duvalst

It started with the driver's power seat quit working, so I checked all the fuses and they were fine and apparently it reset itself. Good. Then the next day the tail lights came on while sitting in the garage. I had the light switch in the auto position and turned them off, but the lights stayed on. Started the car and turned it off and the lights went out. Later that day I went on a quick half mile trip, parked the car back in the garage and 5 minutes later the radiator fan came on. Very loud. The car never warmed up. I started the car, looked for any service warnings, none, turned off the car and the fan stopped. The next morning tail lights on again. Started car and turned off car and the lights went out. Later I went to drive it and it was dead. No dash lights when I opened the door, put the key in, turned it, nothing. I then jump started it. I got the engine to run, but it would not drive. I move the lever into drive and engine running, and nothing. The car would not move. Again no service warnings on dash.

Plutoe

Sounds like you have a bad front SAM, however to test that hypotathis you need to find someone with advanced diagnostics---your putzing around with a volt meter won't get it!!

duvalst

It's at the dealer now and I know this is going to cost $$$$$. At least I got an E350 free loaner car.

duvalst

Car is back from the dealer and they contribute all those issues to a failing alternator.

Carsy

Good info, thank you.

Funkwagen

I'd be interested to know if it's the full alternator that is failing, or just the voltage regulator module. I've heard of the regulator just being the issue rather than the whole alternator

duvalst

They said there was a strong hot electrical smell coming from the alternator.