Alternator Or Battery?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 758
Likes: 2
From: California
03 W203, 13 E350, 13 W204, 14 C218
Alternator/Battery Error (Aftermarket Audio Installed)
Tell me what you guys think?
First off the battery is 5 years old. Because I have an 03 C230K Sedan and I tested its voltage and with the car off it is a little over 12 its stands at about 12.2 or so. With the engine on its goes up to about 13.3 or so.
For some reason I keep getting Battery/Alternator error but i haven't had any problems yet. I do have two 12" subs and two amps hooked up but they have been hooked up for years and I have never had this problem.
Also yesterday I was playing my music loudly as usual and the subs went out but when i pulled over to check wiring everything checked out. the Subs are running 1000w by the way. A legit 1000w its a Alpine PDX 1.1000
Someone else on the forums slightly had a similar problem but he wasn't getting and error on the dash. And it was his highs and lows going out not the subs.
Do you think I just need a new battery or an alternator...or both? Is there any other test I can do myself to check?
Probelm: When playing my music at loud volumes lights would dim and I would get battery/alternator errors. I would also get the battery errors at low volumes just not as frequent. There was also one instance where I got ABS, and ESP error and all lights shut off in the car and my system turned off (subs/speakers/headunit).
Solution: I got a 4.0 Farad Capacitor installed cost me $110.00 (installed + cap price). Everything has been smooth running, no more dimmed lights thanks to advice from Kris420.
Other Users Suggestions:
1.) Big 3 Set Up For More Power Supply To The Battery.
2.) New Battery
3.) New Alternator
First off the battery is 5 years old. Because I have an 03 C230K Sedan and I tested its voltage and with the car off it is a little over 12 its stands at about 12.2 or so. With the engine on its goes up to about 13.3 or so.
For some reason I keep getting Battery/Alternator error but i haven't had any problems yet. I do have two 12" subs and two amps hooked up but they have been hooked up for years and I have never had this problem.
Also yesterday I was playing my music loudly as usual and the subs went out but when i pulled over to check wiring everything checked out. the Subs are running 1000w by the way. A legit 1000w its a Alpine PDX 1.1000
Someone else on the forums slightly had a similar problem but he wasn't getting and error on the dash. And it was his highs and lows going out not the subs.
Do you think I just need a new battery or an alternator...or both? Is there any other test I can do myself to check?
Probelm: When playing my music at loud volumes lights would dim and I would get battery/alternator errors. I would also get the battery errors at low volumes just not as frequent. There was also one instance where I got ABS, and ESP error and all lights shut off in the car and my system turned off (subs/speakers/headunit).
Solution: I got a 4.0 Farad Capacitor installed cost me $110.00 (installed + cap price). Everything has been smooth running, no more dimmed lights thanks to advice from Kris420.
Other Users Suggestions:
1.) Big 3 Set Up For More Power Supply To The Battery.
2.) New Battery
3.) New Alternator
Last edited by paypaboi; Oct 16, 2008 at 06:41 PM. Reason: Problem has been solved and i am including all the actions i took to fix the problem and making it easier to search.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: SoCal/NorCal
08 E63
check the if the alternator to see if it keeps charge by
1. turn on car
2. disconnect the ground from battery if car shuts off then the alternator is going to need replacement if not then might be the battery
1. turn on car
2. disconnect the ground from battery if car shuts off then the alternator is going to need replacement if not then might be the battery
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 758
Likes: 2
From: California
03 W203, 13 E350, 13 W204, 14 C218
Banned
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 910
Likes: 2
From: In Kush Land So cal
02 C320 Sedan
Tell me what you guys think?
First off the battery is 5 years old. Because I have an 03 C230K Sedan and I tested its voltage and with the car off it is a little over 12 its stands at about 12.2 or so. With the engine on its goes up to about 13.3 or so.
