[Gorillajin]

Hello,

I was messing around in the engine bay, and stupid enough, I touched the alternator with a screw driver, and it sparked. I see a mark on the alternator, but everything seems normal....
Did I damage it? I doubt it did anything to the alternator, but I just want to make sure...

[shadow191]

Does your car still run? If it does, it should be fine. You basically just gave it a momentary ground. As long as it didn't short anything out or blow any fuses, you should be good.

[335NJ]

The outer casing was touched and it sparked? Or a connector on the alternator?

[Gorillajin]

Originally Posted by 335NJ

The outer casing was touched and it sparked? Or a connector on the alternator?

the outer casting...

[Gorillajin]

Originally Posted by shadow191

Does your car still run? If it does, it should be fine. You basically just gave it a momentary ground. As long as it didn't short anything out or blow any fuses, you should be good.

Yes it runs fine and it seems everything is working fine.

[335NJ]

Originally Posted by Gorillajin

the outer casting...

Then something's wrong. The outer casting shouldn't produce a spark when touched. I'd get that looked at.

[Gorillajin]

Originally Posted by 335NJ

Then something's wrong. The outer casting shouldn't produce a spark when touched. I'd get that looked at.

I honestly did not know where I exactly touched. I was there, a screw driver slipped, sparked. I removed the air filter box and I see a burnt mark on the alternator...so I assumed it touched there.
So far, car seems running fine, idrive working fine...

[335NJ]

Originally Posted by Gorillajin

I honestly did not know where I exactly touched. I was there, a screw driver slipped, sparked. I removed the air filter box and I see a burnt mark on the alternator...so I assumed it touched there.
So far, car seems running fine, idrive working fine...

Well if it hit a terminal on it, than don't worry about it just make sure you didn't pop any fuses. If the outer casting sparks when it's touched anywhere, I'd be concerened there's a short or something in it.

[markus037]

if i were you id stop messing around under the hood.

[Gorillajin]

Originally Posted by markus037

if i were you id stop messing around under the hood.

If you do not have anything to say about my question, just don't bother reply it here.

[caliber]

Like others said, if you did not blow any fuse, your car probably is fine.

My (a N54) alternator with terminals not covered, i don't know why. I checked my friend's new F10 520i, same but the alternator in my E46 has plastic covered the terminal.

If you are not sure, you can go back to check but proceed with care. Without the engine running, test the connectivity between alternator casing and a good ground with a ohm meter.

[Gorillajin]

Originally Posted by caliber

Like others said, if you did not blow any fuse, your car probably is fine.

My (a N54) alternator with terminals not covered, i don't know why. I checked my friend's new F10 520i, same but the alternator in my E46 has plastic covered the terminal.

If you are not sure, you can go back to check but proceed with care. Without the engine running, test the connectivity between alternator casing and a good ground with a ohm meter.

Thanks for the good suggestion. I will do it.

[fredcase]

Check the ground. Both ends.