My Battery indicator came on a few days ago. The brake wear indicator also began to glow at the same time. I put a volt meter on the electrical system and the voltage varied from around 12.8 to 17.1 . That seems a bit high. Today it wouldn't spin the engine fast enough to start; voltage while cranking fell below 9 in just a second or two. I borrowed a battery from one of my other vehicles to be able to keep driving.
Car is '82 240D 55Amp Alt.
Alternator is 6 months old ( I lost the receipt so no warranty)
My questions:
Is the internal regulator availible? at what cost?
Best source for good alternators?
Will this battery die also? ( The old battery did not show bulging of its sides), How quickly?

Mike,

The voltage regulator is available separate from the alternator. It can be accessed from the back, and is actually a combination of the voltage regulator and the contact brush assembly. I think I paid $50 from Kragen for mine, and it's still working happily a year and a half later... There are people who've successfully just replaced the contact brushes, but with the alternator being that new, I have trouble believing that they're bad...

Hope that helps some...good luck!

Depending on where you bought it, they may keep records on the transaction. If you look around you can find the regulator for around $20.

Don

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1980 300TD-T (82 Turbo and Trans) 159,000 Miles "Jackie-O"
1983 300SD 272,000 Miles "Aristotle"
1987 Jeep Wagoneer Limited - keeps the MB's off the ice and out of the snow
1994 BMW 530it