My cousin is driving my 350sdl from nj to ca.
Currently in Barstow ca (only ~150 miles to go!), he calls to tell me he has lost all electric power.
Gradual loss as in the guage cluster playing tricks before full failure.
He is currently looking to buy a battery to run the lights for the last 2 hours or so.
I think it has to do w/ the alt. as the batt. is only 2 months old (bosche from pepboys).

Is there a piece to the alternator to check or is it better to just replace the whole thing?

__________________
82 300D....went to MB heaven
90 350 SDL....excercising con rods

#1. Are the connections all "tight and clean".
AutoZone ,Advance,Etc will all test the Alternator for free!
(it may just be the regulator/brushes)
#2 Forget driving in the dark with a dead alternator...The lights might kill a
"New" battery before he gets there.(Who knows what else is wrong!)
#3 NOTHING else will work...But the SDL's engine will run without electricity...
the EDS (Electronic Diesel System[engine computer]) will not function...which
may not allow the engine to "drag him home".

__________________
'84 300SD sold
124.128

he got there

a 350 sdl runs well w/ zilch juice.

__________________
82 300D....went to MB heaven
90 350 SDL....excercising con rods