If the alternator is working well, your multi-meter should read somewhere in the vicinity of 14 volts (typically 13.8-14.2). If it is reading excessively higher than 14 volts (greater than 15 volts) it is possible that the voltage regulator on your alternator is faulty or going bad.
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What should the BMW alternator voltage be?
That is, a fully-charged battery at rest should read 12.6 volts, but when the alternator is charging the battery, it should read about 13.5 to 14 volts.
How do I check BMW alternator voltage?

Is 15 volts too high for alternator?
A good alternator should maintain battery voltage between 13.9 and 14.8 volts (14.2 is optimum). Even worst-case, with all accessories turned on, there should be at least 13 volts at the battery.
How do I know if my BMW alternator is bad?
- Dead Battery.
- Slow Or Malfunctioning Accessories.
- Dashboard Warning Lights.
- Performance Issues.
- Trouble Starting Or Frequent Stalling.
- Growling Or Whining Noises.
- Smell Of Burning Rubber Or Wires.
- Electrical Issues.
How do I check my BMW battery voltage?

Is 14.7 volts overcharging?
If your battery has a charge between 12.4V and 12.7V, your battery is fully charged and ready to run. If your voltage is below 12.2V, it needs to be recharged. Take a 30-minute drive on the highway or pick up a charger to bring the voltage back up. If your voltage is higher than 12.9V, the battery is overcharged.
Are 14.4 volts overcharging?
The nominal voltage for a car battery is 12 volts, while the Fully charged voltage is around 14.4. Anything higher than 14.5 volts is considered an overcharge. In that case, the battery has to be unplugged from the charger immediately.
Is 14.5 volts too high for an alternator?
A good alternator should produce about 13.5 to 14.5 volts with the engine idling. If the voltage reading is low (12.5 volts or less), it indicates a charging problem but does not tell you what’s causing it.
How do I know if my alternator is bad?
- Dim or Overly Bright Lights.
- Dead Battery.
- Slow or Malfunctioning Accessories.
- Trouble Starting or Frequent Stalling.
- Growling or Whining Noises.
- Smell of Burning Rubber or Wires.
- Battery Warning Light on Dash.
How do I test to see if my alternator is bad?
First, open the hood and start the car. While the engine is running, remove the negative cable from the battery. If the vehicle stalls or dies, the alternator is likely bad. This happens because the alternator is not generating enough electricity to keep the engine running on its own.
What voltage should BMW battery be?
Check the voltmeter reading. It should be around 12.45 volts, but not more than 12.7 volts. If the reading comes in below this range, it might be time to replace your car battery.
How do I know if my alternator is overcharging?
- Car Battery Voltage Gauge Reading is High. You notice a high voltage reading on your cars vehicle’s dashboard.
- Car Battery Gets Hot When Charging.
- Your Headlights Burn Out Quickly.
- Your Car Battery is Bulging on Sides.
What causes alternator high voltage?
If you are getting more than 2 volts above base voltage, most likely your alternator is over-charging the battery or the battery is faulty. Other potential problems are a faulty voltage regulator or a problem in the charging system wiring.
Is 14.9 volts too high for alternator?
14.5-14.6 is normal voltage while the alternator is running.
How long does a BMW alternator last?
It keeps the battery continuously charged and the car’s electrical and computer systems up and running. The alternator works about as hard as any part of your car, so eventually, it is bound to fizzle out. The average longevity of an alternator is seven years or about 150,000 miles.
How do I know if my alternator is draining my battery?

Is it my alternator or battery?
If the engine starts but dies immediately, your alternator probably isn’t keeping your battery charged. If a jump starts and keeps your car running, but the car can’t start again off of its own power, a dead battery is probably your answer.
How do I access BMW secret menu?
Turn on the ignition, engine off. Press the start/stop button 3 times in quick succession. Hold the Trip Reset button on the bottom left of the gauge cluster for 10 seconds until the Hidden Menu appears on the right side of the display.
Why does my BMW car battery keep dying?
One of the electronics on your car drains too much power or does not go into sleep mode. Faulty alternator. Old battery.
How long should my BMW battery last?
Whether you have a brand new BMW or a used model, you might wonder how often to replace your car battery to ensure the best performance around Corona. On average, a BMW battery will last three to five years.
Is 14.6 battery voltage good?
The ideal car battery voltage with the engine running is between 13.7 and 14.7V. With the engine off, you should get a reading of 12.6 volts. If the battery isn’t fully charged, it will diminish to 12.4V at 75%, 12V when it’s only operating at 25%, and down to 11.9V when it’s completely discharged.
Can a bad battery cause an alternator to overcharge?
It often points to an overcharging alternator, but can also be caused by problems elsewhere such as a bad voltage regulator, bad battery wiring, or corrosion at the battery terminals.
Is 14.5 volts good for a car battery?
With the motor running, the multimeter rating should stay in the 14 to 14.5 volt range. Dropping below 14 means either the battery is weak and unreliable for sustained vehicle operation or the alternator is failing.
What should a 12v alternator charge at?
A car alternator needs to be putting out at least 13-14 volts (ideally between 13.8 and 14.2 volts) to effectively charge a 12 volt car battery.