So, my wife is driving our 300d back from the beach at night, and the lights start fading, eventually to nothing. Then she stopped, and the car wouldn't start. I came and jumped the car, it started right up and the lights worked, but , slowly died back to nothing, over 5-10 min. Alternator trouble? Any experience with this sort of issue?
thanks,
Mike

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1982 300D, up to 152K
1990 Dodge W350 cummins diesel, 135k

More than likely: Voltage Regulator. $25, screws into the back of the alternator.

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1989 300E 144K

Second most likely, your alternator is dead.

After you replace it, depending on the age of your battery and how many times it's been full discharged before, you may want to consider replacing it too. Batteries (average ones anyway) can't stand to be full drained (leave your lights on overnight, etc) more than once or twice before they start giving you cold weather "not holding charge" problems.

Hope it's your regulator

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~Michael S.~
Past cars:

1986 300SDL
1987 300SDL
1982 240D
1982 300SD


Current:

1987 300SDL

Check the water in your battery. It can not hold a charge if it is low no matter what your alternator is doing.

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Dave
1983 300D Daily Driver

well, I'll probably replace the battery, as the 2nd time I jumped the car, at 2AM, I "crossed streams" and melted the plastic on my cables. thanks for the advice... I'll try #1, then, lord help me, #2.
thanks again,
Mike

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1982 300D, up to 152K
1990 Dodge W350 cummins diesel, 135k