For some reason I keep getting Battery/Alternator error but i haven't had any problems yet. I do have two 12" subs and two amps hooked up but they have been hooked up for years and I have never had this problem.
Also yesterday I was playing my music loudly as usual and the subs went out but when i pulled over to check wiring everything checked out. the Subs are running 1000w by the way. A legit 1000w its a Alpine PDX 1.1000
Someone else on the forums slightly had a similar problem but he wasn't getting and error on the dash. And it was his highs and lows going out not the subs.
Do you think I just need a new battery or an alternator...or both? Is there any other test I can do myself to check?
First off the battery is 5 years old. Because I have an 03 C230K Sedan and I tested its voltage and with the car off it is a little over 12 its stands at about 12.2 or so. With the engine on its goes up to about 13.3 or so.
For some reason I keep getting Battery/Alternator error but i haven't had any problems yet. I do have two 12" subs and two amps hooked up but they have been hooked up for years and I have never had this problem.
Also yesterday I was playing my music loudly as usual and the subs went out but when i pulled over to check wiring everything checked out. the Subs are running 1000w by the way. A legit 1000w its a Alpine PDX 1.1000
Someone else on the forums slightly had a similar problem but he wasn't getting and error on the dash. And it was his highs and lows going out not the subs.
Do you think I just need a new battery or an alternator...or both? Is there any other test I can do myself to check?
But im sure you have a cap if your pulling 1000watts.
Banned
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 910
Likes: 2
From: In Kush Land So cal
02 C320 Sedan
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,273
Likes: 172
From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
Disconnect the ground on a running car?
I've never heard of that, and that doesn't sound like a very good idea.
Actually it sounds like a VERY bad idea.
Perhaps you can explain where you heard of doing this.
IMHO it would shut off no matter what.
Without a ground you'd have an incomplete circuit, and IMHO I think you could do some serious damage.
My GF's car is having a similar problem.
I tend to believe the brushes are likely down to nubs as her car is an Ml320 w/180K miles.
In her case, I'm trying to get her to just get another vehicle!
How many miles on the vehicle? Check the cables, and the battery for corrosion.
I've never heard of that, and that doesn't sound like a very good idea.
Actually it sounds like a VERY bad idea.
Perhaps you can explain where you heard of doing this.
IMHO it would shut off no matter what.
Without a ground you'd have an incomplete circuit, and IMHO I think you could do some serious damage.
My GF's car is having a similar problem.
I tend to believe the brushes are likely down to nubs as her car is an Ml320 w/180K miles.
In her case, I'm trying to get her to just get another vehicle!
How many miles on the vehicle? Check the cables, and the battery for corrosion.
Last edited by C230 Sport Coup; Oct 15, 2008 at 03:50 PM.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 758
Likes: 2
From: California
03 W203, 13 E350, 13 W204, 14 C218
Yes they dim when they hit...I asked the shop about a CAP and he said that it wouldn't help. So a cap should solve this problem? I mean I notice when I turn the stereo completely off The error doesn't come up now that I think about it....
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Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 758
Likes: 2
From: California
03 W203, 13 E350, 13 W204, 14 C218
Doing that will reset the windows or i will have to do something else to reset the windows? I read this before on the forums when was searching for my problem but I wasn't sure about it sounded like it wouldn't work but I have more confidence in it now...
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Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 311
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From: SoCal/NorCal
08 E63
[QUOTE=C230 Sport Coup;3109809]Disconnect the ground on a running car?
I've never heard of that, and that doesn't sound like a very good idea.
Actually it sounds like a VERY bad idea.
Perhaps you can explain where you heard of doing this.
IMHO it would shut off no matter what.
Without a ground you'd have an incomplete circuit, and IMHO I think you could do some serious damage. QUOTE]
Its not bad for the car its just the quickest way to test the alternator your self. I've worked with several mechanics and since I remember thats how they tested alternators before making any conclusion.
