Battery/Alternator Warning AFTER replacing alternator, Please Help!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 31
Likes: 2
From: Miami FL
2010 E350
Battery/Alternator Warning AFTER replacing alternator, Please Help!
Hey Guys,
Im in dire need of some help. I replaced my alternator with a bosch about 1 month ago. Now im starting to receive the "Battery/alternator" warning along with a check engine light. Today it got even worse, My esp went out and abs and for a little bit I couldn't shift into second.
Now im scared. What do you think it is? I just replaced the alternator, Think I got a lemon or is it something else?
Anything helps! Thank you so much!!
2006 C230 Sport 102,000 miles
Im in dire need of some help. I replaced my alternator with a bosch about 1 month ago. Now im starting to receive the "Battery/alternator" warning along with a check engine light. Today it got even worse, My esp went out and abs and for a little bit I couldn't shift into second.
Now im scared. What do you think it is? I just replaced the alternator, Think I got a lemon or is it something else?
Anything helps! Thank you so much!!
2006 C230 Sport 102,000 miles
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
Did you check the battery first? Put the car in dyno mode and watch the voltage as you drive. Should be 13.5ish at idle and 14.0-14.2 in motion, never higher.
Dyno mode:
Make sure master odometer screen is displayed
Turn key to 1st click
Press the reset button by the instrument cluster 3 times quickly
The voltage should come up. "UB 13.5V" will be the format.
Dyno mode:
Make sure master odometer screen is displayed
Turn key to 1st click
Press the reset button by the instrument cluster 3 times quickly
The voltage should come up. "UB 13.5V" will be the format.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 31
Likes: 2
From: Miami FL
2010 E350
Thank you for your kind and quick response.
I will go check it in dyno mode and get back to you as soon as possible.
If it differs from 13.5 at idle and 14.0-14.2 in motion what do you think the problem is?
I will go check it in dyno mode and get back to you as soon as possible.
If it differs from 13.5 at idle and 14.0-14.2 in motion what do you think the problem is?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 31
Likes: 2
From: Miami FL
2010 E350
replaced the battery, still no good.
Ok, so I replaced the battery after it died on me on the way to the store. I drove it around in dyno mode and at first things looked ok. It idled at 12.0 and in motion stayed around 12.0-12.1 then it dipped down to 11.9/11.8 when i pushed it with the radio/ac/headlights. Then the same warning popped back up.
Think its the voltage regulator or did I buy an entirely bad alternator from bosch?
Think its the voltage regulator or did I buy an entirely bad alternator from bosch?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
Yep the alternator is not functioning. Did a Bosch unit or Valeo unit come off the car? They are not the same and even if it physically fits sometimes it will not work.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 31
Likes: 2
From: Miami FL
2010 E350
Not sure which kind came off the car, this is where i bought the new alternator
http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sk...3-1911213.html
The thing is the car worked fine for a good 1-2 months after installing the new alternator, now the problems are creeping up.
http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sk...3-1911213.html
The thing is the car worked fine for a good 1-2 months after installing the new alternator, now the problems are creeping up.
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From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
There is a thread on this forum on the different types of Bosch alternators. The correct one must be installed as they have different characteristics.
Are all the connections on the new alternator tight? Battery terminals not corroded ?
Are all the connections on the new alternator tight? Battery terminals not corroded ?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 31
Likes: 2
From: Miami FL
2010 E350
Im going to check the connections right now, who knows maybe the wire just came loose over time? the battery terminals are in great condition, just replaced the battery today.
Do you know what the specific bosch work? according to the online store this was suppose to.
Do you know what the specific bosch work? according to the online store this was suppose to.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 31
Likes: 2
From: Miami FL
2010 E350
FIXED!! It was a loose connection on the bottom of the alternator. I crawled under the car, took the cover off and tighten the bolt back up, I beared down on it this time haha Thank you so much for the help guys! I couldn't have done it without you!!
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From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
Is there a smiley with drool running down the corner of the mouth?
he he...
DOH!
My alternator went bad a couple months after it was repaired,
but it was under warranty, but had do the job twice.
he he...
DOH!
My alternator went bad a couple months after it was repaired,
but it was under warranty, but had do the job twice.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Central CA
C230 Kompressor
Sound system addition
hello..I have been reading posts about the alternator issues, and saw in this thread that sound system upgrades may cause some problems? I am having issues with my alternator (more and more frequent BATTERY ALTERNATOR red warnings) and today a loss of ESP and sudden AC shutoff.
I installed a new subwoofer in the trunk (not big, just to even out sound) over a year ago...could this be negatively affecting my alternator? I checked the battery at idle...13.4 Volts.
Please help!
I installed a new subwoofer in the trunk (not big, just to even out sound) over a year ago...could this be negatively affecting my alternator? I checked the battery at idle...13.4 Volts.
Please help!
Junior Member
Joined: May 2012
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02C230kM111 manual
Red battery/alternator light
hmm i have this problem too!
replaced alt about 7 months ago // has a 36 mo warranty
has new battery
i can't drive because the red light comes on right after start
i will overheat with no fan its 105F out!
took the ALT out had it checked...passed & battery is new
is this the case, they gave me the wrong Alternator? ahhhh! but why seven months later!
I cant remember what came off it & i will look to see whats on it, however i do remember having to change the pulley..
Junior Member
Joined: May 2012
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02C230kM111 manual
..yeah I think maybe the Voltage Regulator may be the culprit
because @ idle/rev the volts go off the chart, my machine only reads to 15 or so ..but I had it tested and it passed but maybe that test does not include the Voltage Regulator ??
..also I have no power seats but I am getting a slow drain from somewhere, related, I don't know ...yet!
Thanks!
~BBB
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
If you saw voltage climb to 15+ the VR is toast for sure. You don't have to hook it up to any special machine, by the way. All you have to do is put it in dyno mode and you'll see a nice pretty voltage read out on the cluster display. Voltage spikes will cause all sorts of weird things to happen. Replace the VR.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 18
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02C230kM111 manual
If you saw voltage climb to 15+ the VR is toast for sure. You don't have to hook it up to any special machine, by the way. All you have to do is put it in dyno mode and you'll see a nice pretty voltage read out on the cluster display. Voltage spikes will cause all sorts of weird things to happen. Replace the VR.
ok
..so now does that point to something grounding out?
..I have a hunch my washer fluid may be leaking ~could it be dripping on a ground wire/ any wire
..and i hope i don't have to take off the BUMPER to take the headlight housing out to check, that would be lame and it's lame enough to have the washer fluid and coolant fluid on the same line MB
would high volts like that point to a bad relay?
i will look around on how to test/ do a voltage drop test ..i guess ..any help again muchO appreciatedO =) ~BBB
Junior Member
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02C230kM111 manual
+1
..went to place of purchase
said the voltage reg be toast boi ! b reading 17+
no questions asked
held new one with smile, placed under arm
me pop it back in BOOM we driving again doin 65 easy lots of pop
watching the volts before this did cause a draw on new battery
..enough to drain it bbbelow 12!
fuel filter/oil change/air filter next run the gas low pop some techron top it off
________me
car_______
