My 1985 300D (Cali. version) has a charging problem, but what I do not understand is how it affects the car. Not only is the alternator light lit, but also the brake light, brake wear light, and the fuel reserve light. When you start the car all of these lights are on. As you rev up the engine they will fade down. Once in a while all of the lights will go out as if it is charging. If the alternator has a problem why are these other lights lit?
I purchased this car from a friend and he had installed a rebuild alternator. I am wondering if the problem may be a connection or the regulator on the alternator.
Any thoughts?

Check the ground connections... All those lights on is a typical symptom of bad grounds.

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In addition to the ground connections (and remember the big one under the car, connecting the engine to the chassis), the 1985 CA model has an overvoltage protection relay that earlier models lack -- it was installed as part of the emissions control system beginning 1984. The OVP relay is probably in the dash, behind the instrument cluster, and so would not ordinarily be disturbed during alternator replacement. Failure of the OVP relay might also cause your problem.

Jeremy

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"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
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Lights come on when the alternator is DOA . Check your charging system. I replaced my alternator, and voila everything was back to normal when installed..

pull your voltage regulator and check the brushes and connections, sounds like it may be going bad

I have started to remove the alternator. I have an alternator from a parts car that I want to try. This 300D is a 'Cally' version. The alternator has a plate/shield on the back. Does anyone else with a 'Cally' version have this? Anyone know its purpose?

The plate is probably a heat shield to protect it from the oxidizing catalyst.

__________________
DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

My California wagon has a shield on the back of the alternator. I had charging problems when I first purchased the car. The brushes were shot but when I replaced them that did not entirely get rid of the problem. A local shop found one of the wires to alternator was cracked and intermittently losing contact. They spliced it and I have not had a charging problem since.