My diesel got me home, despite electrical failure

[deniss]

I was returning from Virginia Beach to New Jersey with 3 people in the car and a full load of bags/suitcases, when just around the Virginia-Maryland line the electrical equipment started failing. First was the heat - the ACC was unresponsive to the thermostat. Next, the gauges started dying slowly. Then my seatback started moving randomly. Then I found that none of my exterior lights were working. I checked under the hood - the car was running fine, the belts were all in place.

I thought about this as I was driving without any electrical equipment and concluded that this car really only needs a battery to start but doesnt *need* it to keep running! I made sure I didn't turn off the engine at any stops and was able to cross 300 miles of roadway and get safely home. It was quite the trip, especially with the heat coming out of the windshield vents, since the monovalve couldn't be controlled either.

I'm sure it's an alternator failure, as when I got my car home, I bought a new battery, hooked it up, and the car started with a "+ -" red light lit on the gauge panel. I decided to let a mechanic deal with this, since I'm quite busy right now, but I sure am grateful I was driving my 300SD and not some gasser when the alternator (or, that's my guess) failed because I was actually able to get home

[Brian Carlton]

BTDT.

I left the SD running on the ferry to CT because I was sure that it would not start.

When the stereo head unit fails to operate........you can bet that you're very low on voltage.........

Only problem with such a scenario is when it occurs at night. Driving without any headlights or taillights is not the best situation............

[deniss]

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

BTDT.

I left the SD running on the ferry to CT because I was sure that it would not start.

When the stereo head unit fails to operate........you can bet that you're very low on voltage.........

Only problem with such a scenario is when it occurs at night. Driving without any headlights or taillights is not the best situation............

Definitely not. I knew I had enough daylight to get home - I wouldn't have driven the car in the dark. But I was also fortunate it didnt rain because the wipers were out as well! Curiously enough, the only gauge that remained reasonably faithful despite loss of electrical power was the oil pressure gauge!

[toomany MBZ]

Originally Posted by deniss

Curiously enough, the only gauge that remained reasonably faithful despite loss of electrical power was the oil pressure gauge!

Love those mechanical gauges!

[jdc1244]

The alt belt broke on the 300 D on the way home from work one day; not as dramatic but I was ready to get home, glad I could.

[Brian Carlton]

Originally Posted by toomany MBZ

Love those mechanical gauges!

........true, but the SD's is electrical.......

I once drove mine from the middle of IA to denver with the alternator dead (in daylight). I got the battery charged before I left and kept it running the whole time.

[E320wagon'94]

My alternator died one night when I was teaching my girlfriend to drive. I told her if you can make it home, you pass my test. Luckily we made it home without a problem. I was surprised that it kept going but then remembered, no spark+no problem.
-Zach