How To Diagnose and Replace BMW Alternator M52/M54/M56

In this video I will be going over how to diagnose and replace a faulty alternator on my 2002 BMW E46 330i with the M54 engine.
This is the same process for the M52, the M54, and the M56 BMW engines.
This repair will also cover E36 Roadsters, E39, E46, E53, E60, E83, and E85 body styles.
I show you how to diagnose a faulty alternator, how to replace it, and what tools are required for the entire job.
I hope you enjoy and find this helpful! If you do, be sure to drop a comment and let me know, and if youd like to see more content dont forget to subscribe! :)
If you’d like to support the channel, you can join my KZbin membership program, it’s the “JOIN” button on this video or my channel homepage, or you use this link here!
/ @dayoffdiy
If Patreon is more your speed, we got one of those too!
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TOOLS USED:
VTOMAN X7 Jump Pack/ Air Compressor
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Inspection Mirror Set
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Panel Popper Set
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Torx Sockets
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Allen Sockets
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Metric Wrench Set
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[@JRBRestorations]

Sage is so cute… oh, and the BMW is nice also😂. Great video, I have a 2000 E46 328i. I am the second owner, a sweet daily driver. Original alternator at 170k miles, but on its 6 th water pump, second radiator, 5 th coolant reservoir, 5th power steering reservoir and hoses!!! But still a great driver. Keep up the great videos.

[@robsweekendgarage]

Man that blue is gorgeous. With the alternator there are both Bosch and Valeo alternators - they have different plugs so def wanna use your mirror trick before you order. They can be interchanged but needs the correct plug wired in. Also - you can usually get away with just a voltage regulator replacement. Much cheaper! But if it’s a daily and ya need it now, an alternator is the way to go. You can also view voltage in the hidden menu on the cluster. Need to get INPA so you can scan those modules. Common for dsc to throw lights with low voltage. Sometimes will go away with a key cycle or two. Try the o2 pilot mod for the oil consumption. Use vacuum nipple off the back of the intake to the vacuum port on the CCV. The M54B30 has issues with oil control rings. The added vacuum helps suck the rings out and seal better. Has helped mine a bit. I think I’m gonna do a headliner/ABC pillar resto on the silver 330ci. Did it on my grey one a few years ago. About $100 in materials. Keep an eye out for the vid!

[@basesperanca]

Just FYI, I own an E46 convertible with the M54B22 engine for little over a year, and because of your E90 video, I just bought a 2006 E90 with the N52B25 to replace my daily. I'll pick it up now early April and I'm planning on basically just following your E90 "restoration" video. Wish me luck, cuz I tried before an E90 with the N53 engine and right next day I had a CEL with misfires... the dreaded injector issues on the N53. Really looking forward to working on The N52 :) just because of you! Cheers bro!

[@bethanymama2]

Love Sages parqkore off the bean bag at the end 😂 She is such a darn cutie. Nice video. This will be so helpful for many. These charging systems can seem tricky sometimes and I think we can over think them. With the IBS and potential draws… this was great! Showing simplicity with using deductive reasoning and rechecking things! As well as how parts can be faulty out of the gate!

[@rossparkes]

Loving seeing some more E46 content man, this one reminds me of mine a lot! My bodywork is poor and the interior also looks like crap (way worse than yours), I have the beige as well so it just looks so tired! Pretty sure I need a new bonnet too, luckily it had basically a new alternator when I bought it. Keep up the great videos man!

[@friguy4444]

You are one of the best on YT!! But hey my friend don't you know about just replacing the "Voltage Regulator" on your BMW alternator?? Seriously this will save you a LOT of cash! Plus after wards you'll have new brushes and the thing is ready to go for another 100,000 miles or whatever we get out of them. LOL. Look into doing just the VR on these Both Brads that BMW uses not just Bosch but Valeo too. BTW 13 Volts on the E46 Won't do the charging job!!! Seriously! The car MUST put out 14 Volts preferably 14.1 or 14.2 to really run healthy!! I know I've had the charging troubles too! LOL.

[@darwinkabaittv]

I support you always Sir. Waching your video always. I have my BMW also, I get a little bit knowledge from you.

[@seanshepherd6767]

Bro you help us out so much thank you! Keep the vids coming your the best!

[@DayOffDIY]

glad you enjoy em sean! appreciate it!!!

[@andrewgarcia3136]

that vtoman looks sick

[@CohnWolfeFitness]

Glad this is an easy repair. Still on my original alternator. Ugh, I can’t change the time on my car. That dial on the right broke on my car 😢

[@sandyalysonamos9396]

Great channel. Just a tip I picked up from Scanner Danner - Charging a low battery with a new alternator, before the brushes have had a chance to bed in to the rotor, can sometimes smoke the new alternator. It makes sense if you think about what the voltage regulator would have to do if new brushes are making line contact instead of area contact when bedded in - resulting in a smoked voltage regulator. That might be what happened to the first one you put in. Definitely worth recharging the battery if low before using a new or rebuilt alternator.

[@andrewgarcia3136]

slow chargers are cheap to buy and 100% worth having

[@kriterzz5383]

Love the videos, keep it up im sure this one will be as great as the rest

[@DayOffDIY]

appreciate you!

