THe new (Fastlane-BOSCH) alternator FIXED the overvoltage problem
HOWEVER, i am still back to square one...that is that the car becomes discahrged after several weeks of running around town...it's as if the alternator isn't really getting any current over to the battery.
I've had essentially everything changed form teh battery to the alternator. (NEW DIEHARD). No shorts that I can find, ground posts to the body checked and in good shape. I did a test light between the ground terminal and the body when everything's off and I don't see a current leak.
Here's what I think is wrong. It seems the old alternator had a ??Capactior or diode on the back of the alternator. STRANGELY enough, the other 300SD (1984 CA) does NOT have this diode...which leads me to believe that it probably doesn't ?? belong there: (maybe it came from an aftermarket alternator?? as the new BOSCH rebuilt I just installed didn't have it.
Removing it seems to have given me MUCH better charging voltages (13 idle 13.5-13.8 at 2500 RPM).
DUring warmup, I get about 12Volts for the first two minutes (I think this is still the newer glow plug relay that i have glowing and then it cuts out) adn then I'm up to 13-13.5.
QUESTION: Is the part below SUPPOSED to be there on a 300SD alternator? (The other car has done well for years without it).
If so, could a DEFECTIVE one be the root cause of my poor charging voltage?? WIll removing it cause damage to the car, or does the alternator have the equivalent on the inside of it already?
Here is picture of it below: BERU 0310034062 2.3 uF 110V 100 C
