Subject: What an ordeal! So the bottom line is that the alternator would seize now and Author: hgjacobsen as IBHenry : member since May, 2007 : 5882 posts Posted on: 2007-09-12 22:39:08

then and when it really seized, it must have yanked so hard on the belt that it broke the power steering brackets. so it turned out to be the alternator. So the parts I replaced are:
Fan clutch $105
Power steering $400
Alternator $675.
Can some one say ouch? So here are some pics and contrary to the write up about removing the fan shroud, the alternator can be wiggled out pretty easily, although it is a heavy SOB. I learned a new trick, see below a few pics down.
After removing these pieces


You'll have access to the alternator

Remove these 6 bolts around the alternator with a 10mm


I was having trouble trying to pull the damn thing out so I got some help from my compressor. Word of advise, wear goggles and keep your mouth closed!!


when removing the alternator between the engine and shroud, unplug this sensor, remember to hold on the alternator as it will be slippery and very heavy

a look inside the case


New alternator set in place

Close up the bad unit out of the car

Everything back together, except for the coolant, waiting for a friend deliver, he works at Northside Imports on Convoy :)

Washed...

and dried


And yes everything is back to normal, (except my bank account and credit card)!

I've got my "ay, ba ba" back!

AND I hope noone has to go through the same ordeal!!!

"Where ever you go, there you are."
2001 BMW 740iL

Mods: New cluster from BMWNA!, Quad taillights, Cross drilled rotors and ceramic pads all the way around, new Traction struts & Control arms=No shimmy! Angel Eyes, done!

• Wasn't the waterpump! The powersteering pump brackets broke - IBHenry 2007-09-11 14:45:07 (112 views)
  • What an ordeal! So the bottom line is that the alternator would seize now and (pic) - IBHenry 2007-09-12 22:39:08 (300 views)
    • What a nightmare. How do you get the high beams and - henry 2007-09-12 22:57:30 (6 views)
      • I think those are his AE's making all that light :) (nt) - SDmike 2007-09-12 23:25:36 (4 views)
  • Here's what a $700 water-cooled alternator looks like (pic) - IBHenry 2007-09-12 18:46:34 (122 views)
    • Re: Here's what a $700 water-cooled alternator looks like - dewayne37 2007-09-12 22:34:37 (50 views)
      • I had no warning lights! charging fine, just vibration and noise - IBHenry 2007-09-12 22:44:32 (24 views)
    • Henry!!...take it back! Carquest had that for me a month ago for $550 - ......albo 2007-09-12 18:49:27 (23 views)
      • Albo, thanks for looking out for me! - IBHenry 2007-09-12 22:46:46 (9 views)
      • too late I'm fixing it now and it is already in. I need my car!!! - IBHenry 2007-09-12 20:00:31 (12 views)
  • Ok, took the belt off and spun the pulleys, it was the alt! - IBHenry 2007-09-12 16:18:43 (27 views)
    • Sorry to hear about the alt.-- At least now you know, better than internal issue (nt) - TxDarth 2007-09-12 16:53:33 (10 views)
      • yeah thank god its not internal! But stealer wants $735! - IBHenry 2007-09-12 17:04:55 (9 views)
    • $579 from oem bimmer parts!! - IBHenry 2007-09-12 16:33:59 (14 views)
      • They are pricey! OEM Bimmer Parts is a deal, when mine went I needed it ASAP - Magnum 2007-09-12 16:44:14 (12 views)
        • Dang! 6 hundy! (nt) - IBHenry 2007-09-12 16:57:24 (6 views)
  • It still sounds like it is in the belt system.... - TxDarth 2007-09-11 23:40:33 (30 views)
    • Thanks Darth - IBHenry 2007-09-11 23:51:59 (15 views)
      • On some <99-01 there were several cases that I recall where oil pump bolts came - TxDarth 2007-09-12 00:11:52 (23 views)
        • Thanks again Darth! - IBHenry 2007-09-12 00:19:46 (11 views)
  • Damn man...GL figuring this out...I hope the mechanical big dogs chime in soon. - ......albo 2007-09-11 22:56:59 (12 views)
    • Yeah the mounts are fine I'm at a loss, although it looks as if - IBHenry 2007-09-11 22:59:16 (10 views)
      • HELP, HELP, HElp, Help, help... - IBHenry 2007-09-11 23:12:53 (16 views)
  • this may be OT but how did you burnout in the parking lot - farhod 2007-09-11 22:53:39 (11 views)
    • That was easy, turn off the DSC function and gas it as you turn, and yeah OT! - IBHenry 2007-09-11 23:02:21 (9 views)
      • im going to try that...your burnout was nice haha nice way to cap off the day - farhod 2007-09-11 23:26:13 (8 views)
        • Thanks Farhod, me too and soon. My other car is a 'Burban=14 mpg highway - IBHenry 2007-09-11 23:33:56 (10 views)
  • See, I told you to take the belt loose and spin the pump.......... (nt) - TxDarth 2007-09-11 20:07:29 (18 views)
    • Yeah, your right. But something weird is happening and I'm worried (long) (pic) - IBHenry 2007-09-11 22:34:55 (152 views)
      • This ever happen to anyone? - IBHenry 2007-09-11 22:50:08 (13 views)
        • Remove the belt and hand spin every pulley & ide pulley- looks like a bearing - bmw635 2007-09-12 02:16:13 (10 views)
          • Do you think thjis seizing of the pump can cause the power steering brackets to - IBHenry 2007-09-12 02:21:56 (13 views)
            • Looks like the idle pulley that got chew up was seized that's why the belt - bmw635 2007-09-12 02:31:37 (11 views)