Step number one, (do it tonight) should be taking the voltage regulator out and visually checking for obvious problems.

There's only one way they "normally" fail -- the brushes get too short. You can literally jack up a corner of the car, roll under it, take out two exposed phillips head screws, reach up and grab the regulator, yank it out, and then look at it in a good light and see what it's looking like. If the brushes are worn down to nothing or stuck in their holders, you've found your problem. If not, it was a free diagnostic that took 15 minutes or less, and you can pop it right back in.

They COULD fail in other ways, but this is check #1 for a fast, easy "so that was it!" test.

__________________


~Michael S.~
Past cars:

1986 300SDL
1987 300SDL
1982 240D
1982 300SD


Current:

1987 300SDL