SD alternator

[Brian Carlton]

I've got problems to obtain an alternator for the SD (1984).

The catalog shows the same alternator for all W126, 81-85:

http://catalog.peachparts.com/ShopByVehicle.epc?q=&yearid=1984%40%401984&makeid=63%40%40MERCEDES+BENZ%40%40X&modelid=6208%3AED|10000134%3AMBC|1510%40%40300SD&keyword=alternator&subcatid=P:240866@@Alternator&mode=PA

However, the '84 doesn't have the three spade plastic connector. It has a two single lugs, one heavy gauge for power, and one light gauge.

Anybody else find a similar problem?

I wanted to pickup the NAPA alternator with the lifetime warranty, but they have the exact same problem. They show the triple spade connector.

[bustedbenz]

Is it at all possible that your car's wiring was modified to accomodate a non-OEM replacement alternator? If somebody broke the plastic connector off early in the car's life and the best they could do as a repair was to change the wiring setup and use a generic alternator, that might explain it.

[pawoSD]

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

I've got problems to obtain an alternator for the SD (1984).

The catalog shows the same alternator for all W126, 81-85:

http://catalog.peachparts.com/ShopByVehicle.epc?q=&yearid=1984%40%401984&makeid=63%40%40MERCEDES+BENZ%40%40X&modelid=6208%3AED|10000134%3AMBC|1510%40%40300SD&keyword=alternator&subcatid=P:240866@@Alternator&mode=PA

However, the '84 doesn't have the three spade plastic connector. It has a two single lugs, one heavy gauge for power, and one light gauge.

Anybody else find a similar problem?

I wanted to pickup the NAPA alternator with the lifetime warranty, but they have the exact same problem. They show the triple spade connector.

It must have been modified. All 617's had the three spade connector. If you have the lug style alt, I believe the 70 Amp from a 420sel will work....or an 80A from a 1988 saab....that is what I have on mine.

[Brian Carlton]

Originally Posted by bustedbenz

Is it at all possible that your car's wiring was modified to accomodate a non-OEM replacement alternator? If somebody broke the plastic connector off early in the car's life and the best they could do as a repair was to change the wiring setup and use a generic alternator, that might explain it.

Could be.........but, I'm doubting it. The harness looks OE. It has twin power leads that are crimped together at a single eyelet terminal. The power leads go to the junction box terminal.

This alternator has only two attachment points where the alternator in the photo has four spade connectors.

[Brian Carlton]

Originally Posted by pawoSD

It must have been modified. All 617's had the three spade connector. If you have the lug style alt, I believe the 70 Amp from a 420sel will work....

Yep, that is the setup that it appears to have. Unfortunately, no lifetime warranty for this item............so, I'll probably just get this one rebuilt locally.

One year is one year.

[hey_allen]

I'm pretty sure that my SD has an alternator like Brian described as well.

I had to replace it a couple of years ago, but I remember there being a spade connector as well, so I might be mixing it up with my m117 motor...

[mach0415]

I rebuilt mine for a little bit less than Advance wanted for a reman one. I think I had 60 bucks in it. I replaced the regulator and brush ass'y and the bearings. Commutator, rotor, and stator checked out ok. For 40ish more I should have gone for the reman alt, though. Oh well, now I can say been there, done that.

[Rooster300SD]

My alternator died and while reading posts on the subject ran across
this thread. I have a 1984 SD and my alternator has the three spade
connector for the alternator--so Brian's setup was evidently modified.
The 84 is not different from other years.

I looked into Saab alternators as a replacement to get one with a higher amps,
but the ones I saw do not have the spade connector. So it looks like it's either
modify the connection or stick to the 65 amp Bosch for the 81-85 W126s.

Jeff

[vstech]

Originally Posted by Rooster300SD

My alternator died and while reading posts on the subject ran across
this thread. I have a 1984 SD and my alternator has the three spade
connector for the alternator--so Brian's setup was evidently modified.
The 84 is not different from other years.

I looked into Saab alternators as a replacement to get one with a higher amps,
but the ones I saw do not have the spade connector. So it looks like it's either
modify the connection or stick to the 65 amp Bosch for the 81-85 W126s.

Jeff

I pulled the factory harness from a 90 300E 2.6 and it's got the lug wiring like Brian describes. fit perfect into a saab 115 alt, an of course the 90 amp from the 300E

[vstech]

I also noticed the 80 amp alts from similar year gasser cars have the spade connector compatible with 123/126's