alternator problems 740i 2001

[jecampnelln500]

I have a 2001 740i that has a battery light on. I've checked the volts and they are 14.2 , after I shut it off the batt is at 12.6. I took it in to the shop for some small leaks and they told me on the test dire the batt lite just came on??????? I have been driving it over 150 miles a day for the past two week and it is still putting 14.2 and I have had no problems starting it. Is there any thing else that will make this light come on.

Thanks Jeff

[marti5]

Is it on all the time right from start or just under load?

[jecampnelln500]

yes

[jecampnelln500]

sorry it is on all the time

[marti5]

The thing is you do have a regulator which is built in to the alternator, unlike the old days when it was external, so it maybe this, also how is the belt and tensioners.

[jecampnelln500]

thanks , some one told me the only thing that make that battery light come on is if the alt. is putting out less than 13.8 volts . my car reads 14.2 at the alt. and the batt when its running I even put my volt meter in the cig out let and got 14.2 ? what am I missing could a bad ground cause this



thanks for the help Jeff