Wanted to get some opinions from the Forum. Upon starting the TE yesterday, all of the warning lights on the dash came on, dimly. Having had a bad alternator before, I immediately checked the voltage at the battery and found 11.2 volts. I shut the car off and tested it at the battery again, which registered 12.3 volts. Clearly the alternator's not doing much, if anything. I then pulled the plug off of the alternator, and found it to be a bit corroded. I gave it a quick cleaning, coated it in electrically-conductive grease, then re-inserted it. Fired the car up, and I saw 13+ volts at the battery.

However, when I turned on a few accessories (A/C, lights) the voltage dropped (again, measured at the battery) to about 12 volts, at idle. Shouldn't the alternator still be putting out some power at this point? Plus, I think I hear some noise coming from the alternator, and a new smell is coming up from under he hood.

FWIW the current alternator is 4 yrs/50k miles old, and is a Bosch reman. Presuming it's giving me a warning before it dies outright, I think I'm going to replace it. I'd like recomendations as to a higher-output unit (not the huge 143 amp unit though) that'll bolt right up - perhaps from a ;94-'95 E320? Any ideas?

Thanks in advance, guys

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"If God had meant for us to walk, why did he give us feet that fit car pedals?" Sir Sterling Moss

Michael
2014 E63S Estate
2006 SLK55
1995 E500
1986 Porsche 944 turbo