How To Change BMW E46 Alternator

How to switch to an Electric fan • BMW E46 Mechanical Fan...
Hey welcome to ShopLifeTV today I show you how to replace your alternator on a BMW e46 330i.
Let me know if you have any questions!
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Disclaimer: Due to factors beyond the control of ShopLifeTV, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. ShopLifeTV assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. ShopLifeTV recommends safe practices when working on vehicles and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of ShopLifeTV, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not ShopLifeTV. Disclaimer: The product links provided are often associated with an affiliate. When using any of the affiliate links I may get compensated for any products purchased using the link. This compensation does not affect my views on the product.

[@danielshaw5174]

cant tell you how many times you have made my life so much easier, thank yall from the bottom of my heart

[@ShopLifeTV]

I appreciate the support Daniel! Hope to continue helping out!

[@CryMoar_]

Thanks for this mate. Did mine tonight. Had to wait until 7 as 39 degrees again 😭 Perfect instructions. Not a single issue. Chargy chargy now, so happy 😊 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@MrStephen777]

A much more thorough and comprehensive video than the other yt previous to this, Well done, and i better get myne done asap.

[@judas2610]

Excellent video! Going to do this job tomorrow so VERY helpful. Subscribed. Thanks!

[@williamavery1758]

Dude this video is so handy,, thanks for explaining thr way u do,, so many people skip the little things,, u explain step for step,,

[@ChrystalClear]

You made it look so easy. Wish you lived nearby 🙂

[@kings3955]

Well done and well explained. A very useful video!

[@shefa56]

Awesome video man, thank you. Well explained and filmed. Cheers!

[@GermanRuss]

Thanks! Your videos are best!

[@gregwh2000]

How important are the dust caps on the idler pulley. Mine is missing.

[@dandonovan7328]

Bro you are such a big help ! Thank you !

[@andycorona4954]

How do you recommend taking the positive battery line off..thx

[@cstillz2562]

wondering about the cooling duct for the alternator, replacing my ccv and saw theres a big hole in the cooling duct under my alternator. did you not have one on this car at all? is it necessary or just nice to have?

[@ixobelledotcom]

very helpful. thanks so much

[@spacedkowboy7273]

Is there a way to tell if the alternator has an oval or rectangle connector before removing it? Awesome vids btw.

[@FnGcode]

What’s up man would it put any electrical issues to the car if I disconnect the positive while running

[@swankypants6227]

Thank you!

[@intunewithcars9484]

is the longer bolt at the top or bottom??? thanks

[@lilsnuff7987]

Is there a difference between universal and a regular alternator?

[@salim91160]

How it is with the m47d20 ?

[@MrCatlover10]

what amp is a bmw e46 alternator just been to price a new one shop want to know if it 90 amp or 120 amp how do i know thanks

[@shckltnebay]

Is there 12 volts on the alternator lead? Dont you need to disconnect the battery?

[@joelrivera9957]

how do i know which alternator to buy. i have an e46 323i

[@maximus8206]

Completed video's👌 Is it a 90A or 120A alternator for the 320i e46.?

[@noahhead4142]

Maximus did you ever figure it out

[@paulloper8333]

How do I know what alternator I need, 90-120 or even 140 amp. 325i from 2005?

[@javiersosa3944]

So you don’t recommend carquest alternator at all ??

[@ericmatheri9394]

I can't see regulator, does it mean some come without the regulator?

[@TheFlyingDoobman]

WHERE U GET UR LIGHT

[@psyopus1981]

thanks my mechanic will be greatful for this video he dont do bmw lol

[@Shroommduke]

good job

[@yadirabella1]

how to change ac of bmw745i 2004

[@cloz650]

So why do you have to unplug the maf sensor?

[@tsskage]

Hi i have question in my f30 i have new alternator 210a instead 160 a oryginal. I need to coding that or just swap? Thx man. Greating from Poland

[@jamesw6484]

Always use the recommended alternator because of voltage etc so you dont mess up your computer system

[@nivesknight]

Some vehicles the power goes to the battery then the engine. So pulling the cable is not the best option....

[@JohnLaden]

Thanks.

[@juanlemus5277]

do you know why e46 make a whine noise sounds like a supercharger lol while im driving in gear. when in neutral it makes no noise

[@ShopLifeTV]

I would check your differential first, and then check your transmission.

[@nicholasnikbin8651]

uhh if you remove the positive/negative you run the risk of damaging a good alternator... by damaging a diode.... and isnt it negative off not positive...

[@omnipotentgaming166]

It seems I do not have the same 16 mm tensioner there to losen the belt, Ive got. 13 mm and it does not release any tension on the belt? Is this common?

