1988 BMW 325I issue.

I have a 1988 BMW 325i convertible and heres the problem

Today as I was driving I noticed the head unit turned off it went from playing music to just a blank screen so as I come to a stop I turn the car off since it felt like it wasn't up to tune both music and driving wise.

So as I go to turn the car back on it dosen't want to well start you hear it turn over but no kick back into starting.

I looked at the fuses and a 7.5 fuse had blown, so I place a different fuse into it and then my friend jumped my car, as the car turns on its running for a couple minutes then makes a sound like its dying or kicking off and everything shuts off first the head unit then the whole car.

Now I'm in need of advice on what to do next the car is only allowed one more day to stay where it is at then Im screwed could it be the Alternator or the starter? Or would it be the battery however, the battery is pretty much new I got sometime during the end of the summer.

Any help would be appreciated.

Sounds like your alternator is kaput. Jump it off, then with it running check voltage across the battery terminals. Should be 13.8 or more. If it's less then the alternator is gone. If it is putting out charging voltage the battery has at least one dead cell.

between 14.5 and 13.8. it could be overcharging. or you have a short somewhere.

Originally Posted by hornhospital

Sounds like your alternator is kaput. Jump it off, then with it running check voltage across the battery terminals. Should be 13.8 or more. If it's less then the alternator is gone. If it is putting out charging voltage the battery has at least one dead cell.

Hmm, I will try that now I'm wondering if the 7.5 fuse that blown had anything to do with the car not wanting to start.

Also could it be my spark plugs going bad as well? I purchased new plugs a little bit ago and havent installed them yet.

The car when I put the keys in the ignition and turn over without starting the lights light up and everything seems to work yet when I go to turn it over it dosen't want to follow through a 100 percent.

And I only have today to fix the issue or have it towed.

FML.

depends on what that 7.5 fuse goes to. have a number location

I think number 21

If it is your alternator you may want to check your voltage regulator first before replacing the whole thing. If the brushes are too short the alternator won't create any current, this is what happened to me, Bently says the minimum brush protrusion is 5mm (1/4") and one of mine was 1/8". Soldered in a new set of brushes and your alternator is back to its glory of only a few bucks, I paid $6.44!

YES, check you voltage regulator, screws right out and costs like a few bucks to fix, I bet that is the problem.