External problems are always a relief even if not cheap.

I'm glad the 603 is otherwise going strong.

gsxr/Dave, good call.

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

Whew! Glad that was it. Yep, that pulley should spin VERY easily, as in you spin it with your fingers and it keeps spinning & spinning for a while. Either get a new/rebuilt as cheap as possible, or take the opportunity to upgrade to a 143A unit like I did on my now-squished OM603. Helps a lot with the overwatt bulbs & stereo system, and the output voltage is nearly 0.5v higher than the wimpy stock setup. You can achieve the same result by installing an adjustable regulator from Transpo on the stock 70A unit, which should help a lot. Let us know how it works out!

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Dave
Boise, ID
Check out my website photos, documents, and movies!

Yah, no kidding!!
But I'd never thought a seized alternator could stall out an engine without either slipping the belt, or breaking it. Wow!

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past MB rides:
'68 220D
'68 220D(another one)
'67 230
'84 SD
Current rides:
'06 Lexus RX330
'93 Ford F-250
'96 Corvette
'99 Polaris 700 RMK sled
2011 Polaris Assault
'86 Yamaha TT350(good 'ol thumper)

Howdy,

That reminds me of a story a friend told me that didn't end so nicely. His buddy has an Isuzu pickup that runs the water pump off the timing chain. Well whatd'ya think happens when the water pump siezes. And it will sieze, heck it's just a water pump. It throws the chain (or belt?) and blows up the engine. VERY BAD DESIGN.

So at least the alternator didn't self destruct the engine.

Sholin

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What else, '73 MB 280 SEL (Lt Blue)
Daily driver: '84 190D 2.2 5 spd.

I suppose there is supposed to be a lesson in here about jumping to conclusions and looking at the darkest side of every problem.
But heck, if I didn't jump to conclusions I wouldn't get any exercise.
But then, maybe there is more to the story yet to come? Oh no...

I find it hard to believe that a sized alternator will not only prevent the engine from running, but prevent it from starting. I would think the belt would just keep slipping on the alt. pulley if it was infact seized. These engines have some toruqe behind them.

happened on my jeep
same suspicion, thankfully just the alt.

Folks,

When my a/c compressor failed... I was coming to an exit ramp off a highway. Came to a stop, I felt the a/c clutch kick in, then the engine stalled. I hit the vent only switch out of a guess, and it started back up. I later tried to turn the a/c compressor, but no go. I let the car idle, turned on the a/c again, stalled the car. I guess you don't get the choice with an alternator. Glad to hear your engine is OK!

Chuck

I had the same kind of close call recently -- got in the 300D, ran the glow plugs and hit the starter, and only got a "thunk" -- dash lights went out.

I could turn the engine, so bought a rebuilt starter, took the old one off (an adventure), and sure enough, it was locked up tight.

As far as the alternator goes, with that serpentine belt, if it locks up you ain't goin anywhere. This is why there is a speed sensor in the AC compressor. If it locks up with the clutch engaged the engine stops.

The alternator in the 220 did something similar -- had a terrible time with belts going bad, though I had a bad mount causing too much slip. Then I couldn't keep the battery charged, so had starting problems, so I took it off, Sure enough, felt like bad bearings -- lots of grinding and knocking sounds. No diodes, either, would only put out 4 amps at 12.5 volts.

Took it down to the local auto electrical shop, they guy looked at it and said "may be expensive, I'll see what I can do". He estimated $65, so I said yes (less than a Bosch rebuilt) -- went back the next day and laid down $90. All I got back was the case! The rotor had swollen (probably due to overheating and corrosion) and was contacting the stator -- much longer and it would have locked up!

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!