Alternator arrived at my door yesterday. Looks like the correct one, but I do not see any indication of a regulator, unless it's internally mounted inside the case.

I hope I didn't screw up.

Friend with the digi-cam is back from vacation, so I will borrow it this week to take pics of the alternator renewal process. Don't know how to post them here, but first things first...get the W124 back on line!!!

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

A plug with three wires, a ground strap, and the battery line connection, right?

If so, internal regulator (what you plug the three slot plug into). If not, it's external like my 220D, but I'd be surprised. Dome diesel models have an overvoltage control relay that can play merry hell with the tach, etc (tach is driven off the alternator, I think, like the Volvo).

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!

Actually, there are only two wires...a small one and a larger one. I kinda expected to see bigger wires considering its function.

Phil at FastLane verified that the unit he sent me has an internal regulator. After finally getting the old one out, I could compare them and verify that I have the correct unit.

The picture in the Haynes manual shows a compact alternator with a regulator mounted on the back of the case. So I got nervous when I compared the pic with the one that showed up at my door.

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

The Haynes manuals are generally OK, but once in a while use "generic" photos or descriptions, so you may have been looking at a Chrysler or Peugot or whatever) alternator......! Haynes is English, so you may be seeing parts used only in Europe on base models not available here.

I've seen GM heads and engine parts in the MB manual from other publishers....

No one has used external regulators for years -- the voltage regulator works better in direct contact, and it allows you to replace it (and the brushes) very easily. Bosch is usually held in by two small screws in the hole where the plug goes.

All my old Benzes have a ground strap, but that is because the alternator mount has rubber in it. I think the newer ones all mount directly to the block and have a serpentine belt.

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!

One thing's for sure...that 22mm bolt holding the pulley onto the alternator is torque'd down like a mutha! I can't get the damn thing off, so I'm heading to a shop tomorrow and let them work the nut off with an impact wrench and swap the pulley onto the new alternator.

Now I'm not so sure this was such a DIY job after all!!!

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

hehe I had to have that done once when swapping the alternator on one of my other cars...

I still did the work myself, I just didn't pull the pulley off and swap it...

Alon

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'92 300CE - Sold
2004 C240 - 744 - C7 Wheels - Android Radio
2002 C320 - 816 - Sport Wagon