Hello,

I've recently had a problem with my 300SDL and I really would like to get some advise ASAP if I may because I'd like to first get some input before I listen to all these local know-it-all shops ($$$$).

I recently was having problems starting my car (battery dead). It was an MBZ battery from year 99 so I did not think it should be dead. But nevertheless the headlights were dim and the power windows were working slowly, so the battery was replaced with brand new.

Not even two weeks later, I came home and noticed the lights looked very dim on the garage door in front of me. When I went to roll up the windows, they were going slowly. I thought, oh no, not again. Sho nuff, when I turned it off and tried to start it, cranked once VERY slowly then nothing -- DEAD again.

Now I think that the alternator is bad but I am very ignorant as to the electrical system and am hoping someone will shed some light on this issue for me.

IF I am having trouble, is it necessarily the alternator? I searched and searched trying to find some light at the end of the tunnel and it seemed that some were saying that perhaps it was only the brushes or voltage regulator that was bad, and in fact the alternator would still be in working condition? Is this correct?

I would have NO way of changing the brushes by themselves since I do not have a soldering iron or anything like that but what about the voltage regulator? Does this include brushes? Would this be possible for someone with limited knowledge to do?

I am pretty desperate to find out what is wrong since my car is effectively inoperable (I can start it with the charger pack and maybe even by itself after it has sat for a while -- but if I start it and then turn it off and start it again, it is surely dead). Thanks for any opinions or input you can offer. All the mechanics around here (SF Bay area), at least locally, are anxious to change the alternator and charge retail price plus tons of labor, etc., etc. and I would really like to first make sure that the alternator really DOES (or does not) need changing before I would proceed.


Thanks
Larry Ferguson
1986 300SDL 163K mi