undervoltage error ..stranded and need help
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 110
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From: vancouver canada
2001 c240, 65 MG Midget...5.0L V8
undervoltage error ..please help...and pics of my 07 headlights and grill
hey, i just got 07 headlights installed , drove around for a few hours then i got an error message that said" undervoltage consumer defective" turned off the car and started again and the message was gone..i haven't driven it since but i'm worried about that what does that error mean?
Last edited by alymo; Apr 6, 2007 at 03:32 PM.
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Joined: May 2006
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From: Bangkok
C200K W203
hey, i just got 07 headlights installed , drove around for a few hours then i got an error message that said" undervoltage consumer defective" turned off the car and started again and the message was gone..i haven't driven it since but i'm worried about that what does that error mean?
I got that error message to but after i pump up my stereo system for hours. I think you battery is not charging right. Try driving your car around and see if the battery is charging if erro meassage come up again then something worng with your battery.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 110
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From: vancouver canada
2001 c240, 65 MG Midget...5.0L V8
i'll post picsof the lights in a different thread..i was just thinking the light installation might have something to do with it, maybe they shorted the circuit or something
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From: San Diego, CA & San Jose, Costa Rica & Stuttgart, Germany
1959 220S / 1979 230 G / 2002 A210 AMG / 2003 C320 SC / 2004.5 C320 SS / 2005 ML350 SE / 2008 smart
why start another thread... just post a pic of your 07 lights here...
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: vancouver canada
2001 c240, 65 MG Midget...5.0L V8
undervoltage error ..stranded and need help
hey guys i posted an earlier thread and got no answers so i'll try again. i got an undervoltage error in my car once it then went away the next day it happened a few more times. i checked the voltage on the battery and it reads 12.3-12.4 volts. what should i do? is the battery a possibility or is it most likley the voltage regulator or the alternator? how would i know ? please help i need my car tomorrow and don't know what to do!
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 110
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From: vancouver canada
2001 c240, 65 MG Midget...5.0L V8
undervoltage problem..please help
hey everyone i got an undervoltage error on my car a couple of days ago and the problem has been persistant..i checked the voltage at the battery in idle and it reads about 12.3V i increased rpm with no change in voltage.
what do you guys think is it the battery? or could it be the voltage regulator or alternator? also can anyone tell me where the voltage regulator is on the car and how to replace it? i'll take the battery off tomorrow and get it checked but if it checks out ok my next step will be to replace the voltage regulator since its cheap..if all fails i'll replace the alternator...oh my car is a 2001 c240 btw
thanks
what do you guys think is it the battery? or could it be the voltage regulator or alternator? also can anyone tell me where the voltage regulator is on the car and how to replace it? i'll take the battery off tomorrow and get it checked but if it checks out ok my next step will be to replace the voltage regulator since its cheap..if all fails i'll replace the alternator...oh my car is a 2001 c240 btw
thanks
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From: Houston, TX
2015 E250D
The best way to diagnose it is with a Midtronics battery tester. THe voltage regular is located inside the alternator behind the black plastic cap. At this point, your battery should be fine. Sounds like alternator or regulator.
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From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
If your voltage is 12.5 volts with the engine running and 12.5 volts with the engine off and headlights on,, you have no problem. However if you have less than 12 volts with the headlights on and engine running you have a alternator problem. I don't do individual parts replace on alternators, I replace the entire unit. So your best bet if you need an alternator is to shop for a replacement.
I use equipment that looks at all 3 legs of the alternator output (at a single post for the wave pulsation from the diodes) when I made a decision to replace. I can normally tell if it is diodes, regulator or alternator itself. But if you don't get the voltages above you probably just need a replacement. Jim
I use equipment that looks at all 3 legs of the alternator output (at a single post for the wave pulsation from the diodes) when I made a decision to replace. I can normally tell if it is diodes, regulator or alternator itself. But if you don't get the voltages above you probably just need a replacement. Jim
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03 E500 and Corvette
I agree here, that is the easiest way, but every time I go to MB dealer and throw a "few bucks" it is usually over $1000 for each throw of the bucks. Not a big deal to change an alternator and I always try to save a buck when I can. Jim
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: vancouver canada
2001 c240, 65 MG Midget...5.0L V8
If your voltage is 12.5 volts with the engine running and 12.5 volts with the engine off and headlights on,, you have no problem. However if you have less than 12 volts with the headlights on and engine running you have a alternator problem. I don't do individual parts replace on alternators, I replace the entire unit. So your best bet if you need an alternator is to shop for a replacement.
