I have not been driving my car that often lately, since I'm able to work from my home office now. I save on fuel costs for sure, but as a result the battery (which was already aging) got really week and died after a couple of months of Hansi just sitting around. JI just replaced the dead battery with a new Duralast one from AutoZone (1000 CA - 8 year warranty). The car started up immediately so that's a good sign.

What I'm wondering, is: should I also look into rebuilding the Alternator as a bit of prevention... so a couple of questions:

1) How to troubleshoot the alternator to see if it is working ok, or if it's on its way out.

2) How difficult of a job is it to service the alternator brushes (I'm assuming that's the bulk of the job). Is it possible to do it WITHOUT loosening up the alternator adjustment screw?! I have had my share of problems with that during the belt replacement project last summer...

Thanks in advance -
James

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1987 Mercedes 300SDL; SOLD
1985 Mercedes 300D; SOLD
2006 Honda Pilot - wife's ride; 122K;
1995 Toyota Land Cruiser - 3X locked; 182K

You should not have to rebuild your alternator, or rather "rebuilding" is simply a matter of replacing the regulator. This can be done without removing the alternator from the engine. The regulator assembly includes the brushes. You can get a new one for about $40. Put in the new one, keep the old one as an emergency spare when you travel. It's small enough to keep in your pocket.

The only other thing you might want to think about is to install a trickle charger. Having a warm and fully charged battery is especially nice in cold weather. There are numerous models available that fit into the engine compartment; all you have to do is to wire it to the battery and let the power cord hang where you can get at it, like a block heater cord, without popping the hood. Plug into an extension cord and the battery stays in good shape. Prices range from $15 to $40; I got one for each of my cars on sale at Harbor Freight for $10 each. If the car has to be parked on the street, you'll have to take a chance of your cord being stolen or damaged, or move the car closer to a plug every once in a while.

Jeremy


Jeremy

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"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

Northern tool sells a dashboard solar trickle charger... pluggs into cig lighter... you would need a clip to attach to always on power, but no need to plug it in, just park it in the sun.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Is there a link to a 'how-to' that someone may recommend or give some hints how to best get to the regulator on '85 300DT?

__________________
1987 Mercedes 300SDL; SOLD
1985 Mercedes 300D; SOLD
2006 Honda Pilot - wife's ride; 122K;
1995 Toyota Land Cruiser - 3X locked; 182K

^^on the back of the alt is a voltage regulator, remove the 2 screws and pull it out. Take the new one and slide it in and install the 2 screws. Easy as 1-2-3

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1985 300TD Turbo Euro-wagon
1979 280CE 225,200 miles
1985 300D Turbo 264,000 miles
1976 240D 190,000 miles
1979 300TD 220,000

GONE but not forgotten
1976 300D 195,300 miles
1983 300D Turbo 175,000 miles

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...e485-1-2-1.jpg

http://dieselgiant.com/mercedesvoltageregulatorinstall.htm

__________________
1985 300TD Turbo Euro-wagon
1979 280CE 225,200 miles
1985 300D Turbo 264,000 miles
1976 240D 190,000 miles
1979 300TD 220,000

GONE but not forgotten
1976 300D 195,300 miles
1983 300D Turbo 175,000 miles

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...e485-1-2-1.jpg

Will his A/C hose/s be in the way of removing the voltage regulator? I believe I had to loosen my belt and move the alternator towards the engine to get enough room to remove mine.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

I don't think he will have any trouble removing the regulator while the alt is still in place.

__________________
1985 300TD Turbo Euro-wagon
1979 280CE 225,200 miles
1985 300D Turbo 264,000 miles
1976 240D 190,000 miles
1979 300TD 220,000

GONE but not forgotten
1976 300D 195,300 miles
1983 300D Turbo 175,000 miles

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...e485-1-2-1.jpg