Fellas,
Alternator was diangosed at putting out 75 amps on the E300DT. Thus, I have to replace my alternator. It's way too cold and I'm not in a position where I can use a heated garage right now. My indy quoted me a total of $702 for replacement.
-$576.10 for OEM alternator
-$126 for labor

What do you guys think about the pricing?

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Ed
-1984 Mercedes 190D 2.2 5-speed gray market(bought@30,000 miles) (Sold back to original owner@170,000 miles)
-1999 Mercedes E300DT (200,000 miles)
-1999 Mercedes S500 Grand Edition (67,000 miles)

Price for labor sounds great.

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92 300D 2.5L OM602 OBK #59

Would your indy be willing to install an alternator that you provided? Also, what's wrong with 75 Amps and could the problem be in the regulator, which is easier/cheaper to replace?

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"Buster" in the '95

Our all-biodiesel family
1995 E300D (W124) 201,000 miles My car
1996 E300D (W210) 289,000 miles Wife's car

"Politicians are the same all over the world;
we build bridges where there aren't any rivers."
-- Nikita S. Khrushchev

-Never thought of the regulator. Pardon my ignorance, but where is the regulator located?
-The problem with the 75 amps is I believe its supposed to generate 115 amps.
-This indy would not allow me to use parts I bring in.
Here's how it all started: I was running errands yesterday and the first sign of this problem started with a "Battery Charge" error light. I didn't notice a problem in the car starting or any accessories running like my radio, heater, etc. all day. Then last night, I got into my car and it started normally. After about 30 seconds of driving my display dimmed, headlights shut off, market lights shut off, and my transmission wouldn't shift up from 1st gear. I pulled off and was getting all sorts of error messages like "Battery Charge", BAS, Antilock Brakes, etc. My hardwired Valentine 1 even shut off.

__________________
Ed
-1984 Mercedes 190D 2.2 5-speed gray market(bought@30,000 miles) (Sold back to original owner@170,000 miles)
-1999 Mercedes E300DT (200,000 miles)
-1999 Mercedes S500 Grand Edition (67,000 miles)

Yeah, I get the same response from my indy. He says the labor charge pays for him and the markup on the parts pays for the shop (rent, etc.).

The regulator should be built into the back of the alternator and comes out with two screws. It is a small package that includes the brushes that take the generated current off of the alternator and the electronics that regulate the voltage for the car's circuits.

Your '99 should have an alternator similar to my '96 but perhaps larger because you have more electric stuff. The regulator is only about $50 or perhaps $100 retail and 15 minutes work. Worn brushes could be one source of the symptoms you are seeing.

The mechanic wants to replace the entire alternator because there's more in it for him (more markup and more labor). Perhaps you should try someplace else. If possible, keep the battery on a trickle charger so that you can drive the car until the problem is sorted out and minimize electrical use (hard at this time of year, I know).

Even if the regulator is not the problem, keep and use the new one and put the old one away as a spare. If you do end up replacing the entire alternator, put the old regulator back when you return the core.

Jeremy

__________________

"Buster" in the '95

Our all-biodiesel family
1995 E300D (W124) 201,000 miles My car
1996 E300D (W210) 289,000 miles Wife's car

"Politicians are the same all over the world;
we build bridges where there aren't any rivers."
-- Nikita S. Khrushchev

Good points and thanks for the suggestions Jeremy. Unfortunately, the battery is totally drained and it would be a pain in the neck to tow it from the shop its at. I had it towed there last night because the car was inoperable. I think I'm just going to bite the bullet and have them do the work out of sheer convenience.

__________________
Ed
-1984 Mercedes 190D 2.2 5-speed gray market(bought@30,000 miles) (Sold back to original owner@170,000 miles)
-1999 Mercedes E300DT (200,000 miles)
-1999 Mercedes S500 Grand Edition (67,000 miles)

1996s came with Bosch and Valero (French) alternators. Do not know about 1999s. The easy to change reguator/brushes are on the Bosch.

If it is a Bosch consider having the shop just change the reg/brush unit. Retail parts and labor should be under $175.

Alternatively, ask him to send your alternator out to be rebuilt, Cost $200 or less.