[@ricknorville2324]

Great work buddy 😊 I'm enjoying watching your KZbin videos you go a great job I love that BMW too shame you cdnt keep.it lol 😂😂

[@tehedx]

I wonder if the ABS light came back on as soon as you started to drive again. In mine, the ABS unit seems have gone bad and has to be sent to a repair shop that refurbishes it. Probably re-flows bad solder joints and such. It takes a couple of weeks, but is a lot cheaper than a complete new unit. Furthermore good repair!

[@user-ci4cj5eq4x]

Another great video released 👏

[@clivelawrence8017]

This is a very timely video... My battery light started flickering on and off today, and now stays on :( The OBC test menu, and my voltmeter, shows just under 12 volts with the engine running. I've got a (probably original) Valeo 90A alternator in my 2004 325Ci. Gonna check the connections, and measure the voltage, at the starter (if I can get to them) and the back of the alternator before deciding on what to do. I'd like to get just a voltage regulator if possible. The car's only done 86k miles so I think the rest of the alternator should be OK. Gonna check the bearings. The belt and deflection pulley are new. Thanks again for the video!

[@pvt_weed]

Where you able to get ISTA to work on other cars? If so which ones. Also if you have INPA, does that work for this car? An idea that popped into my mind was maybe the cable you are using is incorrect or not switched to the proper setting. I use a K+DCAN cable for my e46, e39, and e60. The e60 uses KCAN and the e46 and e39 I believe uses the DCAN. On my cable there is a switch to choose the different CANs. If I don't choose the correct one ISTA can't communicate with the car. (After finishing the video) Maybe its the car's electrical issues that are causing the communication failures :(

[@darwinkabaittv]

Sir I have a Question. I have N52 and it’s burning oil. How can I fix burning oil?

[@gonein60hours]

You mentioned oil consumption. If there are no obvious leaks on the m54 bottom or top part of the engine, and I lost 5 gallons of oil over 5k miles, whats the first thing u would check or replace? Thanks! Great work. Proud e46 owner

[@lieutenantdan8170]

Wtf did someone swap a rotary engine in there haha, first thing i would do is a leak down test to see if the rings are worn if it's not the rings then it's the valve stem seals.

[@gonein60hours]

@@lieutenantdan8170 lol yeah need to get it checked I guess. Thank you

[@gonein60hours]

@@lieutenantdan8170 Correction. My dumb ass typed gallons instead of quarts. I meant 5-6 quarts of oil lost for my past 5k miles or so.

[@lieutenantdan8170]

@@gonein60hours lol that's a lot less excessive

[@DayOffDIY]

LOL i agree with Lt Dan, leak down test, and then test the valve stem seals. One way i used to check valve seals on the N62 and N63 is id let the car idle for 5 minutes or so, then slap the throttle hard and quick, and check for smoke out the tail pipe. As far as oil consumption on the m54, its usually in the cylinder head. Pulling the head and sending it out for rebuild really gives these cars another 150k+ miles of life

[@SethHU]

In your opinion what's the best engine for reliability? I have two e30s but have been looking at a f30 for a new daily.

[@kriterzz5383]

n52 is really really good if you take care of her

[@lieutenantdan8170]

Stay away from the 4 cylinders

[@DayOffDIY]

most reliable? id say the M54, and the N52. 6 cylinder non turbo, thats what BMW does best IMO

[@thetoughcookie3665]

M52! 😎

[@earnestbunbury2103]

m50 ...

[@daveunbranded]

Seems like you have the infamous bmw parasic draw

[@LeverPhile]

No hammer to push in that Alternator bushing ... cast aluminum is brittle and the ear could break off.

[@lieutenantdan8170]

Can't trust parts quality now a days just had to replace a gates water pump with less than 2000 miles on it the other week.

[@DayOffDIY]

its getting SOOOO bad!

[@thetoughcookie3665]

I bought about year ago Gates thermostat to E83... already on this wintet it started to mess up something, temps did not rise up and dropped down... and when the colder temp went off, all good again. It was in middle of driving too and then again all fine. Weird things happens when the temp goes to -30c and there about. 🥶 Atleast it's rare. But the parts... I would avoid Chinese manufactured parts the most if I would know for before what to order to dodge them.

[@cherrysunburst1959]

avoid the metal impeller after market water pumps. they are too heavy and become unbalanced quickly.

[@lieutenantdan8170]

@@cherrysunburst1959 3800 v6 have metal impeller from factory

[@bethanymama2]

Im not sure about you guys, but my biggest issue with aftermarket parts is anything electrical. I swear it is always those. Relays, switches, sensors, alternator. Not sure what is going on with these things anymore. But, in my experience it seems like they rarely work properly, or at all, or give up very very quickly.

[@Downy1230]

what an extreme situation for an alternator from 17v to 1v on the battery lol

[@haroonzangana8489]

sage 🤣

[@DayOffDIY]

shes almost healed up!

[@user-qq1up4eb7e]

Соленоид ваноса срочно поменять 😂😂😂😂 весь ржавый 😂