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  #1  
Old 09-02-2010, 12:37 PM
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Just got 3 warning lights

I was driving along and saw a flicker of red lights on the cluster which quickly changed to constantly on. They're the battery, brake which are red and the amber light between the reds. Pulled over at a convenient spot checked voltage 12.5 so not charging. Brake fluid ok. If not charging I would have expected just the battery light, not all 3!

I have another 40 minutes to go and should be able to make it . Hope it's just regulator brushes.

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  #2  
Old 09-02-2010, 01:03 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by funola View Post
I was driving along and saw a flicker of red lights on the cluster which quickly changed to constantly on. They're the battery, brake which are red and the amber light between the reds. Pulled over at a convenient spot checked voltage 12.5 so not charging. Brake fluid ok. If not charging I would have expected just the battery light, not all 3!

I have another 40 minutes to go and should be able to make it . Hope it's just regulator brushes.

hopefully you still have power steering, when this happened to me the harmonic balancer pully was loose and tore up the crankshaft nose.
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  #3  
Old 09-02-2010, 01:05 PM
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I had the same issue when the alternator plug / harness came loose.
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  #4  
Old 09-02-2010, 01:08 PM
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Its either the alternator itself or the voltage regulator/brushes. You'd be having far worse issues if the pulley had come loose. (overheating, no power steering, etc...)
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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)
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  #5  
Old 09-02-2010, 01:26 PM
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I agree with pawosd, it's probably the regulator, which is both an easy and cheap fix.
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1983 Mercedes Benz 300SD - Wife calls him "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang"
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1983 Toyota Tercel (Tommy, The little Toyota that could)
1965 Ford F100 (Grandma Ford)
2005 Toyota Sienna (Elsa, Wife's ride)


Gone:
1988 Toyota Pickup
2004 Subaru Outback

1987 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham
1986 Volvo 740 GL Station Wagon - Piece of junk.
1981 Volvo 242 DL 2 Door - Hated to see it go. R.I.P.
1987 Pontiac Fiero GT
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  #6  
Old 09-02-2010, 01:36 PM
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funky things happen when voltage goes too low. Verify you dont have a shorted cell in the battery, as it can bring out funky things.
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Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)
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  #7  
Old 09-02-2010, 01:49 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JHZR2 View Post
funky things happen when voltage goes too low. Verify you dont have a shorted cell in the battery, as it can bring out funky things.
How is this done?
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  #8  
Old 09-02-2010, 01:57 PM
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First check battery voltage with a multimeter, should be > 13V.

Then turn car off, but turn headlights on for 30 seconds or so to remove surface charge. Battery should be 12.5-12.7V.

If you are <10V, you likely have a shorted cell. If you are below 12V you have a flat battery.
__________________
Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)
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  #9  
Old 09-02-2010, 04:56 PM
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Back in business! Took connector off alternator and cleaned contacts which was pretty corroded. Took out regulator which was a pita. The hard to get to screw (AC service port in the way) head snapped off. Couldn't get the screw stud off with vise grip & penetrating oil so left it instead of breaking it off. Brushes were not that worn but I put another (used one) with longer brushes in with just one screw + the broken head stud, which happens to be an electrical connection. Cleaned the contacts of the stud and put 2 stainless star lock washers on it to help it make a good connection.
Also tightened the alt belts that are a bit loose (new belts were put in about a month ago and stretched). It is charging at 14.8 v when I rev the engine, 0.5 V higher than before. The regulator is also a Bosch but not for the Mercedes, says 14V on it but charges higher. Since I changed 3 things I am not sure if it's the connector or the regulator that was bad. I will put an ohmmeter on the regulator and see if I find any obvious shorts or opens compared to a good regulator.
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85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked
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  #10  
Old 09-02-2010, 05:31 PM
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Hm, I'm having charge problems myself and I was thinking on replacing or rebuilding my alternator, but I think I'll check the connections first... Thanks for posting this!
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[/SIGPIC]~cirrusman

1983 Mercedes Benz 300SD - Wife calls him "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang"
[SIGPIC]




1983 Toyota Tercel (Tommy, The little Toyota that could)
1965 Ford F100 (Grandma Ford)
2005 Toyota Sienna (Elsa, Wife's ride)


Gone:
1988 Toyota Pickup
2004 Subaru Outback

1987 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham
1986 Volvo 740 GL Station Wagon - Piece of junk.
1981 Volvo 242 DL 2 Door - Hated to see it go. R.I.P.
1987 Pontiac Fiero GT
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  #11  
Old 09-04-2010, 12:09 PM
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Location: New Jersey
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Wow, 14.8v I'd love to be getting ghat from my w123 alternators...
__________________
Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)
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  #12  
Old 09-04-2010, 02:56 PM
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Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 15,438
14.8 is a bit high IMHO. My 80 Amp SAAB alternator charges around 14.2 Max, 14ish at idle.
__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)
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  #13  
Old 09-04-2010, 04:22 PM
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I saw 14.8 only once, when the engine was first started after the repairs were made to the alternator. Subsequent measurements were 14.3 max.
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85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked
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  #14  
Old 09-04-2010, 05:05 PM
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Keep a Weather Eye on that ALT

Anything over 14.5 volts can "Overcharge" (pronounced COOK) the Battery.
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  #15  
Old 11-10-2010, 08:47 PM
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My regulator has been charging too high lately (again). I've seen as high as 15.8 V. Didn't want to fry the battery so took the regulator out again and cleaned off the black gunk that's all over the regulator with a wire brush and solvent, then soldered on a ground wire so that it can be grounded by the other mounting screw. It seems to be charging in the correct range now, between 13.4 to 14.4 V.

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85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked
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