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In Reply to: '83 320i - elec. problem (long) posted by Tim on February 10, 2000 at 14:05:04:
A glowing alternator light is usually due to a poor ground on the alternator. Assuming the alternator and voltage regulator are both functioning correctly, check to see if a small wire exists that connects the alternator to the engine. There should be a wire or ground strap connected to the bottom of the alternator which runs to just above the oil pan. Remove that wire, inspect it, sand down sides for postive contact, and reinstall it if good, making sure that it is well contact to metal. Otherwise, reinstall with a new wire/strap.
THis strap, if it's corroded, or weak, or gets broken, will let the battery discharge.
To go even one step further, consider also putting a second ground strap - from the transmission to the chassis. Old hot rod trick I learned to get rid of erratic instruments.
: Just finished replacing the ignition switch and the hazard light switch, but still have a phantom problem. With the key off, the battery (charging) light is on. Once in a while it goes off when shutting the car down, only to pop back on sometime later. I have pulled all of the relays in the fuse box individually and together, but no change. I do suspect that the fog light relay is bad, as the low beams & fog lights act screwy sometimes, so that is pulled out. I disconnected both light switches and the battery light didn't change. With the car running, all systems work - lights, turn signals, horn, heater/fan, radio - but the charging light is on faintly as if there is a short somewhere (alternator and battery are new). What am I missing? Is there another relay somewhere - fuel pump, hazard, etc.? Any suggestions are appreciated!
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