So the saga continues....I got stranded (again). Laaazy crank, suspected battery - got jumpers = cranked fine. Replaced with brand new walmart, cranking as it should, runs no prob. Went to autozone to check charging system - diagnosed dead alternator.

I had no warning signs! No "battery warning light" illumination/flickering (the light turns on with ign on before start)

Debating should I order/replace just the voltage regulator or bite the bullet and do the whole thing. I looked it over today, I think I can do the voltage reg from the under the car, without the hassle of removing the whole alternator.

Any pointers how to check your alternator DIY? (with borrowed multimeter)

Check your brushes, if they are worn you wont get a charge, It's a phillips screw or two and a couple wires if memory serves, and it beats a 100+ dollar fix.

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hum.....
1987 300TD 311,000M Stolen. Presumed destroyed

Just went through the same problems intermittently for 2 years in a TD.

Spent $200 on batteries, $200 on alternators, $200 on a starter, $25 on voltage regulator, $25 on belts
Then took it to an indy who said 'these diesels just eat alternators...when you replace your battery you should always replace the alternator, and you'll need to do it again in 2 years."

So I found another mechanic who charged me $350 to put my own working alternator back in and test all accessories. Gave it a clean bill of health.

Didn't stick - no charge 2 days later..., so at that point our solution was to trade it for a nice (simple) 240D.

Miss the turbo, don't miss being stranded randomly.

Hope yours is less twisted (and costly a path!)

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Current Mercedes
1979 maple yellow 240D 4-speed

Gone and fondly remembered:
1980 orient red 240D 4-speed

Gone and NOT fondly remembered:
1982 Chna Blue 300TD

Other car in the stable:
2013 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI / 6-speed MT

Alternator rebuild procedure used to be in all of the books. A quick google should bring it up if you're interested. One alt is ~ any other only with different parts.

Diesels don't "eat alternators". My issue was the voltage regulator which was $35 from my local mechanic. Previous new Bosch regulator was defective. Also, glow plugs pull measured voltage down which caused ChainStore clerk to insist that I needed an alt. I know it is now Summer and your glows shouldn't be on but make sure.

I posted a link perhaps a year ago with a mod that can be done to the regulator to force increased output if the alternator is good but under charging. Othres can chime in if there is a way to test the regulator off of the car. Perhaps pull a regulator from the yard fif it is worth your time.

Also, read link about alternator & bulb to see if it is relevant.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=299610&highlight=alternator+bulb

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

i went through 3 alternators (two under warranty) from Autozone on 84 300SD that my son drives.

my son finally took it to very reputable independent MB shop in Knoxville TN where he lives and they told him "those Autozone" alternators won't last on these cars. you have to get the real thing. so we did. cost over twice as much but so far so good. that was a few months ago. we'll see. don't know if the guy was blowing smoke or not but he has a shop that's been around a long time so seems like he might know what he's talking about

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R Martin
Dallas, TX (Addison)

86 560SEL, 128K

What is it about "these cars" that would be a factor?

Chain store parts are a crap shoot on any vehicle. I was in the TN woods when the alt died on my diesel ram. I bought the only alternator available in town & it is still working after a year.

I would have asked for my $$ back after the 3rd alternator. I've managed to get compensated after multiple failures. The worst thing that can happen is you're told "no".

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

Sorry to hear that! The mechanics you dealt with were incompetant. Too bad you weren't closer I woulda helped you diagnose. It's not that hard!

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85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked

It's not replace the alternator with the battery, or even vice versa . . . . in the old days when the voltage regulator was mounted on the sidewall instead of integral to the alternator, the advice was to ALWAYS change the voltage regulator when changing the alternator.

Some folks believe that if you have TOTALLY drained your battery to deader than a door nail, that you should replace the battery, as it may never totally come back after a charge.

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1983 300D, the "Avocado"
1976 240D, 4-spd the "Pumpkin", SOLD to Pierre
1984 190D, 2.2L, 5-spd, my intro to MBZ diesels, crashed into in 2002

Really, my glow plugs work year round.

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1987 300TD 309, xxx 2.8.2014 10,000 mile OCI


Be careful of the toes you step on today, as they may be connected to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow. anonymous

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter won’t mind.” Dr. Seuss

thanks for the replies! Today at work I pulled the voltage regulator....oh yeah its shot...one brush is ok, the other one is barely there Im so glad that I went this route first...time to pull the voltage regulator: less than 3 minutes once the car is lifted. I have one on order, it should be here in couple days. I will keep you posted

have some sewing thread handy when you go to install the new regulator.
I tie the brushes in the compressed position, and it's SOOOO much easier to install this way.
then you can cut the thread, or just leave it, it'll come out on it's own.

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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!

genius! Much thanks for the tip

Replaced - I still need to take the car to Autozone to check if the fix worked. On the (un)related note: I ordered the voltage regulator from ***********(Kent Bergsma). I was very pleased with the whole order: I did not received just the part, Kent threw in a little zip-tie for installer to perform the same procedure as vstech suggested (great minds think alike!), there was a pair of latex gloves along with a pictured instruction how-to replace the regulator, along with helpful tips...and a LemonHead sour candy to enjoy while you are replacing the parts. This is why I like to order from vendors who are actually knowledgeable about what they are selling, and they had their hands smeared replacing the said part. The part itself was Monarch, I paid $26 + shipping, MUCH cheaper than NAPA ($86 + tax) or other vendors. Some may say that Monarch is not Bosh hence the price, but Im happy with my order.

I have no kickback from the vendor, I just want to post my positive experience.

The reason the reply is starred out is to prevent competing websites from getting advertising here...

I understand your happiness with the order, but you need to understand you paid too much for the part, likely a chinease junk part, and the "instructions" you got with the parts are un approved copies of the mercedes installation cd instructions... and you should have checked our fastlane for the parts!
a little thread, and a screwdriver are all that's needed to change the regulator, and fastlane would have shipped a genuine german regulator.
fyi... advance auto can get the myle part next day for 14.00... it's chinease in a german box, but it's not 26.00...
I wish there was a way to warn members of the hazards of ordering from that site...

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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!