OK, I'm seriously going to have to hit myself if I'm right about this. Just got done replacing the coil with a spare, and soldering a few more contacts that looked a bit suspect (the whole thing is getting that way now lol :). Same issue, with no change.

Then I got to looking at the alternator. The new one is a bit different than the one I took off. I'm not able to lay my hands on my camera so I'll discribe it as best I can.

On the old one from the top going clock wise:

There was a ground line going to a contact with a small black box connected to it (bout the size of a paper clip.). Then a small post with two small nuts sandwiching a line that is black and blue. Then one positive terminal which had two (2) red wires coming off. One that runs to the battery, and the other back into through the harness.

On the new one...and here is where I think I messed up:

ground line going to a contact with a small black box connected to it (bout the size of a paper clip.). Then a small post with two small nuts...that I failed to hook anything to (I think this is my problem right here). Then, what I now think is 2 positive terminals (on a large black plastic connection) a small one that I have the black and blue line hooked to, and a larger one that my (2) positive lines are hooked to.

Can some one confirm for me that the two positive wires should be separated, and the black and blue wire hooked to that empty terminal?

I've taken the main positive and negative cables from the battery off the car, as I don't trust their connections. After I pick up a new pair this afternoon I'm going to try changing things around and test it.

Feel like a dip stick for not seeing it sooner!

"Aye sir, the more they overtech the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the drain"
-Montgomery Scott

• 15 second start...then kill 1984 733i (pic) - weierj80 2008-04-13 17:38:50 (218 views)
  • update: 15 second start...then kill 1984 733i (pic) - weierj80 2008-04-13 19:12:54 (161 views)
    • Maybe some pics to help- (pic) - stevebu 2008-04-13 20:33:59 (152 views)
      • Re: Maybe some pics to help- - weierj80 2008-04-15 11:04:05 (72 views)
      • Re: Maybe some pics to help- - weierj80 2008-04-15 09:59:32 (75 views)
      • And the all important main relay- (pic) - stevebu 2008-04-13 20:38:08 (124 views)
        • I give up... - weierj80 2008-04-20 18:22:18 (67 views)
          • Take a day off and don't think about it-seriously. - stevebu 2008-04-20 21:46:55 (72 views)
            • Re: Take a day off and don't think about it-seriously. - weierj80 2008-04-20 22:50:56 (57 views)
              • The latest bit. - weierj80 2008-04-27 15:42:59 (69 views)
                • Re: The latest bit, correction. - weierj80 2008-04-27 16:01:38 (61 views)
                  • This is how the 83 I have is: - stevebu 2008-04-28 16:19:48 (59 views)
    • im not positive, but i think it is the valve for the (url) - goms187 2008-04-13 19:25:09 (105 views)
      • Re: im not positive, but i think it is the valve for the - weierj80 2008-04-13 19:35:42 (75 views)
        • no dice - weierj80 2008-04-13 20:11:20 (78 views)
          • Re: no dice - goms187 2008-04-13 20:37:56 (74 views)
            • Re: no dice - weierj80 2008-04-13 23:46:12 (69 views)