issue of pulsating interior lights and engine idle

[anaksarawak]

My friend in Miri, Sarawak a proud owner of E46 318ci N42B20 yr 2002, just BBMed the following My lights were pulsing slightly based on small idle fluctuations. He has replaced the one year old battery with a new D100 battery but problem still persist and no error code.Anyone experience the same issue? Any suggestion? My online research point to cheap or low grade alternator but am not sure that's the cause.

 

[Dayalan]

im having similar issues with my '03 318 (CKD). when it started i got worried and replaced alternator with original new one, but issue still persist and batt is new as well. dunno if its some other connection issue or relay issue. i have chosen to ignore it as no warning lights appear and no error on diagnostics. plz do update if you have found out the culprit

 

[anaksarawak]

im having similar issues with my '03 318 (CKD). when it started i got worried and replaced alternator with original new one, but issue still persist and batt is new as well. dunno if its some other connection issue or relay issue. i have chosen to ignore it as no warning lights appear and no error on diagnostics. plz do update if you have found out the culprit

Look like this is a common issue for N42B20

 

[anaksarawak]

Bump.. Anyone else experience this issue?

 

[Ecc0]

..chances are that you have an issue with voltage regulator, what seems to be a common issue with E46..so, just replace voltage regulator (53USD) instead of whole alternator unit..here is similar article..

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=583423

 

[Ecc0]

..also, you could do self check over your alternator, before you decide to do anything..here is the video..

[video=youtube;3AajTPsJyPI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AajTPsJyPI&feature=related[/video]

 

[anaksarawak]

..also, you could do self check over your alternator, before you decide to do anything..here is the video..

[video=youtube;3AajTPsJyPI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AajTPsJyPI&feature=related[/video]

Thanks EccO .. Good tips, I have asked him to checked the alternator and its holding fine even with aircon and headlight on. Whats the other possible cause?

 

[jeffreyewe]

similar issue wt my E46 N42B20, found out that one of my coil plugs were faulty.

 

[anaksarawak]

similar issue wt my E46 N42B20, found out that one of my coil plugs were faulty.

Yupp that's my next suspect. Thanks bro

 

[anaksarawak]

Thanks EccO

Its the regulator and problem solve via DIY in Miri, with guide from the following link.

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=583423

 

[anaksarawak]

..chances are that you have an issue with voltage regulator, what seems to be a common issue with E46..so, just replace voltage regulator (53USD) instead of whole alternator unit..here is similar article..

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=583423

Bro, any idea where to source for the regulator in msia and where to have it replaced. Thanks