Author Topic: Aternator ground question (Read 2349 times)

Serge · « **on:** July 07, 2009, 01:58:42 AM »

Can somebody kindly tell me is the alternator grounded by a bolt on my 1993 318is? I have a bolt labelled alternator ground which I must of forgotten to ground... I turn the key and nothing happens, so I'm assuming that is where I went wrong.

JoeDellio · « **Reply #1 on:** July 07, 2009, 05:42:13 PM »

That would be a good start

I thought the alternator was just a plug, but then again Ive never taken mine off. Its nice that its labeled though.

I would think the car would still start without the alternator, and just run off the battery. Unless its a bimmer thing. Ive driven cars for weeks without an alternator under the hood back in the day by just charging the battery every night.

But, again its a BMW, and I dont know how smart the ECU is in them. That, and Ive only had mine for 6 months.

HATER-PROOF · « **Reply #2 on:** July 08, 2009, 03:46:23 AM »

Yes-it has to be grounded, but it shouldn't stop the engine from turning over.

Serge · « **Reply #3 on:** July 08, 2009, 04:26:32 AM »

thanks for your reply guys, any chance you could tell me which wire need to be grounded, I have the two wires going into alternator and the other end of wire straight into the starter. I guess I screwed up somewhere along that line as I have it all buttoned up but starter won't engage. If anyone could confirm that the battery wire goes to starter and then the alternator wire on top of the large post of the starter with battery wire. Also if the other 2 wires are on the wrong post will that prevent from engaging?

romeomike · « **Reply #4 on:** July 08, 2009, 10:41:35 AM »

http://www.wedophones.com/Manuals/BMW/1993%20BMW%20318i%20-%20318is%20-%20325i%20-%20325is%20%20Electrical%20Troubleshooting%20Manual.pdf

should help getting the wires sorted.