Battery Warning Light

[Guest mcramsay]

Had a look through the manual and can't see anything but is it an iva requirement to have a battery light on the dash? Had a few issues yesterday and I think it's because my dash loom feeds into the main BMW engine loom plug for a few bits, that includes the wiring for the alternator. I remember the BMW dig ran showing a diode in the circuit for the indicator light... Anyway when testing yesterday I was only getting 7v to the alternator from the warning light. Not enough to get it charging. So I put a switched 12v supply to it and it worked perfectly. It's just a lot of work at this stage to open the dash up again and run a new wire

[Guest mcramsay]

Might I add I have a Volt meter on the dash to indicate charge so I can see if I have any issues

[stevedohc2b]

I found out how far you can drive on a battery when alternator gave in. I have a volt gauge that while driving through Blackwall tunnel went down to below scale, made it through but only had 9 volts at battery with a test meter at terminals car still running gave up 10 miles on so made about 15 miles with side lights on as well.

so both are a help new one fitted and now get a good 14 volts.

 

Stephen

[theduck]

No IVA requirement as far as I can remember. From memory you need

 

Indicators

Side light (back light of dash is fine)

Dipped headlight

Full beam

Rear fog

Low brake fluid with test switch (normally handbrake)

[IanS]

Dipped headlight new to me

[Guest chris brown]

Dipped headlight new to me

me too