I jsut bought an 89 300E and had it looked at by a mechanic who said it needed a new alternator as it was only charging to 11.5 volts. When I took the car back to the dealership for the repair today (they were going to cover it) they instead replaced the regulator (said it was cracked)

My question, could that solve the problem? I know the repair for the reg. was less than half of the price for the alt.
so it has left me with a question in my mind.

Any feedback????

Also, they fixed the tail lights and the car alarm went off when I went to start the car and wouldn't go off until I went and put the key in the door????? what was that???

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proud owner of 300E

mermaid,

The regulator is built into the alternator. Many alternators are replaced every day that could be properly repaired by replacing the alternator alone. You don't need to worry about this one as long as the battery is charging properly.

I have only had the alarm go off on my 300E once or twice. I even forgot that there was an alarm on the car. I think I locked it with the passenger door still open and it took my wife so long to get her purse, get out and shut the door, that it went off. I expect that because the battery had probably been disconnected, the alarm had to reset itself somehow. You may have no more problem with it and you will forget the car has an alarm.

Good luck,

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Larry Bible
'84 Euro 240D, 523K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

The master key arms and disarms the alarm system. You seem to have fallen victim to one of those mysterious sets of circumstances which trips the alarm. The fact that you disabled it with the proper action (key in door) indicates that it's probably OK. As long as it doesn't get weird on you, as Larry said, you'll forget it's there. It's nice to have a dealer fix something w/o soaking you for something you don't really need. (alternator).. Stay with that one for future reference and maintainance.

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Jeff Lawrence
1987 300e
1989 300e
2000 Dodge Grand Caravan SE

the car seems to being doing well and no more alarm going off. I do notice that it still loses a bit of power when i turn on the a/c. It that normal?

I really appreciate all who give their 2 cents.
thanks again


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proud owner of 300E

This is normal. A/C can absorb up to about 25 horsepower at full afterburner.

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Jeff Lawrence
1987 300e
1989 300e
2000 Dodge Grand Caravan SE

[This message has been edited by jeffsr (edited 07-29-2000).]