'89 740T - Heard muffled click, now dash lights on

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Katrina - 18 Sep 2006 13:34 GMT

I (still) have that 740 Turbo GLE, automatic trans. 160,000 miles.
Yesterday coming home from the grocery store I heard a loud muffled
click in front of me and to the left, and right then most of my dash
lights came on: ABS, Service Engine, Battery, Brake, Parking Brake,
Bulb out, Wiper fluid low.
The car still runs, it's just alarming to look down and see all those
lights blaring back at me.
So, what's the scoop?

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Mike F - 18 Sep 2006 14:00 GMT

> I (still) have that 740 Turbo GLE, automatic trans. 160,000 miles.
> Yesterday coming home from the grocery store I heard a loud muffled
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> lights blaring back at me.
> So, what's the scoop?

Your alternator has failed. All the warning lights come on when the
alternator is not working as a bulb check, as when you turn the ignition
on before you start the car. First check the belt, otherwise a rebuilt
alternator is in order.

Signature

Mike F.
Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont.

Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
(But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)

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James Sweet - 18 Sep 2006 18:44 GMT

>>I (still) have that 740 Turbo GLE, automatic trans. 160,000 miles.
>>Yesterday coming home from the grocery store I heard a loud muffled
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> on before you start the car. First check the belt, otherwise a rebuilt
> alternator is in order.

Whoa, before dropping a few hundred on a rebuilt alternator it's worth
checking the regulator/brush pack. That's the only part of a Bosch
alternator I've ever had fail and they're under 50 bucks.

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Katrina - 20 Sep 2006 18:55 GMT

The belt doesn't squeal, so it probably is a bad alternator and not the
belt. I've ordered a new belt just in case and I have found a rebuilt
alternator for $100. Are they pretty easy to install? Are there some
instructions on swedishbricks website?

> Your alternator has failed. All the warning lights come on when the
> alternator is not working as a bulb check, as when you turn the ignition
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
> (But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)

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zencraps@comcast.net - 20 Sep 2006 20:37 GMT

> Are they pretty easy to install? Are there some
> instructions on swedishbricks website?

http://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/ElectricalStarting.htm#AlternatorMountingB
ushings

The link will tell you what you need to know, just ignore the part
about replacing the bushings.

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