Is it the Battery or the alternator?? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

mgburg · #16 02-25-2007, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arthur Dalton

Did the guy at BatteryMart ask you if you wanted fries with 'dat ????

Nope. As a matter of fact (to his credit), he popped both terminals, burnished the posts and insides of the clamps, re-attached and sprayed them. N/C! I left him a Lincoln, on his cart. I'm sure he figured out where that came from.

I just have to, anonomously, let him know that if he'd popped the caps like I, evenually, did, the problem would have been solved.

We talked batteries for a few minutes - he said that he sees more "bad" High-CCA batteries (greater than 900 CCA) coming back long before the warranties expire. Most of the problems are due to too-tight packing of the plates in the cells - they short out 'cause the insulating material and spacing isn't enough for the compact areas where the plates and material are stuffed.

Anyways, he said the battery should be fine - now, all I have to do is check the oil, fill the gas and check my cells...

Happy motoring!

Arthur Dalton · #17 02-25-2007, 05:08 PM

>>I just have to, anonomously, let him know that if he'd popped the caps like I, evenually, did, the problem would have been solved.
>>

The FIRST thing any good tech with a battery complaint would do on checking a battery with fill caps is to see if they are full..

mgburg · #18 02-28-2007, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arthur Dalton

The FIRST thing any good tech with a battery complaint would do on checking a battery with fill caps is to see if they are full..

Agreed!

I'm just happy that we didn't go the route of "Open Wallet, Insert Hand, Remove Large Sums of Cash/Plastic - Good Luck on Having Problem Fixed!"

And, it would have been fixed...take a battery will low fluid and $XX.00 amount of dollars later, replace it with a battery with full fluids.

At least he was honest. Not thorough, but honest.

Arthur Dalton · #19 02-28-2007, 10:26 PM

< >>

Yeah. I hear ya.

How many people get a new alternator b/c a loose fan belt was over-looked is amazing...and , as you say , musta been the alternator cuz the problem went away after it was changed...of course we know that in the process of changing it, the belt got tightened back up...too !!
..and if the guy ask if you have a credit card and you say YES, then you get the new battery to go along with the new alternator cuz he knows you got enough funds available..............and he just happens to have one in stock.

dquance · #20 03-14-2007, 03:06 AM

If you found some cells dry in the battery, I would suggest you keep an eye on the cells. If they continue to dry out, you may have an overcharging condition from a defective regulator.

Doug Quance
74 280C

pxland · #21 03-20-2007, 07:26 AM

If you ever do need to tell whether it is the battery or the alternator just pull the negative cable while the car is running.

If it dies you need an alternator.

If it doesn't you need a battery.

So long as you ruled out all of the cable problems previously mentioned.

Mike D · #22 03-20-2007, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pxland

If you ever do need to tell whether it is the battery or the alternator just pull the negative cable while the car is running.

Unless of course you have electronic ignition, electronic fuel injection or an electric fuel pump installed.

Any of those conditions MAY pull too much power for a standard alternator at an idle. Not always but keep it in mind when diagnosing using this method.

pxland · #23 03-20-2007, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike D

Unless of course you have electronic ignition, electronic fuel injection or an electric fuel pump installed.

Any of those conditions MAY pull too much power for a standard alternator at an idle. Not always but keep it in mind when diagnosing using this method.

The method hasn't ever failed me.