Thanks for all of the help on my charging system problems. Finally got it fixed yesterday by replacing my new rebuilt alternator. For others that may experience charging problems, here are some lessons learned.

1. Just because it's newly remanufactured alternator, doesn't mean it works.
2. No battery light, and no brake pad light means bad alternator.
3. When you hear hoof beats, think horses are coming not zebras... The most obvious symptom I had was a bad alternator, I refused to believe it until I pulled it and had it checked.
4. Folks in this forum are great, listen to what they have to tell you.

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1989 300E
103,500 miles

1982 300SD
Sold but not forgotten

Great to see someone let us know what the answer to a problem was! So many threads just end with no results given,so the group does not learn from them.
Thanks Don

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Red Green "This is only temporary,Unless it works!"

97 E300D 157000 miles
87 300TD ?141k? miles

It's not uncommon for a reman not to work -- especially, it seems, from Advantage or Autozone -- they're the cheapest, so their rebuilders have to charge less .....

I still buy from them, tho -- 'cause they give a lifetime warranty.

Maybe we should get in the habit of asking them to check it before we take it out the door -- can they do that?

Another good way to go is to use a local rebuild shop -- they always check their work. It generally takes them 1 or 2 days. I have been able to drop it off on the way to work, pick it up before closing.