When changing the oil filter today, the surround on the alternator plug decided to disintegrate (shown in Jim's picture in the link)
http://www.bmw2002faq.com/component/option,com_forum/Itemid,0/page,viewtopic/topic_view,threads/p,620634/t,324603/
The plug is intact and the retaining wire is present. Is the surround important and can these be replaced? I couldn't find a reference in the parts catalog or in old posts.
TIA,
--John