Transmission

i just had my transmission rebuilt a few days ago on my 92 735i. drove it for 2 days back and forth to work (52 mi/day). on the second night as i was going home, i started losing electrical power gradually. the abs, check engine and brake fluid lights started to pop up,then the whole instrument panel light started to become dim, then totally lost it then my battery dies as i pull over to the shoulder on the freeway. im pretty sure that it has something to do with the alternator but my question is, could it be possible that the shop (AAMCO) who rebuilt my transmission didn't do something in particular when they put the tranny back in? like is there a particular way that needs to be done when putting the battery back after it has been disconnected for a while, like while rebuilding the tranny? thanks. hopefully someone can read this and give me a call at 510-375-3161. thanks in advance to those who will be able to help me with this problem. im thinking that the alternator shouldn't stop working soon after the transmission gets put back in unless it's the alternator that was removed, rebuilt and reinstalled improperly. please help!

it's likely a 'fluke' but you didn't mention whether the 'BATT' indicator lamp is working, it's a red lamp like the others with a rectangle with a '+ & -' sign inside it. IF this lamp DOESN'T come on with the key on [engine off], the likely cause is worn slip-ring brushes on the alternator voltage regulator. the lamp circuit can be tested at the 'diagnostic connector', pin #12 i think. if your 735 has more than 100K this is a likely cause......The only error the trans. shop could have done was if for some reason the battery had gone dead and it was 'jumped' backwards, 'toasting' the diodes, IF this were the case however, that 'BATT' lamp would still function and would've been on or 'glowing' since you picked it up. hope this helps!
just reread your last sentence, the alt. removal isn't a part of a trans. repair, why'd you mention it? AND the voltage regulator can CAREFULLY be replaced on your 735 w/o alt. removal...................jb.

thanks, jeffrey. i checked the "BATT" lamp that you were talking about with the ignition in the ON position (engine off) but since the battery is drained i dont think that i'd be able to find out until it is charged (or does it matter?). i dont have the "diagnostic connector" so i wouldn't know. and besides, i know very little about bimmers, mechanically and electrically. that is why i mentioned the tranny job, because i have found a lot of things in my bimmer that is not in the usual place a regular car would have such as the battery, the fuel filters, water filler for the radiator and so on. i just thought that the alternator would be one of them. anyway, i've been corresponding with this one mechanic who mainly works on european cars and he, too said that it might not be an alternator problem and he will come to check it out. i will mention the thing about the slip-ring bushings on the voltage regulator if he doesn't mention anything like that after he diagnoses the problem. thanks for the suggestions and the elightenment. will keep you posted.

your cars 'diagnostic connector' is under the round cover/cap on thte left strut tower and 'opens' with a quarter turn. if after charging your battery you find the 'BATT" lamp inop., your mechanic can tast the lamp circuit with a simple test light to pin #12.
the BATT lamp will now glow and the 'test light' will glow dimly if the circuit's ok [ meaning replace the v-reg as the next step ]........best to you......jb.