electrical problems ( i think )

[mx-3 noob]

I hit a curb the other day, and when i hit everything electrical shut off, and now i get this burning rubber smell if my heater is on. i talked to a mechanic where i get my car serviced and he said it could be electrical housing thats melting. Also my ignition illuminator under the steering wheel and inside lights no longer come on when i open my doors. another thing is when im idling with my rear defroster on and my lights, the charge light comes on, so the mechanic turned up my idle, but yet it still comes on if im running my heater and the same time as the rear defroster and lights. Feel free to provide me with your thoughts. THANKS!

[DavidOS]

damaged alternator

[Pedro_mx3]

im with DavidOS on this 1, get your alternator checked out

[IanL]

Very likely damaged alternator, but the thump may also have disturbed other items, hence the lights not coming on - that could be ground(s), blown fuse(s)....

<small>[ December 07, 2004, 04:06 AM: Message edited by: IanL ]</small>

[Grants]

Can you give us some more info like where the smell is coming from? The heater doesn't use much current, so is the smell there with only the lights and demister on? Does the engine bog down a bit when you turn the lights on at idle? How did you get everything electrical working again after it all shut down (the battery should take over if the alternator failed)?

This sounds like a strange fault...

[mx-3 noob]

hey guys, sorry for the lack of reply, but ive got good news. i got rear ended yesterday and the woman who rear ended me just happened to be a manager at speedy automotive. the was no damage on my car except for a little black circle on my rear bumper from her licence plate screw, and she fixed my electrical problem for free, turns out all it was is someone tested the codes for the check engine light before, and they left the piece of wire in there, so i guess it was short circuiting or something of that relation. the burning smell was road salt sticking to my exhaust and burning. and the dome light problem was the switch that was sticking, because it was frozen after a car wash, wow dont i feel like and idiot. hah

[bmwm3guy]

glad to hear its working. What colour is your car? any mods? Maybe Ive seen ya around.

[mx-3 noob]

its a blaze red 92' GS. no mods, hah except for a little mcguires wax. oh and i took my air dam off, cause i kept hitting speed bumps.