I use equipment that looks at all 3 legs of the alternator output (at a single post for the wave pulsation from the diodes) when I made a decision to replace. I can normally tell if it is diodes, regulator or alternator itself. But if you don't get the voltages above you probably just need a replacement. Jim
I use equipment that looks at all 3 legs of the alternator output (at a single post for the wave pulsation from the diodes) when I made a decision to replace. I can normally tell if it is diodes, regulator or alternator itself. But if you don't get the voltages above you probably just need a replacement. Jim
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Dallas, TX
2008 E63 wagon (1 of 62)
with the car running you should be able to read about 14 volts at the battery. If the car is running and you only see 12.3-4 volts then I would suspect that your voltage regulator has taken a turn for the worse. You can get just the voltage regulator itself instead of the whole alternator, but I don't know what kind of mechanical experience or tools you have available.
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From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
hey guys i posted an earlier thread and got no answers so i'll try again. i got an undervoltage error in my car once it then went away the next day it happened a few more times. i checked the voltage on the battery and it reads 12.3-12.4 volts. what should i do? is the battery a possibility or is it most likley the voltage regulator or the alternator? how would i know ? please help i need my car tomorrow and don't know what to do!
Go back to stock, and see if you still have a problem.
Otherwise, how old is the battery?
Maybe it's not charging?
If it's old, it can short and drag the whole system down, and cook other things too.
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From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
Where did you get that from. Voltage and amperage are both quite important. Try to start your car with normal voltage and low amperage and see what happens. Electrical devices can also be damaged by running low amperage. Did you flunk electricity in school??
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From: Los Angeles
Enterprise rent-a-car!!!
The midronics test if i remember correctly is done with the engine off, so only tests the battery not charging system.
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From: Houston, TX
2015 E250D
the midtronics test is done while the engine is off and while cranking and while on with loads on. Snapon's microvat is also nice. MB uses midtronics as standard service equipment at all dealerships.
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From: Los Angeles
Enterprise rent-a-car!!!
I use the snap-on microvat, nice tool, I had to many odd readings and problems with the midtronics tester at the dealer, mainly due to one or two testers being passed around (read dropped) by 40 mechanics.
The main reason the dealers use the midtronics is because MB require the printout from it for warrenty claims. Most tech's i know prefer the snap on tester. Just my $0.02 worth.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: vancouver canada
2001 c240, 65 MG Midget...5.0L V8
damn the dealership...my car is @#$% up please help
ok guys i was getting the undervoltage message for the last couple of days and my car finally died today right away i shut it off and called a tow truck and took it to the dealer. the dealer did their thing and told me it needs a new battery and regulator..which is fine and then the tech called me to the shop and said that all the SAMs are failing after he installed the new battery and now my signals, wipers, power seats, dome light, remote trunk, fuel gauge, temp display are all not working.. the guy is trying to blame it on the mercedes bodyshop who istalled my 07 headlights a few days ago although everything was working perfectly before i took it in even after the battery died all these things were still working, he also tried to tell me that it may be coincedence that everything failed at once right there at the dealer after they installed the bettery...yeah right...what should i do guys i feel like the dealer screwed up my car and wont admit it and i can't prove anything on him...please any previous experience or advice is appreciated
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 110
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From: vancouver canada
2001 c240, 65 MG Midget...5.0L V8
ok guys my car finally died today right away i shut it off and called a tow truck and took it to the dealer. the dealer did their thing and told me it needs a new battery and regulator..which is fine and then the tech called me to the shop and said that all the SAMs are failing after he installed the new battery and now my signals, wipers, power seats, dome light, remote trunk, fuel gauge, temp display are all not working.. the guy is trying to blame it on the mercedes bodyshop who istalled my 07 headlights a few days ago although everything was working perfectly before i took it in even after the battery died all these things were still working, he also tried to tell me that it may be coincedence that everything failed at once right there at the dealer after they installed the bettery...yeah right...what should i do guys i feel like the dealer screwed up my car and wont admit it and i can't prove anything on him...please any previous experience or advice is appreciated
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From: BC, Canada
2003 C230K Coupe Orion Blue
Sweet, another Vancouver guy. Which dealer did you bring it to?
The headlights should do nothing. Total BS. Maybe it's a coincidence? That is weird indeed.
Keep us posted.
The headlights should do nothing. Total BS. Maybe it's a coincidence? That is weird indeed.
Keep us posted.
