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  #1  
Old 08-05-2006, 02:18 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 178
Ugh, '90 190E alternator, battery woes

For the first time my 190E has left me stranded the other night. Here's the lowdown. I was driving on the freeway and started to notice my dash light going dim. Because there was still some light outside and the car continued to drive normally, I didn't think much of it. When I got to my destination I noticed the ABS light came on and then the SRS light. After a while I got back into my car and the car started and I drove to a gas station, got gas and went on my way home. a few miles down I noticed my dash lights were very dime and the ABS/SRS lights came on. Next thing I knew the car seemed to be losing power and I eventually coasted to the curb. Turned on the hazard lights, and at first the green arrows were blinking but very weakly but then they gave out indicating the hazard lights went out. I called my 24-hour emergency hotline and while I waited for a tow truck, I looked inside the hood. Nothing seemed amiss. After a while I cranked the car and noticed I had some power back on but not enough to fully crank the engine. A bit more waiting and I tried again and the car fired up. So I drove maybe a half mile and same thing happened...dimming lights and car died before I could make a right turn into a more residential street. I had all the symptoms of a dead battery, yet strange that after waiting a bit power would come back on and I am able to crank the car.

I did an archive search when I got home and found these could be the possible culprits:

alternator--hope not, major $$$!
voltage regulator--hope so, sounds cheap to replace
battery--not likely because Interstate battery is fairly new
OVP relay--what is that and what does it do?

if it is the VR, can I access it from the top or do I need to drop the belly pan and get it from below?

On a side note, I requested a flatbad, and I noticed the guy strapped the two chain hooks to the piece that links the suspension and wheel. Is this okay?

So bummed out...thanks, guys.

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  #2  
Old 08-05-2006, 06:41 PM
JamesDean's Avatar
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: NE Ohio
Posts: 5,038
you should probably get the 190's charging system tested. they usually do this free at most auto parts places..autozone, advance, etc. They'll tell you if your battery is healthy and the alternator is putting out ok.

if you have a multimeter handy you can check somethings at home. Test the voltage across the battery is should be 12v or better. Turn the car on and revv the engine to near 2k rpm and check the volts again should be near 13.5 - 14.4 v. My 190 puts out about 13.6-7 at 2k rpm.

As to the voltage regulator question im not sure if the 190 would have to be on a lift to get to it. My 190 is lowered so pretty much any work underneath is going to need a jack stand or lift. When my 300SD's voltage regulator was replaced they did it without having to lift the car. It took less than a 1/2 hour and costed about $60 if i remember.

get the charging system tested and report back.
anyone else care to chime in?
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  #3  
Old 08-06-2006, 03:30 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2002
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Where can I find the voltage regulator? I looked at the alt today and there is this piece that is attached at the rear of the alt and looks to be held to it by a screw at the bottom and a nut on top. Is this the VR?
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  #4  
Old 08-06-2006, 06:01 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Southeastern PA
Posts: 3,077
frosty, the voltage regulator attaches to the back of the alternator. You'll likely find that the brushes are worn down so far they're not making contact with the armature ... therefore the battery is not being recharged properly as the engine runs. This is a simple DIY replacement. Order a new voltage regulator online for around $26.

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