I recently got an error message about voltage and battery problems. I hooked up my voltmeter and it showed that the charge on the battery was 11.75 without the car running. Then I started the car and checked the voltage, (assuming that the voltage would increase if the alternator was functioning properly...), however, the voltage reading on the battery dropped and continued to drop. I assumed at this point that the problem was a faulty alternator.

I've decided to replace the alternator and battery. I've removed the belt, and loosened the bolts holding the alternator. The problem I'm having now is how to I remove the spacer sleeves? I understand that I have to remove these before I can take out the alternator and undo the wiring harness.

Thanks for any advice.

Brad.

__________________
Dr. Brad

2003 C320 4Matic Station Wagon
2002 C240 Elegance
1982 380 SEL Star Certified

I'm really in a bind...I've pulled off the belt and unscrewed the two bolts that hold the alternator to the bracket, but I still can't remove the alterator. I've read that I have to now remove the spacers but don't know how.

Any help is appreciated!

Thanks.

__________________
Dr. Brad

2003 C320 4Matic Station Wagon
2002 C240 Elegance
1982 380 SEL Star Certified

Hmmmm........I've never had to remove the spacers to get the alternator out. You may need to carefully "help" it out with a suitable pry bar. I've done quite a few of them and never had a problem.

Also, you should be able to fix your charging system issue by replacing the voltage regulator. Unless you've got high mileage the alternator should be OK.

Thanks ILUVMILS. I'll try to wedge it out tonight again. The vehicle only has 140K Kms, so I'll have the alternator bench tested before getting it rebuilt...any other suggestions on how to get this thing out is appreciated. BTW ILUVMILS, once I get it loosened from the bracket, which way is the best way to get it out of the engine compartment? Upward, forward or from under the car?

Thanks again!

__________________
Dr. Brad

2003 C320 4Matic Station Wagon
2002 C240 Elegance
1982 380 SEL Star Certified

Ya...got the alternator off the bracket by prying it a little. I guess it was a little seized. Now to figure out how to take off the wiring harnesses. Any help here is needed. I have no clue on how to do this.

Do I just pull on the harness? which one is the harness? There is a little knob on the back of the alternator that has a small mercedes star on it. Does this loosen the harness some how? I'm stuck again!

__________________
Dr. Brad

2003 C320 4Matic Station Wagon
2002 C240 Elegance
1982 380 SEL Star Certified

Ok, figured it out...the smaller harness is the typical clip, just compress and pull. The larger harness is held in place by a large nut that is covered by that little mercedes cap. I had to just pull on the rubber cap to get it off....almost there....

__________________
Dr. Brad

2003 C320 4Matic Station Wagon
2002 C240 Elegance
1982 380 SEL Star Certified