Third alternator in two years
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 75
Likes: 6
From: Virginia
17 E300, 17 C300, 14 C250
Third alternator in two years
I have a 2005 C320 Sport and am the original owner. Two years ago the original alternator died at 125,000 miles.
I bought a rebuilt replacement alternator with a lifetime warranty at Advance Auto. The first alternator went 28,000 miles or 18 months before failing.
Advance Auto replaced it for free but 4,000 miles later it failed too.
Advance Auto gave me another free replacement but told me that this would be the last one as they suspect something must be wrong with my car.
I thought the voltage regulator was on the alternator so that shouldn't be the issue. Store manager said the car's computer may need to be reprogrammed to recognize the new alternator???
Is there something to what the store manager said or are these $200 made in China rebuild alternators crap?
I bought a rebuilt replacement alternator with a lifetime warranty at Advance Auto. The first alternator went 28,000 miles or 18 months before failing.
Advance Auto replaced it for free but 4,000 miles later it failed too.
Advance Auto gave me another free replacement but told me that this would be the last one as they suspect something must be wrong with my car.
I thought the voltage regulator was on the alternator so that shouldn't be the issue. Store manager said the car's computer may need to be reprogrammed to recognize the new alternator???
Is there something to what the store manager said or are these $200 made in China rebuild alternators crap?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,657
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
2005 C230K(sold), Mk7 Jetta
I got a reman Bosch by Delco remy from rock auto 2+ years ago. So far so good.
There is an incompatibility between Valeo and Bosch alternators, so that might be the issue with your second one. I haven't seen anyone reprogramming the car for the alt.
Maybe try to buy the oem voltage regulator and see if that solves the problem.
There is an incompatibility between Valeo and Bosch alternators, so that might be the issue with your second one. I haven't seen anyone reprogramming the car for the alt.
Maybe try to buy the oem voltage regulator and see if that solves the problem.
