and now it is all better. Clayed the car and all the spots are gone. Thank god for clay!

And it sounds like Alternator is going kaput, so time to put one on order.