Hello all,
so I just replaced the alternator for the second time and replaced the battery as well so both are new (reman alt) after I got everything together turned the car and metered and ita not going over 12. What else could be going on. Thanks
2012 country man S

 

You may simply need to register your battery with the computer so it knows to control the alternator voltage charging rate for a new battery...

 

Like 2014 MC says, that's probably it, however I don't think its as easy as you would hope it to be. You either need a software tool to do it or a trip to the dealer. I have Carly for stuff like that, there are many more.
https://www.mycarly.com/blog/car-mai...arly-bmw-only/

 

I am on my 4th rebuilt alternator on my 2015 Countryman.. The original alternator was replaced by a rebuilt from a local chain parts store. At the time the dealer could not get one from Mini. Shortly after the 1st rebuilt was installed they had to replace that one - I had not even picked the vehicle. Now one year later same thing. The issue will be if this needs replacement. Mini warrants their replacements for 2 years including labor. The alternator from the local chain parts store has a lifetime warranty - but does not cover labor. The dealer actually ate the labor for this most recent replacement but am not sure what will happen if this happens again. Since the dealer is 2 hrs away and no one local would touch it - I am inclined to bite the bullet and have an alternator from Mini installed and pay for the labor. A conversation I had with the mechanic was that rebuilt alternators for Mini products have a poor reliability reputation.

 

There are exceptions but as a general rule rebuilt alternators through any source other than the factory are to be avoided. The rebuild process is very cost conscience. I can understand this but the result is too often a sub-par rebuild is done.

The alternator is disassembled and what parts are deemed reusable are binned. Parts deemed not reusable are scrapped.

The binned parts are not kept separate to reinstall back into the alternator they came out of. When it is time to reassemble an alternator parts are pulled out of the bin. The alternator you end up with may have parts from a number of different albeit the same model of alternator.

While such a Frankenstein alternator may provide good service life the odds are not in its favor. The worn parts have to "break in" again and this time this leads to accelerated wear.

When I had to replace an alternator -- this in another car (Porsche) -- the tech told me the best choice was a factory rebuilt alternator. He said it was not that much more money but it came with a 2 year parts warranty and a 1 year labor warranty.