863udig

What's good people .. I'm new to this whole thing so thanks for the help

I have a 2000 c230 that I changed the alternator on 3 times in the last two weeks.. The voltage regulator failed on all 3 .. and it kills my battery ... battery is brand new ...

Anybody have a clue what can be causing this or is it just a bunch of faulty alternators ...

Heard many people been having same issue
Appreciate any input

1 Bosch .. ebay
2 Valeo .. O'Rileys
3 Bosch .. O'Rileys

Have a new one waiting on me for tomorrow

Thanks

Plutoe

The next one you put in--have the charging system tested by the firm that you purchased the battery!!

u001elg

Not to sound silly, but how do we know this is a bad voltage regulator and not a parasitic drain that is discharging the battery?


I have come across several instances in the past 20 years or so where the C230 alternator was blamed/replaced when the real cause was (in no particular order): 1) ECU not turning the alternator on due to a bad connector, 2) bad engine or body ground damaging the alternator and 3) a parasitic drain - i.e. trunk light or glove box light, etc.) draining the battery.


Otherwise, the alternators on the 2000 C230 are very robust and I personally have had very little problem with the exception of high mileage (150,000+) where the brushes have just plain worn out and scored the armature.