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#1
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Alternator going intermittently?
So driving my daughter to her gym class tonight I noticed my radio kept turning off and on. Loose connection? Nope, low voltage, I'm sure of it. Next thing I notice that that pressing the brake was making the dash lights dim. Not good. I had one stop to make and of course after that, it wouldn't start.
A friend happened to be near by and gave me a jump start. Anyway, another 10 miles to home, and it actually did seem to be charging. I turned the car off and tried and it would start easily. When I've had an alternator go in other cars, it isn't an intermittent kind of thing. It just goes bye-bye. So, maybe just a graceful exit my MB 300d, and I should take it to the shop ASAP for a replacement? Thanks, Chuck
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1982 300D, anthracite grey, 260k miles, Greasecar 1999 E300D, black, 160k miles, Greasecar 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid http://www.chuckwyatt.com http://www.wordimpressive.com |
#2
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You can have the alternator and battery checked at you local auto parts store before you replace anything. However, check the simple stuff first; loose battery connections and loose ground cables from both the battery and engine.
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#3
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Yeah, that's a good call. In the lot, while jump starting, I did check those things and they seem tight, but may be worth double-checking. These engines vibrate enough at idle to jiggle anything loose.
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1982 300D, anthracite grey, 260k miles, Greasecar 1999 E300D, black, 160k miles, Greasecar 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid http://www.chuckwyatt.com http://www.wordimpressive.com |
#4
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If it's not obvious, go to the local "autozone" type place and ask them to check the battery/alternator, it takes about 5 minutes and it's free.
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#5
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Check for corrosion both on and between the voltage regulator and alternator housing. This, recently, was the cause for my charging problems. Also, it's a simple 15 min. fix.
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Sam 84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle ) |
#6
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#7
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I had to replace both battery and alt, even thoug a week prior, both tested good. I was going to replace the voltage regulator, as the brushes were just nubs, but the stator was grooved by 1/8 to 1/4 in. A check of the records did not show an alt replacement prior to this.
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RRGrassi 70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car 13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete. 91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K 90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K |
#8
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Quote:
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83 SD 84 CD |
#9
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Thanks all!
Where does the voltage regulator "live." I have a Volt/Ohm meter -- is there a simple way to test the voltage reg?
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1982 300D, anthracite grey, 260k miles, Greasecar 1999 E300D, black, 160k miles, Greasecar 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid http://www.chuckwyatt.com http://www.wordimpressive.com |
#10
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you will find on the back of the alternator, two 10mm screws, maybe 8mm, not sure... anyway they will be on either side of a round black thingie. pull it out and inspect the brushes, they should be at least 10mm protruding, if not, it's bad.
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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread "as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do! My drivers: 1987 190D 2.5Turbo 1987 190D 2.5Turbo 1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!! 1987 300TD 1987 300TD 1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere! |
#11
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OK, so drove to work and back home and everything seems normal, no more electrical misbehavior. Lousy weather and short on time today so not a chance to check things out. What's funny about these cars is that they seem to like to "warn" of impending failure, so I suppose I'm in for a regulator replacement but for now the brush strands appear to have rattled into place for a bit!
BTW, love that signature image, I passed that around the office today. -Chuck
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1982 300D, anthracite grey, 260k miles, Greasecar 1999 E300D, black, 160k miles, Greasecar 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid http://www.chuckwyatt.com http://www.wordimpressive.com |
#12
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I wouldn't wait too long to get the replacement. At least, the engine will stay running (once you get a jumpstart), and get you to where you need to be.
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It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein 09 Jetta TDI 1985 300D |
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