One other thing you should consider looking at if you look under the hood the ground cable on the battery is only a 8 gage to 4 gage cable from the chasis try adding an extra ground to the battery to stop the dimmming on your lights
I've never heard of that, and that doesn't sound like a very good idea.
Actually it sounds like a VERY bad idea.
Perhaps you can explain where you heard of doing this.
IMHO it would shut off no matter what.
Without a ground you'd have an incomplete circuit, and IMHO I think you could do some serious damage. QUOTE]
Its not bad for the car its just the quickest way to test the alternator your self. I've worked with several mechanics and since I remember thats how they tested alternators before making any conclusion.
One other thing you should consider looking at if you look under the hood the ground cable on the battery is only a 8 gage to 4 gage cable from the chasis try adding an extra ground to the battery to stop the dimmming on your lights
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,518
Likes: 1
From: STL
W203 C230SS
i wouldn't try disconnecting any of the battery terminals while running- that sounds like a bad idea waiting to happen. the older cars have a picky SAM, i wouldn't want to risk having to pay for one of them. hell- take it to autozone- they will test the alt and battery for free. normally i stay away from the 'zone due to the turds that work there. however, the machine they use to do those tests, a monkey can handle.
as far as a cap- if you don't have one- keep it that way. those things were only usefull way back in the day prior to good amps. all they are now is yet another load on the battery. first and foremost- do the big three. i've got well over 1k watts on tap (not that it's used too much) and my lights are fine with nothing more than the big 3 upgrade.
me- i'd go ahead and replace the battery reguardless of it possibly being the problem. 5 years old- it's getting close to the time for one of those to go south anyway.
as far as a cap- if you don't have one- keep it that way. those things were only usefull way back in the day prior to good amps. all they are now is yet another load on the battery. first and foremost- do the big three. i've got well over 1k watts on tap (not that it's used too much) and my lights are fine with nothing more than the big 3 upgrade.
me- i'd go ahead and replace the battery reguardless of it possibly being the problem. 5 years old- it's getting close to the time for one of those to go south anyway.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 758
Likes: 2
From: California
03 W203, 13 E350, 13 W204, 14 C218
i wouldn't try disconnecting any of the battery terminals while running- that sounds like a bad idea waiting to happen. the older cars have a picky SAM, i wouldn't want to risk having to pay for one of them. hell- take it to autozone- they will test the alt and battery for free. normally i stay away from the 'zone due to the turds that work there. however, the machine they use to do those tests, a monkey can handle.
as far as a cap- if you don't have one- keep it that way. those things were only usefull way back in the day prior to good amps. all they are now is yet another load on the battery. first and foremost- do the big three. i've got well over 1k watts on tap (not that it's used too much) and my lights are fine with nothing more than the big 3 upgrade.
me- i'd go ahead and replace the battery reguardless of it possibly being the problem. 5 years old- it's getting close to the time for one of those to go south anyway.
as far as a cap- if you don't have one- keep it that way. those things were only usefull way back in the day prior to good amps. all they are now is yet another load on the battery. first and foremost- do the big three. i've got well over 1k watts on tap (not that it's used too much) and my lights are fine with nothing more than the big 3 upgrade.
me- i'd go ahead and replace the battery reguardless of it possibly being the problem. 5 years old- it's getting close to the time for one of those to go south anyway.
And yeah I heard the same thing about caps to that they aren't that useful anymore. Especially with the equipment I am using. The big 3 upgrade seems the most sensible I just read up on it. Thanks Man I will let everyone know how this goes once I get it done. Thanks for all the inquiries
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 758
Likes: 2
From: California
03 W203, 13 E350, 13 W204, 14 C218
Banned
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 910
Likes: 2
From: In Kush Land So cal
02 C320 Sedan
Kris
You got any pictures of your whip?
Last edited by krisv420; Oct 16, 2008 at 07:22 PM.
11000, altenator, alternator, audio, battery, car, disconnect, disconnecting, ground, pdx, probelms, shuts
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