Sometimes it charges, sometimes it doesn't. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

funola · #1 03-29-2011, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cirrusman

Holy Cow! Is that normal? Why would it draw all that amperage for so long? But at any rate, there's something wrong with mine... nobody else complains of that symptom. If it's not normal, how do I stop it from doing it? If it is normal, what do I do?

3 minutes of glow time is not normal. I had to deal with an intemittent charge issue for about a year. I replaced the voltage regulator which worked for a while, then it would charge intermittently again, then I found the 3 pin harneed connector where the spades was loose and not making good contact. I always wanted a higher amperage alternator so bought a new one for $100 and have been trouble free knock on wood since.

Pull out your 3 prong connector and stick a single spade in each of the connections and if any feels loose, there's your problem!

vstech · #2 03-29-2011, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funola

3 minutes of glow time is not normal. I had to deal with an intemittent charge issue for about a year. I replaced the voltage regulator which worked for a while, then it would charge intermittently again, then I found the 3 pin harneed connector where the spades was loose and not making good contact. I always wanted a higher amperage alternator so bought a new one for $100 and have been trouble free knock on wood since.

Pull out your 3 prong connector and stick a single spade in each of the connections and if any feels loose, there's your problem!

3 minutes of glow time IS totally normal for SOME of the controllers.

they are called afterglow, and they do indeed hold the plugs in for up to 3 minutes to aid in smooth idle at cold engine temps.

funola · #3 03-29-2011, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

3 minutes of glow time IS totally normal for SOME of the controllers.

they are called afterglow, and they do indeed hold the plugs in for up to 3 minutes to aid in smooth idle at cold engine temps.

3 minutes is a long time! Are these afterglow relays Mercedes OEM or aftermarket? If an engine needs the glow plugs to be on for 3 minutes to stay running smooth, I'd think something is seriously wrong with it.

cirrusman · #4 03-29-2011, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funola

3 minutes of glow time is not normal. I had to deal with an intemittent charge issue for about a year. I replaced the voltage regulator which worked for a while, then it would charge intermittently again, then I found the 3 pin harneed connector where the spades was loose and not making good contact. I always wanted a higher amperage alternator so bought a new one for $100 and have been trouble free knock on wood since.

Pull out your 3 prong connector and stick a single spade in each of the connections and if any feels loose, there's your problem!

That sounds reasonable... I'll check the alt. It's new, but I thing it's Chop-Suey-made, so it wouldn't surprise me if it had loose connectors already. I didn't know that the plugs would pull amperage for that long, but if it's normal then there's something wrong with mine since it draws too much current to the point of draining the battery completely after a couple days... I'll check and report.