[@lukekelly6273]

very late reply but i have this issue also! my tensioner is the torx bolt on the pulley to the right of the 13mm. sadly i just stripped the threads trying to get my belt back on

[@lukekelly6273]

did u ever figure it out?

[@kingstance4646]

What if the alternator smokes ?

[@arkarparker702]

Hey bro, so the battery light on my e46 m3 dashboard popping while I was driving and the other day my car was not start and just click when I turn the key. Before that happened the battery light was on solid the whole time I was driving and next morning it just won’t start, so I check the battery and it runs 12v and up the power all around inside and outside lights are working well. So just yesterday I replaced the new alternator and tested my old one at O’Reilly it was indeed bad, but the thing is my car still won’t starts it just like before. The battery seem to be fine and new alternator now idk what is causing the problem, I jump start from the front terminal too and it does not help. Is there any tips and tricks that you can tell me! Thanks 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@PenGuIn-kd6zl]

What was the problem back then?

[@c6gav]

Can anyone tell me what's the difference with fitting a 90 amp alternator and replacing it with a 120 amp alternator..? Will the BMW still run the same..?

[@ericbarker8962]

No! You need a 120 Amp the car will not run properly

[@___rocaj]

Exactly the same method I used to check if alternator was bad disconnected positive and the car shut tight off

[@tylerporter9624]

Amazing video!

[@PrinceRocky561]

Yo, having a bit of an issue with my own e46. I foolishly left my parking lights on my car while I went to clock in for work. came back to my ride and all you hear is "Click click click" Dead battery. So I got a charger, charged it up 100% and I go out for a ride. Leave it to come back and Click click click again. Had a friend this time to jump start it. Went to Autozone says the battery is 75% working at 12V. Good condition. Think it might be the alternator eating my battery? (This was all in one day)

[@ShopLifeTV]

BMW's are very particular about their battery voltages. I would recommend putting a new battery before jumping to the alternator.

[@DoubleExiled]

Good vid, will come in handy. Btw First!

[@psyopus1981]

Why does my alt have 2 bolts on the back

[@NotVeryNiceToYou]

e46 rear trailing arm bushing

[@ShopLifeTV]

+BarberKid I plan on doing a rear bushing overhaul soon, will make a diy on that.

[@eggr17ify]

Any suggestions one where to buy an alternator?

[@nolansperling3743]

Autohausaz is where i got mine

[@Hammaneggs88]

I have a 01 330i and am thinking of switching to the electric fan. Is there any thing I need to change with wiring or is my stock wiring going to work? Basically will the electric fan just be a plug and play type of swap from the fan clutch style?

[@MarkOBrian]

Dude can you please do a video on changing your idle valve?

[@ShopLifeTV]

+MrDk23221 I actually have a car that needs the ICV and throttle body cleaned so I will be making a video on that shortly.

[@reubenpena3233]

i have 2004 bmw 325i i have a battery drain the steelership says ac control module is staying open i unplugged control unit and vehicle stayed charged over a month so i plugged back i turned vehicle on the something wierd happened i couldnt turn ignition off so i refastend connections back again on ac control module and then was able to turn ignition off ac works fine all function work fine its just the discharging of battery in 2-3 days that chaps me so do i believe steelership and replace ac control unit oh alt is good please help advise thanks

[@ShopLifeTV]

You can just buy a used one and make sure it fixes the issue, you will have a tamper dot until you code it, but try it first.

[@chaseramos4865]

Thank you! Damn this was a lot easier than the steering rack though 😂

[@fernandobanda8287]

PLEASE HELP !!!!! I put a new battery in my 02 e46 4 months back then the car sat for about 3 months in very cold weather. the car started and was fine. then it sat for a few weeks and then the battery was dead, after jumping the car I got it checked and they said my alternator was bad so I purchased a rebuilt alternator because that's all they had and the battery would still die so I checked the alternator and they said it was bad and then I checked the 4 month old battery and they said that was bad too. so I put in another new battery, 850 cc amps and with new battery I checked the alternator again and still showed bad. so do you think I just got a faulty alternator from bosch or do you think I got the wrong alternator that my car needs?? I know these cars came with the bosch and the Valeo alternators. mine had bosch on it but I have seen that they all are bosch alternators just that what is different is the regulator ? how would I find out if it's a bad alternator or wrong one that I purchased?

[@ashleystreams90]

My e46 sounds like it has a supercharger in it past 6k rpm💀

[@M_Full_Counter]

my car shows the battery light but when i take out the positive terminal from the battery it keeps running what can be the problem

[@carlozgonzalez1969]

Wtf no matter what vid i see mine doesn’t have the tensioner there