Alternator Experience - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

tobybul · #1 08-20-2008, 02:29 PM

...... When replacing an alternator especially with a remanufactured, ALWAYS have the "new" one tested before installing it. You could get a bad one

like I did.

I put one on my C220 last night without testing it first and Murphy's Law happened. I got it from a local store because I did not want to have the down time of ordering! Plus they happen to have the exact Valeo unit.

I also put one in on my 85 300D (80a) that I ordered but this time had it tested first and passed the test.

Autozone will test alternators for free.

79Mercy · #2 08-20-2008, 02:34 PM

When I replaced mine I told them to test it before I installed it, they told me they couldn't test it because there tester was bad. They probably just didn't want to find out that it was infact bad. AlIt worked fine, it has worked fine for a few weeks now.

pawoSD · #3 08-20-2008, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tobybul

...... When replacing an alternator especially with a remanufactured, ALWAYS have the "new" one tested before installing it. You could get a bad one

like I did.

I put one on my C220 last night without testing it first and Murphy's Law happened. I got it from a local store because I did not want to have the down time of ordering! Plus they happen to have the exact Valeo unit.

I also put one in on my 85 300D (80a) that I ordered but this time had it tested first and passed the test.

Autozone will test alternators for free.

Ouch, thats no fun. I've had that happen with computer parts fairly often, its always luck of the draw.

How is that 80A alternator working out? I might swap one into my car if I can find one for a good price......the extra power would be nice.

tobybul · #4 08-20-2008, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

Ouch, thats no fun. I've had that happen with computer parts fairly often, its always luck of the draw.

How is that 80A alternator working out? I might swap one into my car if I can find one for a good price......the extra power would be nice.

Paw, yes,.... ouch is the word. I already emailed AUto Value a nasty note about my experience. I called them first thing this morning asking them to hang on to my core cuz am coming in to retun the unit. I passed by AZ to testt he bad unit to confirm... and it it did test bad

. So now I know its not my car

.

The 80a is great. I had it tested first by AZ after the first experience. I was busy yesterday - 2 alternator jobs (3 if you count the removal of the othe first one). I think I can do this blind-folded now

I was pretty impressed with the 80a unit. Its about 1/4" longer than the 65a but fit just fine. It appeared to be well remaned. The seller also bet over to do exactly what I asked - include dbl pulley and mail via UPS - no extra charge

. I used 2 new thru-bolts that I ordered from Betten for about $4 ea

pawoSD · #5 08-20-2008, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tobybul

Paw, yes,.... ouch is the word. I already emailed AUto Value a nasty note about my experience. I called them first thing this morning asking them to hang on to my core cuz am coming in to retun the unit. I passed by AZ to testt he bad unit to confirm... and it it did test bad

. So now I know its not my car

.

The 80a is great. I had it tested first by AZ after the first experience. I was busy yesterday - 2 alternator jobs (3 if you count the removal of the othe first one). I think I can do this blind-folded now

I was pretty impressed with the 80a unit. Its about 1/4" longer than the 65a but fit just fine. It appeared to be well remaned. The seller also bet over to do exactly what I asked - include dbl pulley and mail via UPS - no extra charge

. I used 2 new thru-bolts that I ordered from Betten for about $4 ea

So the 80A you used was the ebay one? Who is the seller? I am considering swapping over to the 80A because my 65 is not doing as well as I hoped. I took the one off our dead engine but its only making about 13.5 volts on a good day with nothing on....if I use the blower and headlights etc....it barely goes to 13V even with the engine revved up, less when at idle...and thats not good.

