Dmtypr

I've changed alternators now like 3 times first two times it was prostart cheap from pepboys but now i bought a remanufactured alternator from bosch but recently i noticed a little slight pulsing when starting my car it made my sense accelerate! cause my two pepboys alternators made my car lights pulse like a disco...

The car had alternator installed then normal city driving then at night the music at all the volume like a 1 hour trip to my beach house. Perhaps the battery wasnt charged enough?

Im searching for a new battery it has now a duralast battery but i am searching for a new battery i dont want to see pulsing again...

Any more info you might need to help me just le me know thanks!

Critter

Are you running an aftermarket amp on the stereo, any other add ons. It sounds like your battery is not either charged up or is old and weak as the car is running off the alternator. Age of battery over 4 years-suspect, older batteries are huge resisters.
Other point is alt is no good and the regulator or diode tree inside is not good. Check with engine off the battery voltage, should be 12.6V or 12.7V, any lower indicates a poor battery or low on charge ( recharge overnight with 10amp charger). Running the car should register 14.2V with everything on, lights, radio, heater a slight increase in idle should maintain a constant 14.2v.
Aftermarket subs and amps cause spiking in the voltage requirement which you may be experiencing. When looking for battery Interstate has a nice AGM battery in the 850cca to 900cca the higher the better.
Good Luck

Dmtypr

The battery is 2.5 years old. And has a 12.5 charge. When car is runningit has 14.3 to 14.2 charge i called my local benz stealership and they said they would replace my current battery for a core exchange and $162 for a new oem one

mguerrero

162$ for a MB battery is a good deal - I paid 280$ a few months ago

Critter

1. does the car sit for long periods during the 2.5 years the battery was used
2 I would put it on a charger for at least 8 but better 12 hours on a 4-10amp charger.
Trickle charger although will work but it would take a few days.
After charging, check battery voltage, should be 12.7V or above like 12.9.
Another option is getting it fully charged then load tested. (Before buying new battery).
All your symptoms, flickering lights and such are close to the car running off the alternator with little assistance from the battery.
You might also want to clean all bat posts and cable ends to ensure good connections.
The changing of so many alternators kind of leads to the battery. Do you have access to another battery just to see if the flickering goes away? This will point back to the alt if flickering continues with another bat.


That price for new bat from MB is good but may not cure the problem if it is a low output alt. Meaning voltage is good but not enough current for the car ie 120 or 140 amp alt.
Do you have aftermarket stereo or amps??

City Rat

Based on the advice of several members here I picked up an EverStart MAXX H-8 battery from Walmart. 900 CCA, all weather,( Walmart p/n 001072411) 5 year warranty (3 years free replacement + 2 years they will prorate) free install and test for $120.00. It has been about a year and couldn't be happier. In terms of power draws everything is OEM except an after market Alpine head unit and Helix sub, both running through the factory Bose amp. I run my car year around as my DD, mostly highway miles. I travel a lot for business and the car will sit in airport lots for up to 14 days with no problem starting upon my return. As others have said make sure that you charging system, alternator is in good shape and that you don't have any hidden power pirates, e.g. map lights stuck on, etc. Once assured that your charging system is in good shape I would give your local Walmart a call. Give them your old battery and avoid the core charge. When I went in there were three other MBZ in with BMWs and Volvos on deck. They did a fine professional install, including knowing to connect the battery vent tube that comes on these cars and could be easily missed. Good luck.

m.e.g.

MB replaced the battery in my 03 CLK55 in May of 2005. That MB OE battery lasted almost 10 years! Just replaced it with a Bosch AGM H8/L5/49, 850 CCA/1020CA, from PepBoys founders sale 25% off out the door $164.99, normal price $214.99. The AGM has full 4 year free replacement warranty and 3 year free emergency jumpstart. The Absorbed Glass Mat means no more seeping or spills. 100% maintenance free. Hope this battery lasts for as long as the MB OE battery, which was made for MB by Bosch.

mguerrero

very nice!