'83 320i battery light stays on while keys out of ignition.

'83 320i battery light stays on while keys out of ignition.

-had a reman bosch alternator just put in a month ago.

-had the battery checked and it checked good.

any suggestions???

look at your alternator...( like all the hook-ups)

alternator wires are good.
Noticed sometimes just the clock stays on also...

it sound like to me that there maybe a grounding thing going on there....

Sounds like bad ignition switch. Power should be all off with key removed.

i forgot this was posted... i found a couple wires about 8 inches off of the alternator shorting out on each other.
thanks everyone for the input!

^^^^like I said too you....nice too see you fixed it now....hwhehehewewe

I am having this problem with a 1987 325i . with the engine off and key removed the battery light stays on. i cannot find a short in the wires. i removed the small wire from the alternator (field wire?) and the light goes out. I shorted the loose wire to ground and the light did not go on. does this mean i have an internal short in the alternator. everything works ok when the engine is running

sounds like your alternator is pulling power from your battery. i learned a little bit about this stuff from my previous adventures with my '83 320i. if i remember correctly it is the voltage regulator pulling power (maybe a short in itself)
i think it is def worth a shot...
especially if you have checked your wires off the alternator. like mine.
also, after i fixed my wires, the clock stayed on at all times for about an hour or so... never figured that out but it never returned.

also the post before you this person: PBC///2.7
also has an e30.... they def steered me the right way.

Originally Posted by rgmrgm

I am having this problem with a 1987 325i . with the engine off and key removed the battery light stays on. i cannot find a short in the wires. i removed the small wire from the alternator (field wire?) and the light goes out. I shorted the loose wire to ground and the light did not go on. does this mean i have an internal short in the alternator. everything works ok when the engine is running

take your "alternator" to a place to have it tested it,if it passes then check your wires that come your battery....if is still doing this...you may have to replace wires that come off your "alternator then....Oh yes how old is your battery and alernator by the way???