Battery Question/ slipping belt

[Brc0488]

So like an idiot i left my lights on and now my battery is dead. I jumped it and it started, but every time i remove the cables after a couple minutes it dies. On the battery the Hydrometer is black telling me that it doesnt have enough charge but doesnt need to be replaced (yellow means that). Should i just go ahead and replace the battery or does this sound like my alternater is bad?
Also has anyone had problems with thier fanbelt slipping (i think thats what it is) because about a week ago when i start the car up it makes a really high pitched noice when i rev the engine, but when i turn it off and then back on it goes away.

 

[mccallas]

Sounds like your alternator belt.

 

[Brc0488]

so is the battery sitll good and its my alternator belt thats bad....

 

[Brc0488]

now that i think about it it makes perfect sense.... is this going to cost me a lot to replace

 

[emanriv@yahoo.com]

hi, hey check and make sure the alternater belt is within specs and try it to soo what happens before you go spending your cash

 

[Brc0488]

how do i go about that...keep in mind i cant start my car sorry im not to car savy

 

[emanriv@yahoo.com]

check and adjust the belt in question and get a jump start , disconnect the batt to see if happens again.

 

[Brc0488]

i have a huge cover on my engine im not even sure where the alternator belt is...this is my first BMW...and first car that i actually cared about so i dont want to screw anything up

 

[Brc0488]

k well nvrm its def. the alternator belt...its not even there anymore..... anyone know how much its gonna be to replace the belt?

 

[jrt67ss350]

The belt should probably cost you somewhere around $40-50 for the part. Have no idea how much someone would charge to put it on for you.

 

[Brc0488]

yea watch it be 50 for the belt 200 for labor...

 

[emanriv@yahoo.com]

http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/E36-Belt-Replacement/E36-Belt-Replacement.htm ...... here is a good site i stumbled onto. check it out great info for any bmw owner.

 

[epj3]

Why are you guys talking $40-$50 for a belt? Am I missing something? Shouldn't be more than $5 for the belt and 15 minutes to put it on (probably more like 30 since you have to remove the a/c belt first)

 

[echothreezero]

Jump start the car, then drive to the dealership/your mechanic - it's a simple job - but ex[ect to pay $50 -100 I guess for time and parts and "dealer-factor".

BTW your car is a 2000 which makes it an e46, not an e21/e30

 

[jrt67ss350]

Why are you guys talking $40-$50 for a belt? Am I missing something? Shouldn't be more than $5 for the belt and 15 minutes to put it on (probably more like 30 since you have to remove the a/c belt first)

Don't E46's have serpentine belts? If so, please tell me where you can get a serpentine belt for $5!

 

[jrt67ss350]

2000 323i alternator serpentine belt is part #11 28 1 437 475 and costs $33.95 from BavAuto.

 

[jrt67ss350]

Jump start the car, then drive to the dealership/your mechanic - it's a simple job - but ex[ect to pay $500 -100 I guess for time and parts and "dealer-factor".

BTW your car is a 2000 which makes it an e46, not an e21/e30

If the car is missing the belt, DO NOT follow this advice. First of all, the alternator serpentine belt also drives the water pump/fan. Second of all, if there is no belt, there will be no alternator to provide power to operate the car after jumping it, which is why the car is dying a few minutes after jumping it.

You are either going to need to replace the belt yourself wherever the car is currently sitting, or you are going to need to have the car towed to someone who can replace the belt for you.

 

[epj3]

Oh sorry, just assumed we were talking e30's!!

Justin, bavauto's price for belts is pure bullshit, so is the dealer's and autozone/advance auto.

Autohausaz.com has the best prices for belts, but don't assume they have the right belt! Just had to return one for my E36, which is the 2nd belt I had to return to autohaus because they had the wrong size listed.

Got the 1560cm long serpentine belt (contitech) for $12.98, and ac belt (906cm) for $8.86. Took 15 minutes to install both (had problems routing the belts, since this is the ONLY car I have ever seen in my life without a sticker describing the belt's route on it!) Contitech is no crap brand, either.

 

[jrt67ss350]

Yeah, those are good prices for belts. Contitech is OEM equipment.