The charging system on my 250 didn't work quite right when I bought the car, but it managed to get along well enough until I had to drive it all the way to Reno with the lights on, after which the charging system gave up the ghost.

This Saturday, I pulled the alternator and found that none of the parts stores in Carson City can test that particular ancient Bosch alternator. I was told that Valley Wagon, a German-car shop and parts seller, might be able to do it.

So today, I went there and found that they don't have a bench-test machine, and that their in-car alternator testing costs the same as a new voltage regulator. However, the very patient guy at the counter suggested that I should check my grounding straps before I bought any parts, with the voltage regulator being the next most likely culprit.

I went home and went to check the ground straps on the engine, and rapidly discovered a broken wire on the D+ connection at the alternator harness. I went to Kragen and bought a few connectors and a bit of 16 Ga wire, repaired the connection and slapped it back together. Result: 13 and some change volts at idle and 14.6 with the motor revved up. Score one for Skippy!

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

I love .30 cent repairs : )

So nice to read a complaint, cause and correction for a change!! restores my faith in web posters.

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81 300CD (sold) 1972 280 SEL 4.5 (sold) 1966 250 S 4 spd (sold) 1974 450 SL (sold) 86 BMW 325ES (sold), 1973 280C (sold) 1988 300 SE.

I hate how the solution is sometimes as small as a ground wire, especially after wasting a day driving around trying to find somewhere to test a part. Oh well, the only things that matters is that it is working now!

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W210 1996 E300 - Daily
W126 1981 300SD - Nice weather
W111 1966 230S - Weddingmobile
AVPCAR 1999 Honda Si - Drag/Showcar
W111 1968 230S - Parts car