water in alternator consequences: 1990 535i

[Unregistered]

If water spray accidentally got into the alternator, what consequences might result?

Would that be consistent with battery drainage, dead battery, charging circuit fault code 1231, etc.?

Woud it likely necessitate replacement of voltage regulator, diodes, etc.?

Or, would simple dry-out and generous dousing with WD40 do the trick?

Any/all thoughts and suggestions much appreciated.

[ryan roopnarine]

how long has it been like (this) and what has it been doing? do you have a VOM to measure its output or can you get to an autozone or discount auto parts (in the US)?

If water spray accidentally got into the alternator, what consequences might result?

Would that be consistent with battery drainage, dead battery, charging circuit fault code 1231, etc.?

Woud it likely necessitate replacement of voltage regulator, diodes, etc.?

Or, would simple dry-out and generous dousing with WD40 do the trick?

Any/all thoughts and suggestions much appreciated.

[Unregistered]

Yesterday afternoon, changing PS pump hoses and replacing engine mounts, oil and crud got spilt in my otherwise clean engine bay. So, used 1,300 psi pressure washer to clean up the mess, being very careful NOT to get near any electrical connections or cables. However, a gust of wind caught the upright hood, and when I ducked & reached up to catch it, accidentally sprayed the alternator.

My old '90 535i alternator has its regulator and wiring on its aft end, and got sprayed. The air cooling duct was not installed, so some spray also went into the main box. A couple of hours later, the car started up and ran OK for a couple of miles, but on attempted re-start got the familiar starter motor clicking: Cable jump got the car started and driven home, but the gauges died enroute, with battery light, ABS light, etc. flashing. Stomp test showed code 1231, which relates to charging circuit/battery, as you'd expect.

I sprayed the whole thing generously with WD40 to displace water, and left the charger on all night. The BATTERY took the charge OK, so will provide juice for starting for awhile, even if the alternator fails to replenish charging current. Now now I'm wondering if a thorough dry-out of the alternator/voltage regulator may be sufficient, or if replacement of the part is necessary.

[ryan roopnarine]

as you seem to know a little bit about the workings of the alternator, but haven't indicated if you have a VOm or are in the US, here's a page about unlocking the obc

http://home.iae.nl/users/bts/obc.htm

i show you this because there is a function to display battery voltage when the unit is unlocked (in the obc). this way, you can tell if the unit is charging or not. i doubt that you'd need new electrics just from getting it wet...you could get a down and dirty type alt. shop fix if something actually is broken for about 50 US.

[winfred]

generally a alt can handle water as long as it gets dried out before the bearings get affected, usually the heat of running drys it out fine, i've regulary washed the motors on all of my cars and parents cars i've worked on (i work on greasy pieces of shit all day long, if i gotta work on my car i want it clean) ill go ya one more, a few years back duing a minor flood here we had to drive through some 1-2' water with our old 1975 240d mercedes, i could tell how deep the water was getting in the engine compartment because the battery light would come on when the alt went under water, it never died from the experence on the 2-3 years we owned the car after that. now that said it doesn't mean that it's not a possiblity that you can kill a alt with water, mabie something was cracked and was just waiting for some water

[Unregistered]

Charged the battery all night, & car started OK with no lights or codes. Then ran at idle with AC, CD/radio, headlights, flashers, etc. for max drain. After a few mins. the battery light started flashing, so it seems the alternator is not charging the battery, as seemed the case yesterday after water intrusion.

Local NAPA checked the alternator. It's a Bosch 14V 25/140A, part number 0 120 468 013. They got 14 volts for just a moment, then zero.

From this brief description, does it appear the unit has a faulty regulator, diodes, and/or brushes? And, are such parts replaceable at some reasonable cost? BMA or local alternator shop?