Charging System

[mkalinak]

I have an '03 X5 4.4i and the battery/charging warning light has been going on and off. Looks like I may need and alt. Any idea on how much this service should run me? Any recommended service centers/mech's in central nj?

[AlpineSixAndSeven]

How many miles? Is it the OEM Battery? They normally last like 5 years....
I'm in cali so i cant help you with the repair shop thing... just find a local Independent Shop!

[mkalinak]

I have 77k miles. A new battery was put in two weeks ago, after the system was tested and determined that the alt was pumping out the right voltage. When I took it in, the charging light was intermitent (seven days apart) quick on/off.

Yesterday, the light was blinking once every minute for 15 mins. I shut it down and towed it to my hometown BMW dealer. I believe the estimate will be around $1,400.

I don't understand since the alt costs ~$450 with shipping from Bavauto.com and should be under 3 hours in labor.

What do you think/recommend?

[darkhorse737]

labor to change alternator is 1.8 -2.0 hours accdg to ALLDATA and Mitchell standards... it should be even less if your X5 is still under warranty. you do the math ;-)

[pepsicola]

I don't know about US, but 03 X5 4.4 came in 2 different engine.
M62 or N62(later one). By just looking at it, the N62 engine has relatively newer engine cover with 2 lumps, one on each bank of the engine.
Later one is easier to change, it's just a ordinary alternater.
However, the older one, being a water cooled alternater, it's a bit harder. And require a coolant top up and bleeding of the coolant system.

But, seeing how cheap you got quoted for the alternater, I believe it's the later one you've got. Coz the the older one is like 2k part alone.