how far on battery + dead alternator?

[kamus]

if i think my alternator is screwed, and i fully charge the battery, and then start the car by rolling down a hill (to save the charge) how far can i drive before the battery dies?

I wanna know if I can get it to my prefered shop to check/replace the alternator.

And what if I start with the ignition - how far then?

[supernaught]

not far, and a lot less than not far if you use the starter, maybe nowhere.

[supernaught]

CAA is cheap I just got a car towed 160kms no $$ out of my pocket

[Quack]

anywhere between 10-20 mins, maybe more if you're lucky

[ThatOneM42]

if ur battery light comes on when you turn on ur car, its most likely ur alternator.

if ur goin to do it, turn off ur cdplayer, headlights, try not to use ur brake lights or signal lights lol...this might help you just a bit more. or just be safe and get CAA.

[T.Dot_E30]

It's very risky and impossible to tell how far for sure.

Either take a chance or play it safe and have it towed.

[thatguy]

easy disconnect the fuses for almost all the accessory for the car except the DME. u should make it very far, 1-2hour drive.

[Axxe]

I made it 40 mins home on a dead alt and a dying battery. It ran out of juice 2 KM from home

[kamus]

I have CAA but have already used them 3 times this year, twice for me and once for a friend.

Also is this a valid test: If I get the car started, and then disconnect the battery - a 'good' alternator would keep the car running right? So that might tell me it's the battery that's screwed.

The reason I'm not sure which is because this battery sat dead for the six months while waiting for my recent engine swap. And if these questions sound silly, it's because I don't have a voltmeter etc. to do the obvious

Thanks everyone!

[e30_kid89]

No No! I hear pulling the battery while the engine while running can fry some electronics...

[BmW1819]

hook up a multimeter when your car is just sitting there it should be around 12.1- 13.0 volts start your car it should jump to at least .5 more than it start for example it starts at 13.0 volts it should at least charge to 13.5 . that's just a quick test

[calegrant]

I'm experiencing a few battery/alternator issues ATM but I'm not sure how to distinguish who the culprit is. When I start it at 630 am around 0 degrees the lights are really dim, when I give it gas they go to pull brightness. When the rpm's drop down to idle the lights dim as well. After about 5 minutes the problem goes away. I"m assuming it's battery related because of the cold but thought I'd ask to be sure.

[craz azn]

^ Voltage regulator

[BmW1819]

Originally Posted by craz azn

^ Voltage regulator

agreed

[calegrant]

The voltage regulator is located behind the alternator and is a simple replacement correct? If I were to go down to lordco is there a specific part # I'd need to have, I assume bosch would be my best bet for a replacement.