E46 M3 alternator help

[Rick 343]

Hi all,been experiencing some strange symptoms,the dash cluster is occasionally slow to respond eg:I'll turn my high beam on,the blue icon doesn't light up for a couple of seconds,and stays on after high beam is turned off for a couple of seconds, same story with the indicators.The exterior lights all work as they should.
Came home to a flat battery so jump started and tested the battery via the hidden functions on the obd, reading 12.7 off and 14/14.2 at idle.
Are these within tolerance for a healthy alternator would you say?
After the jump start I only allowed the car to idle, I then stopped and started it again no problem,had an approx 5 mile drive,then turned off again and started up twice no problem.
Im assuming battery but have been told 14/14.2 is on the low side and points to a dying alternator, is this correct?
Thanks in advance

[Rick 343]

Anyone?

[rash_decision]

Rick 343 said:

Hi all,been experiencing some strange symptoms,the dash cluster is occasionally slow to respond eg:I'll turn my high beam on,the blue icon doesn't light up for a couple of seconds,and stays on after high beam is turned off for a couple of seconds, same story with the indicators.The exterior lights all work as they should.
Came home to a flat battery so jump started and tested the battery via the hidden functions on the obd, reading 12.7 off and 14/14.2 at idle.
Are these within tolerance for a healthy alternator would you say?
After the jump start I only allowed the car to idle, I then stopped and started it again no problem,had an approx 5 mile drive,then turned off again and started up twice no problem.
Im assuming battery but have been told 14/14.2 is on the low side and points to a dying alternator, is this correct?
Thanks in advance

Your alternator voltage sounds fine to me, but you should also check the amperage. I had a few E46 M3s over the years, and the batteries were always bad if I left mine for a few weeks. I'd change the battery first rather than the alternator, if the alternator outputs seem fine.

Edited by rash_decision on Wednesday 12th March 08:41

[Rick 343]

rash_decision said:

Your alternator voltage sounds fine to me, but you should also check the amperage. I had a few E46 M3s over the years, and the batteries were always bad if I left mine for a few weeks. I'd change the battery first rather than the alternator, if the alternator outputs seem fine.

Edited by rash_decision on Wednesday 12th March 08:41

This ties in with what im thinking,im going to do a proper test with a multi meter tonight and see what I can find.
Ive heard that a failing battery can cause weird issues with the dash/non essential functions. Thanks for the response.