E46 320i Touring. Fan belt or Alternator

[figgsb]

Morning everyone,
the battery light came on in my car the other day and still starts first time every time. Eventually after driving the car for an hour the car eventually lost power and the battery died. The battery is only a couple weeks old so I know it is not the battery. Had the car recovered and the AA told me it was the alternator. Got a second opinion from a previous AA mechanic and he said that the belt has stretched and that its not charging the alternator properly.
Anyone got any suggestions?

[Ean218]

They're both right, it looks like the alternator is not charging the battery.

It could be the belt, it could be the alternator, might be a wire come loose, none of us know!

[E30M3SE]

Check the tension on the belt, if it is OK then it will be the alterantor.

[figgsb]

Who thinks that these E46 models are jinksed? The last E46 I had when we first bought it had to have two rear seat belts replaced and a camshaft sensor. All within a year of owning it. I think I will go back to the E36 or E90 if I have the money next year.