First I need to find a new bracket and adjustment bolt though, mine got messed up when I last did it, and taking it off again will be the end of this bracket....maybe I'll go scouting at the junk yard tomorrow....

a2t · #6 08-20-2008, 10:20 PM

sucks man.

this rule goes for starter motors too. i tested mine before installing and it worked so i continued on with the pain and agony. i think it would of been the end of my benz era had i gone thru it all and it didnt work.

yellowbenz · #7 08-20-2008, 10:53 PM

Just curious but has everyone here had to grind down the alternator case to get it to fit? My alternator experience was marred by a bad replacement as well. The worst part is the second tested bad at an autozone but passed the napa test. Went ahead and put it in and ultimately is was fine.

pwogaman · #8 08-20-2008, 11:02 PM

I picked up an alternator today at a Pick & Pull yard out of a 1992 Saab 900 (non-S and non-turbo). All the bolts and belts were loose already, but the one big bolt ran into the oil filter housing. I easily pulled three bolts and then it was mine. I thought it was a AL129, but it turns out it is just 80 Amp. I took by AdvanceAuto parts on the way home and tested it. It is only putting out about 12.5, just below the minimum green zone of 13 on their tester. Might be as easy as a voltage regulator. It only cost me $15 plus a $5 core. It should bolt right into the 85 300SD. I looks like it is also a remanufactured unit. I'll stick it in the garage and mess with it later.

pawoSD · #9 08-20-2008, 11:04 PM

I wonder why my alternator I swapped in a month-ish ago is so weak. Its a German Rebuilt 65A unit that I pulled off our project car's dead motor....the alt was pretty new, it wasn't even very dirty, and it has a German voltage regulator with about 80-85% of the brushes left and nice smooth slip rings. It only puts out at around 13.6 at its highest.....I'm going to seek out either an AL129x or a 80A unit that I can just plug and play. The 80A would probably be good enough for my needs.

pwogaman · #10 08-21-2008, 08:12 PM

I went to another pick & pull today and got another 80Amp alternator. Checked it at AAP as well and it also came in at 12.5. At least this one was the same price ($20) and it appears to be an OEM. I'll get another voltage regulator as this one has the Bosch number on it.

It is really easy pulling the 80 Amp units off the Saab 900s, just make sure you have a 16mm socket and wrench and a sharp blade to cut the belts with you.

pawoSD · #11 08-21-2008, 10:15 PM

I found a 1989 Saab 9000Turbo in the yard today, does that have the right alternator? I will go back for it tomorrow if it does.... It is indeed buried in there....I didn't have a 19mm socket with me to get the front wheel off, otherwise I could have gone after it. Only MB in the yard was a 1977 240d that was severely rusted and looked like it had sat in a field for ages. 112k on the odometer! (am guessing it stopped working at some point) This thing had the worst rust I had ever seen, the whole underbody was nearly rotted out, the fenders were falling off, wheel wells were gone....if I go back I'll get some pics. motor looked good still, had series glow plugs on it, oil cap intact, wet with oil inside, turned it over with the fan and everything moved smoothly and I could feel the strong compression strokes....might be a good motor. Interior was dead, racoons had lived (and pooped) in it for a long time it seems. Gross. I got a door check off it for $1

Had a nice rear left light lens.....manual everything, including climate control....

Anyways, does anyone know if an 89 9000turbo has the 115A or 80A alternator? I looked on ********az and it says that from 1988 onward they used the 115A.....whatever, I have time tomorrow, I'll go back and see if I can get it off.

toomany MBZ · #12 08-22-2008, 09:31 PM

When I replaced the alt in a 300D, I got a U.S. rebuilt Bosch 80 amp unit from an independent parts store. Bolted right in. The car failed soon after, so I can't comment on longevity.

pawoSD · #13 08-22-2008, 11:23 PM

Tomorrow I might go try and pull the alternator from the saab 9000 in the yard. Hopefully its the right one and in good shape....

Chas H · #14 08-22-2008, 11:30 PM

I quit buying remans long ago. I have the local electrical rebuilder do my alternators, generators and starters. Over the counter stuff is junk.

pawoSD · #15 08-22-2008, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chas H

I quit buying remans long ago. I have the local electrical rebuilder do my alternators, generators and starters. Over the counter stuff is junk.

If the one I get from the yard is in need of a rebuild (I am going to have it tested at AZ) I'm going to save my $$ and have a local place do it. I agree on the over the counter stuff. The ones you get from fastlane are ok though because they are rebuilt in Germany (at least most seem to be)....so the quality of rebuild is good. And if you can get your hands on "USA Industries" rebuilt products over the counter those are good too, rebuilt right here in the USA, the starter in my dad's SD is from them and its awesome, not to mention price competitive, only $120 over the counter from Murray's Auto Parts.

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