Any reliable, honest indie or auto electric to do a Voltage Regulator swap in So CA??
10-28-2010, 04:06 PM
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C230K
Any reliable, honest indie or auto electric to do a Voltage Regulator swap in So CA??
2004 Mercedes C230K, almost hit 60k miles mark.
on July 9 @56,900 miles, first time seeing that big, red battery/alternator warning and I visited a nearby indie MB mechanic for help. (This happened 4 months after I had the Flex A service and the Camshaft solenoid recall done at a dealership in March.)
5-10 mins after the warning, all my lights glow (ABS, SRS, ESP) and none of the windows, locks, radio, air, sunroof would work while it happened and the car wouldn't shift up.
The shop tested battery, starter and alternator and said battery needed to be replaced, and the rest are okay at that time.
They replaced the battery for $180 and haven't seen the warning for a few weeks until Mid August.
Three months and 3000 miles later, the problem has gotten worst so I bought the car back to the same mechanic and they said the alternator is overheating?
and suggested replacing with a re-manufactured BOSCH alternator + labor for $660!!
I called a dealership and they quoted me $569 (re-manufactured) or $800-900 (new) for parts only.
a Bosch AL0810N New Alternator on Amazon is $245.95 without core fee:
http://amzn.com/B000EPSYHC
a Ultima - Alternator is $188.99 + $39.00 core fee:
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...284a34a69f46,0
a OES Genuine Voltage Regulator Part#W0133-1716808 is $135
http://www.autohausaz.com/search/pro...W0133-1716808,
quote from a nearby dealership for a VR: $134 with tax + labor.
My concerns are:
1) At $100 difference, should I buy an alternator and forget about replacing the VR?
2) ANY RELIABLE shop around Rowland Heights and in the OC that wouldn't rob me?
3) Or should I get it done at the dealership?
Thank you in advance!
*since no advise from this forum, I have consulted with a few people and have decided to order the Ultima alternator.
on July 9 @56,900 miles, first time seeing that big, red battery/alternator warning and I visited a nearby indie MB mechanic for help. (This happened 4 months after I had the Flex A service and the Camshaft solenoid recall done at a dealership in March.)
5-10 mins after the warning, all my lights glow (ABS, SRS, ESP) and none of the windows, locks, radio, air, sunroof would work while it happened and the car wouldn't shift up.
The shop tested battery, starter and alternator and said battery needed to be replaced, and the rest are okay at that time.
They replaced the battery for $180 and haven't seen the warning for a few weeks until Mid August.
Three months and 3000 miles later, the problem has gotten worst so I bought the car back to the same mechanic and they said the alternator is overheating?
and suggested replacing with a re-manufactured BOSCH alternator + labor for $660!!I called a dealership and they quoted me $569 (re-manufactured) or $800-900 (new) for parts only.
a Bosch AL0810N New Alternator on Amazon is $245.95 without core fee:
http://amzn.com/B000EPSYHC
a Ultima - Alternator is $188.99 + $39.00 core fee:
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...284a34a69f46,0
a OES Genuine Voltage Regulator Part#W0133-1716808 is $135
http://www.autohausaz.com/search/pro...W0133-1716808,
quote from a nearby dealership for a VR: $134 with tax + labor.
My concerns are:
1) At $100 difference, should I buy an alternator and forget about replacing the VR?
2) ANY RELIABLE shop around Rowland Heights and in the OC that wouldn't rob me?
3) Or should I get it done at the dealership?
Thank you in advance!
*since no advise from this forum, I have consulted with a few people and have decided to order the Ultima alternator.
Last edited by weewendywee; 10-28-2010 at 09:58 PM. Reason: updates
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