93 E320 (300E 3.2)

1) Voltage regulator fails, allowing 19V to the system
2) OVP blows (but OVP fuse doesn't )
3) Engine runs ragged, surges rapidly on cold start
4) AC blower stops working,
5) cruise control fails,
6) Nakamichi stereo and amps stop working,
7) battery cooks off,
8) miscellaneous exterior bulbs pop,
9) license plate light wire shorts
10) Bulb warning light comes on
11) Check engine light comes on, but then doesn't re-appear

So far, the parts are a new V reg/brush assembly , new battery, some bulbs, and an OVP. Oh, almost forgot - a new blower motor regulator at $300+. The Nak seems to work so far, as does the cruise control. The rest of the AC seems OK, and the new OVP seems to have solved the ragged, surging engine. Don't imagine the Voltage and failed OVP did the rest of the electricals any real good, but time will tell.

So if you are driving along and all of a sudden the radio and cruise control stop working, and the engine seems a tad rough, and an exterior bulb warning light comes on, then you indeed have a problem! (btw, you might make sure the check engine light works - unless it blows from the 19 V when the OVP fails)

We might just put OVP and brush assembly on our 3 year p.m. replace list!

__________________
John

2003 Firemist Red/grey leather SL 500
2015 Palladium Silver/black mbtex GLK 350
1987 Smoke Silver/burgundy mbtex 300E Sportline (SOLD)

Click to see 87 300E

were your voltage regulator brushes/contacts worn down to the nub?

They were worn, but not completely gone - maybe 25-30% left.

__________________
John

2003 Firemist Red/grey leather SL 500
2015 Palladium Silver/black mbtex GLK 350
1987 Smoke Silver/burgundy mbtex 300E Sportline (SOLD)

Click to see 87 300E

Boy, I sure dodged the bullet on this one.

Looks like I sold the car just in time.

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

btw...your 300e looks great!!

is the grill insert painted gloss black?

Close - I had my body shop prep a new plastic insert, spray it with matte black (about half way between gloss and flat black), then put a couple layers of matte clear coat. Extra work, but it has been about 4 years since it was done, and still looks great - even though it has had enough front road trash to require replacing the aluminum grill strips once in that period.

Whole seperate story on the inserts: I used the later 300CE inserts instead of the 87 strips. Suginami tracked down the part number. The 87 replacement inserts don't work like the original ones, and require a dozen or so plastic clips to hold them in place (loosely). The later model CE strips fit like the originals in the same tracks without clips. The only difference is the late ones are flat faced strips and a little bolder looking, while the original strips form a sharp leading edge instead of a flat face, and are a little more subtle.

BTW, Suginami did a great job maintaining his car, and my tech was pretty picky in his PPI - this is just one of those things that happen, and a validation of the old saying of holding 20% of the purchase price in reserve for unforseen issues when buying used cars. We still love the car, and no regrets.

__________________
John

2003 Firemist Red/grey leather SL 500
2015 Palladium Silver/black mbtex GLK 350
1987 Smoke Silver/burgundy mbtex 300E Sportline (SOLD)

Click to see 87 300E

Looks like it's painted black. Don't forget to compliment on the Hella 500 Euros

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1989 300CE Astralsilber/Schwarz
1992 300CE Schwarz/Schwarz