300E died

[cmcdonnell]

I was driving in downtown Ft. Lauderdale in the rain, headlights on, wipers on intermittent, when I went to toot the horn and had only the faint sound of one horn. Turned the corner, went over the drawbridge, and the ABS light came on, followed shortly by the SRS light, and then it just died. Automatically I thought it must be the KE Jetronic external defribulator compensator or the circuit board in the ex-quoofiator! Honestly I didn't know what to think with my limited knowledge of this car. Waited for a flatbed for two hours that didn't arrive, so pushed it to a parking spot and took a cab home. I was able to find out what the problem was by searching this forum. Charging system! duh.
I jumped the car and it only made it a few blocks. Jumped it again for a long while and made it to a friend's driveway in town, and pulled the battery out to charge it. The battery was on a 10a charge and it got real hot. I let it cool off and put it back in the car and it was dead. Pulled the voltage regulator and am not really sure, but the brushes are worn unevenly Waiting for UPS to bring the new voltage regulator now. Bought a new Bosch battery. I guess I need a voltage meter?

[brewtoo]

With your new battery, and the real root of the problem, the voltage regulator/brushes, you will be on your way.

[cmcdonnell]

Wow, vive la difference of the old brushes and the new! I am going to go get a voltmeter to make sure the battery is charging. Also, in the second pic, there is asensor on the A/C drier that has an unconnected lead. I connected this just before the trouble began. Anyone know what it is for? Aux fan?

[brewtoo]

That AC lead is for the electric AUX fans. They come on as the refigerant pressure (temperature) rises.