2004-C230

I have come to the conclusion that the Voltage Regular on my 2004 C230 is the cause of the "Battery/Alternator" error messages during cold climate.

I called a mechanic in town and he said that it was better to replace the entire alternator (cost: $800) ... since both would require removing the alternator ... which is majority of the labor.

So ... how easy / difficult is it to replace the voltage regulator ?

Thanks !

otmal

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/po...bGF0b3I=&text=




it's just 3 bolts once you take out the alternator.

2004-C230

Thanks ... but my original concern is regarding the labor involved in taking out the alternator.

pcy

Alternator is held by 2 bolts. Several members have replaced alternator on this forum. Please search for DIY instructions. If I remember the threads, in a Kompressor the space is tight - the alternator comes out the top, not from the bottom.

TruTaing

replacing the alternator all together would be LOTS easier than replacing the voltage regulator. Shouldnt be anywhere near 400 bucks btw :x I had my shop replace the alt for <400 w/ labor and a new alternator.

2004-C230

That's good to know.

I realize that the VR is mounted to the alternator ... given that ... I got a dumb question though ... does replacing the alternator also assume replacement of the VR ? Or are they considered separate parts.

TruTaing

From my understanding, the VR is apart of the alternator. If your car has higher miles its worth just replacing the whole alternator. Replacing the VR alone requires removing the alternator and some soldering and what nots. It could be cheaper, but a greater risk for messing stuff up. Just get a new one and be done with it

2004-C230

Good info. So which one will the 2004 (early edition) C230 take ... Bosch or Valeo ?

TruTaing

Not sure, your shop should be able to get you this info NP.

Glyn M Ruck

It could have either - VIN check required. If you want to save bucks & don't mind having the car off the road for a few days you could have your unit rebuilt.

Boom vang

No soldering is needed, it is a simple swap of parts. For North American 2003-2005 C230K the alternator is made by the French Prince of Darkness - Valeo. Technically it is not a challenging job, removing the alternator is fiddly but should take you about 1//2 hr or so. You will need an inverted Torx socket to remove the 2 alternator mounting bolts


The cheapest I found for an OEM VR is $118, let me know if anyone finds one cheaper.


To rebuild your alternator it will cost you about $260-$300 if you take it out yourself and drop off at an auto electric shop. They will test the windings, replace the bearings, VR, machine the commutator, sandblast the housing and repaint. If your car does not have many miles it might be worth the gamble to just replace the VR if you can get the part cheap enough and do your own labour. If you are paying someone then get them to rebuild the whole thing because you are going to pay at least $120 for someone to re&re it

Glyn M Ruck

Is that for definite? All SA build are Bosch but I was uncertain about NA. Some NA cars come from Brazil & not Germany. What alternator do they have? Bosch have a plant in Brazil.

2004-C230

Where did you get that price ? please Post it here or PM me. thanks !!

Boom vang

I believe that all Canadian spec cars come from Germany, I am sure it is the same south of the border... there would be riots in the streets if we paid the premium to get our German cars and found out that they were Made in Brazil.

I know that the 2003-2005 cars with the M271 engine have Valeo alternators

Boom vang

https://www.getmercedesparts.com/mer...***-parts.html

Valeo Voltage Reg
part number 003-154-40-06

go to the bottom of the page and click on Part Number Search

LILBENZ230

USDM cars can be from Brazil, indeed. I can't speak for Canada but Drew's 2007 C230 has a "WDBRF" VIN but was assembled in Brazil. There have been posts on this forum saying that 2005 C230s have rejected Bosch alternators, but I'm not sure that's the whole story. Nothing should be wrong with Valeo ones. Some are way too concerned with what is built where, IMO.

Glyn M Ruck

Absolutely - most W204's to America are built in SA.

The SA plant has won the JD Powers plant award 2 years straight & the W204 has just come in first in the latest SA JD Powers survey for least faults in it's category - Compact Execs - Even blew Lexus to the weeds!

2004-C230

Thanks !

I placed the order. Meanhwhile, I asked around and one shop said it would take 2.5 hours for the job

bigspender101

The 2.5 hrs is what my Indy said too. He uses AllData for the time. But he did say that is just an estimate....He can usually do it under that time....I wish there was a strait forward DIY showing exactly how to do it....

samaritrey

my 01 c320 has a Valeo alternator. btw my car has 154,366 miles lol with no alternator problems.

Mtu

Hi Glyn,

Are the Valeo alternators available in SA? If so, is there a store/dealer near OR Tambo airport who has them? I need to grab one ASAP, and I'm only in town for few days. My car is NA version (M271 2004 C230K SS) but now it's in East Africa, and have read in here that they will not take the Bosch brand.

Please help.

Thanks,
Mtu

Mtu

Members,

I just wanted to let you know that I was able to replace my Valeo alternator with Bosch, and the car did not reject it, as some have claimed in this forum. Thanks Glyn for all your help, I was able to secure the alternator from the dealer in Sandton.

Glyn M Ruck

See my PM - Pleased all is fixed. Valeo & Bosch alternators are fungible.

2004-C230

Just a FYI. I was able to get the Voltage Regulator from the internet. A local shop charged me $150 to install it. All told I spent about $280.00. Everything is working fine during really cold days. Contrary to what the dealer said ... the alternator itself was fine !

Boom vang

found a cheaper source for OEM VR for Valeo alts, $69 (it was $59 last year when I bought)

Identical to the one MB canada sells for $202 and the US MB dealers for about $120

http://www.americanenginesco.com/ser...c-class/Detail