12317510599 Alternator 120A for BMW 320i 2.2L 2001-2005, 325Ci 2.5L 2001-2006

12317510599 Alternator, 120A, for BMW 320i, 325Ci, 330i, 5 Series, X5 and Z3 Six-Cylinder Engines

This 12317510599 alternator is a 120-amp, 12-volt unit listed by the supplier for a wide run of BMW inline-six cars from the late 1990s to 2006, among them the 320i 2.2L (2001-2005) and the 325Ci 2.5L (2001-2006). It turns clockwise, has a 6-groove pulley and uses plug code 335. Easy Life Markets sells it as a single alternator for owners who have matched the number 12317510599, 12317510597 or 12317510593 to their car.

BMW sixes of this period are known for running a long time, which means many are now on their second or third alternator. Heat from the engine, oil mist and plain mileage wear out the bearings, brushes and regulator. If you are new to the subject, the automotive alternator article explains how the unit makes current and how the regulator controls it.

What Arrives

• 1 x alternator with pulley

No bolts, belt or air duct parts are listed as included.

Specifications

• Amperage: 120A
• Voltage: 12V
• Rotation: CW (clockwise)
• Pulley: 6 grooves, pulley class S6
• Plug code: 335
• Regulator: IR (internal)
• Fan type: IF (internal)
• Housing material: Aluminum
• Colour: Silver
• Placement on vehicle: Front
• Brand: The supplier's text names MaXpeedingrods
• Reference numbers: 12317510599, 12317510597, 12317510593, 12311740629, 0 123 515 004, 943355051010, 2542377B, SG12B029, 13882, 13774, 13970, 13734
• SKU: CJQT296241501AZ

Vehicles on the Supplier's List

• 320i L6 2.2L (2171cc), 2001-2005
• 323i, 323Ci L6 2.5L (2494cc), 2000
• 325i, 325xi L6 2.5L, 2001-2005; 325Ci L6 2.5L, 2001-2006
• 328i, 328Ci L6 2.8L (2793cc), 2000
• 330i, 330Ci, 330xi L6 3.0L, 2001-2006
• 525i L6 2.5L, 2001-2003
• 528i L6 2.8L, 1998-2000
• 530i L6 3.0L, 2001-2003
• X5 L6 3.0L (2979cc), 2001-2006
• Z3 L6 2.5L and 3.0L, 2001-2002
• 325i (China market) automatic, 2WD, 2.5L M54, 2004

For 2004 and later 3 Series cars the supplier adds "w/Air Duct", and the 2006 entries name the M54 engine. Those notes matter, because the cooling duct arrangement on the back of the alternator changed during production.

A Note on the 140 Amp Entries

The supplier's list also names the 1997 528i, the 1999-2000 Z3 2.5L and the 1997-2000 Z3 2.8L, but marks those lines "140 Amp". This unit is rated 120A. We read that as the original on those cars being a 140A alternator, so we have left them out of the list above. If you own one of them, confirm by part number before you consider this unit.

How to Confirm the Match

1. Read your old unit. BMW alternators carry an eleven-digit number beginning 1231. Compare it with the references above.
2. Check the rating. The label also shows the amperage. It should read 120A.
3. Look at the plug and the rear cover. Compare them with the product photos, including whether your car uses an air duct.
4. Use the VIN. The last seven characters are enough for a BMW parts catalogue. Or send them to us and we will compare the result with this listing.

Tracing Alternator Noise

The supplier includes a short guide to noises, and it is sensible advice:

• Noise mainly while engine speed is changing: look at the belt first. Adjust or replace it.
• Noise from the front or rear end of the alternator: the bearings are the likely cause.
• Noise from the middle of the unit with vibration you can feel: the rotor may be rubbing the stator, and the unit needs repair or replacement.

Other signs of a failing alternator are a battery light on the dash, dim headlights at idle and a battery that keeps going flat.

Replacement Steps, as the Supplier Describes Them

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the intake hose, mass airflow sensor and air filter housing.
3. Loosen the belt tensioner and take the belt off the pulley.
4. Undo the fixings and remove the old alternator.
5. Clean dust and oil from the mounting area.
6. Fit the new alternator, refit the bolts and reattach all connections.
7. Reinstall the belt, the intake hose and the mass airflow sensor.
8. Reconnect the negative battery cable.

This is an outline, not a workshop procedure. Use the torque figures in a BMW service manual, and have a qualified mechanic do the job if you are not confident working around the charging circuit.

After fitting, charge the battery fully from a mains charger before the first drive and re-check the belt after a few days. An alternator is designed to maintain a charged battery, and recovering a flat one makes it run hot.

What the Supplier Says About the Build

According to the supplier, the unit is assembled from new components and is not a used or refurbished alternator. The supplier also says the rotor and stator are sealed with a secondary insulating coating to help prevent shorts, and that units are factory tested for load, voltage regulation, cycling and heat resistance. We pass that on as the supplier's description. We have not tested it ourselves.

Who This Alternator Is For

Owners of the listed six-cylinder BMWs who want to replace a worn original, and independent BMW workshops. It is not listed for four-cylinder or V8 models.

Common Questions

Is the 12317510599 alternator a genuine BMW part? No. It is an aftermarket unit sold under BMW reference numbers for cross-reference.

My original is 140A. Can I fit this? We would not. Fit the rating your car was built with.

Does it come with the air duct? No duct is listed in the package.

Buy the 12317510599 Alternator at Easy Life Markets

You can order the 12317510599 alternator here. The current price and availability are shown on this page. Please read our return and refund policy before buying.

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