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2001 allroad with 122k miles, while driving Friday it started to flash the battery sign - on then off (when the battery indicator was on, the voltage on the indicator was 11V, when was off - 14V). A few miles later (about 30 minutes of "flashing") the battery sign went solid on (voltage 11V and dropping); I exited the freeway and by the time I was safe at a gas station the instrument cluster was like a Christmas tree and the voltage was 8V.

My first question for the collective braintrust: can anything else than the alternator be the issue (how likely) - how do I check to be sure the alternator is dead?

Second question: what alternator should I replace with? I see Bosch re-manufactured alternators for as low as $170 - are there better choices?

Third question - how much should an indy charge for the job and how hard is to DIY - assuming average mechanical skills?

TIA

bmwrt

My 04' has 69000 and its in the shop for over 3 weeks now waiting for a factory alternator that is back order from Germany. Thanks for my BMW bike I'm getting around.