Car Died

[Ged 0]

Me again. I'm beginning to feel the car ( or me is jinxed)

Garage( BMW specialist who at this time will remain nameless) removed instrument display to send it off for cleaning & lube - sticky speedo needle. Didn't get done on the day so's I pick up car minus instrument display. Mechanics words " Don't worry...It just means you won't know your speed". The car will drive fine

10 minutes later I rear end somebody at a junction - small bump...But that's another story!

Drive home. . Everything fine apart from caved in grill...Drive into work next morning....Edge of CChurch..Rush hour and front speakers go off, then my JVC head unit says " SEE YOU " and switches off, then the car feels like it's accelerating through treacle..

Pull in..Switch off. Try ignition..Click..nothing...Wait 10 minutes and everything back to normal but the digital clock is now asking me to input the time...Start heading towards Garage and car once again feels like its pulling through treacle..Pull in and switch off. Car won't restart...

Get towed to said garage and 4 hours later they call me and tell me the car is ready. They have ' tested ' it and recharged the battery..

Garage owner says " The alternator appears not to be charging the battery with the instrument panel removed "..." It should be fine now"

Now I'm wondering...Is this bullshit or does removing the instrument cluster affect the charging circuit...Do alternators exhibit faliure signs then work fine again??

Any advice as usual greatfully received please :drunk:

Ged

[Gus 5]

going on e30 stuff...its true

the instrument cluster doesnt charge the batt if its not there..thats why you felt as though you "accelerating through treacle" as the batt died....ask dave..stuck on a golf course..

this is generally why BMW specialists are the best bet

and rear ending aint the best either

[bmwsparkle 3]

and rear ending aint the best either

say that again, esp when its you're own fault, can't get mad at someone else etc

[E30stz 0]

pay to just do a quick check on the extent of the damage. You may not think it but could have done some damage to radiator and without a temp gauge to check, your car could get some serious damage done to it.

Edited April 27, 2006 by E30stz

[Ged 0]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Regarding the ' damage to radiator and cooling system '...The damage to my car did appear cosmetic and stopped about 4 inches short of the fan / radiator but even after checking for leaks etc I was still convinced I had overheated the car and goobered the engine...I could see a large bill and my mechanical warranty being inserted up my backside.

It was a huge relief when he said it was the alternator not charging due to the instrument cluster being removed but then the doubts started about this being a cover up as they couldn't determine the fault.

Apparently they ARE a BMW specialist but upon speaking to this one mechanic I would argue the case. :banghead:

Cheers...No doubt something will fall off next week :beer:

[2002 1]

It seems reasonable that the alternator may not charge with the cluster removed, on many cars the alternator excitation voltage is supplied via the charge light in the cluster. No cluster = magnetic field in the rotor.