Need some input... car broke down
 

Fellas, so the other day Im chuggin along and I lose my steering around a pretty sharp turn. Almost wrecked the car but managed to get it into a lot. After I pulled in I got dynamic drive fault, trans failsafe, abs parking, check engine, generator fault ect... the car is on its way to the stealer and Im just curious what could have happened... is it the unregistered battery? I've had it for over a year and had no issues. Could it be the serpintine belt? How much could I be looking at money wise? Thank you guys.

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Sounds like either a battery or alternator issue. I had the same problems with my M6 and it was alternator.

+1 did you hear any rattling or smell something funny?

No smell man. Car was really shakey to start and knocked hard . No sound but it was only 15 degrees. Any thoughts on cost?

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Alternators run about $1000.00 at the dealer an the labor around $500.00 at a good Indy. If you shop around you can find a remand alternator for around $350.00 to $500.00. Or try Auto zone maybe like $700.00 or so.

Battery will cost less then $300.00 if I rem,ember correctly. Try sears an make sure its a AGM battery type 46 I do believe. Plus you must register it. Good luck.

Thank you rookie. I am crossing my fingers its just the battery.

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It's probably your battery since you didn't register it. You can check on realoem to find the price of the alternator. Mine was replaced under warranty, but I was thinking the parts cost was around $700.

Here is a video I took when my car started going crazy. I was on the highway 150 miles from home. I got some of the same messages as you along with the steering wheel being hard to turn. Pay close attention to the speedometer as well. Pretty scary going 80 mph and having this happen.

http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/...71F889887C.mp4

Edited the terrible curse words out of the video. :)

Thanks for the help db. Scared the crap out of me. I believe the dealer said something about it being $600 IF it is infact the battery.... that seems really high for just a battery...

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Yeah that's very high. You can buy the battery at autozone. Just make sure it's the proper AGM battery as rookie said. Find an Indy to register it.

If your belt breaks same thing happens. Did u pop the hood and look? If not alt

So I just heard back and $900.00 for the belt and battery. Does this sound right??

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From the dealer... Yea that could be right but it would have been cheaper if you purchase the battery an belts an went to an Indy to have repaired.

Battery take little to know time to swap. Paper did mines in the parking lot of sears an registered it in mins

Problem is AAA took it to the dealer which is over an hour away. I'm not familiar with any indys that know bmws.

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I would say yes then cause you cant really predict what the dealers will charge, just know it will be HIGH.

Thanks for your help rookie.

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Check here for reputable independent BMW shops:

http://www.bimrs.org/

Same thing happened to me every morning or when it was cold. Turned out to be the Alternator. Bought mine from www.rockauto.com.

+1. If you're hearing a dull (and possibly loud / somewhat violent) knocking/thunking, you're likely looking at an alternator. Mine did that then seized up...had my alternator rebuilt for around $200 at the nearest alternator shop, threw on new belt in place of burned up belt, all was good.

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My generator fault sensor came on but the car still running fine is that the altenator or battery issue???