Smoking Alternator!!! HELP!

[rodburg]

So i get into my 03 I35 140k one fine morning, turn the key and start enjoying the sweet purring of the smooth VQ sixer. After about 2 minutes into the usual warm up i start smelling burning and i saw light white smoke coming from under the hood. After shutting off the engine i pop the hood and to my great dispair i see the afore mentioned smoke coming from inside the alternator. When i looked closer i saw that the core is literaly red hot. Every since when i start the car after about 15 seconds it starts to burn again. Does anyone think ill have to get the entire alternator replaced? Whats interesting is that the battery still shows that its charging . In order to drive it to the shop i think i have to disconnect the alternator and drive on the battery itself. Can anyone tell me how i can disconnect the alternator so the engine bay doesnt catch on fire on the way to the mechanic. Thanks in advance for all the help...

sincerely ,

Rod Erenburg

[MattB]

At the very least you'll need a new alternator.

[rodburg]

wow that doesnt sound good ...and what would be the worst case scenario? as for my other question is there a way to disconnect the alternator so i can make it to my mechanic?

[drunkNun]

wow that doesnt sound good ...and what would be the worst case scenario? as for my other question is there a way to disconnect the alternator so i can make it to my mechanic?

You do realise what the alternator does right? It keeps your battery charged and pretty much keeps everything that needs electricity going while the car is running. With your alternator unplugged the car WILL run off of the power in the battery, but not for very long because there is nothing to keep your battery charged up. Replacing the alternator isn't as bad as you might think. If you want to start learning you could watch these video's on this website. http://www.expertvillage.com/v...t.htm

[Darktide]

You're headed on your way to a seized alternator. Just get it to your mechanic. Like it was said previously you won't last long if you disconnect the alternator. There is a chance your battery has gone to ruin as well (batteries and alternators tend to die together because of their relationship). Your situation is unique though, I've never heard of something like this happening. Just stop driving with it like this unless you absolutely have to (like to take it to the mechanic). How far away do you have to drive to your mechanic? you may want to consider a tow truck

[drunkNun]

How far away do you have to drive to your mechanic? you may want to consider a tow truck

Took the words right out of my mouth.

[rodburg]

so i disconected the alternator from the battery and sure enough the alternator stopped overheating . I made it to my mechanic (about 4 miles) on the juice from the battery alone . Turns out that it a ***** to get to the alternator on these cars so it ran me about 300 for the entire job with their altrnator. Can anyone tell me if i got riped off on this ?

thanks for the posts,,

-Rod

[Dansmaxima]

I'm here because I don't want to get ripped off! If you're in Brooklyn and they got you $300 for an alternator job, I think you paid, but not too bad!

[Ketchup83se01]

so i disconected the alternator from the battery and sure enough the alternator stopped overheating . I made it to my mechanic (about 4 miles) on the juice from the battery alone . Turns out that it a ***** to get to the alternator on these cars so it ran me about 300 for the entire job with their altrnator. Can anyone tell me if i got riped off on this ?

thanks for the posts,,

-Rod

Well depends on how much the rebuilt cost him maybe 100-150 for a rebuilt alternator maybe less. So he took in around 200 bucks for work. I think its a little to much to replace the alternator isnt that hard at all takes about an hour at home just taking it easy

[Darktide]

you got a good deal. It's normal for our alternators to cost $100-200 for a rebuilt. After that you need to consider a mark-up for them in case they have to warranty the work (normally 100% markup) and then for the actual labor. I think you paid just the right amount.