Has any C32 here failed their battery/alternator?
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From: Toronto, Canada
C32 AMG
Has any C32 here failed their battery/alternator?
Mine is a 02 C32 and got this warning msg came up today saying Battery/Alternator failed and undervoltage low. I asked a shop to test the battery and alternator and they said the output voltage of the alternator is low. Since they don't have parts at the time, i drove the car home and planned to go back on Monday and on the way home, all sorts of msg came up and car had no power and i couldn't turn on the engine. Just wondering does any body else experienced this on their C32? and do we have to use the OEM alternator? or is there a cheaper alternative? any info will be appreciated.
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From: Vancouver, Canada
03' E39 M5, 10' CLS63 AMG
Mine is a 02 C32 and got this warning msg came up today saying Battery/Alternator failed and undervoltage low. I asked a shop to test the battery and alternator and they said the output voltage of the alternator is low. Since they don't have parts at the time, i drove the car home and planned to go back on Monday and on the way home, all sorts of msg came up and car had no power and i couldn't turn on the engine. Just wondering does any body else experienced this on their C32? and do we have to use the OEM alternator? or is there a cheaper alternative? any info will be appreciated.
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CLS55 Designo 030
I experienced battery drainage due to a control seat module malfunction. I'll recommend you check current draws on both modules before replacing the alternator.
If you call MB assistance, they won't charge you for labor replacing the battery.
If you call MB assistance, they won't charge you for labor replacing the battery.
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From: SF
Amg C32
! try to unplug power suply on passenger and driver side seats. There is 4 plugs under each seat, un plug the Big flat one only. If those two does not work it might be the seat module malfunction 
i had it replaced on my brillant silver 320. * i think it was around 1200 or 1700 plus labor... 3 years ago.... 
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From: OC
C32
If the alternator is not putting out enough voltage (at least 13.5V) then it is bad. This is an easy check and it sounds like the shop did this test. There is no way a seat module or any other high drain on the battery will drag this voltage down.
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From: Toronto, Canada
C32 AMG
thanks guys for the replys. The car is at dealer now and first step they said is to fully charge the battery now before they perform any test. This will be done Monday. I will let you guys know the official diagnostic.
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From: Virginia
2002 C32
I realize that the seat control modules can drain the battery, but demonstrating a low system voltage while the car is running is strongly suggestive of an alternator problem.
The other issue is that if you "deep cycle" (drain) the battery by running the car when the alternator is not working until the battery dies, then you probably should replace the battery also. Just my 2cents. They don't seem to hold charge again like they should.
Regards,
Pete
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From: Maine
Not an AMG :(
Mine is a 02 C32 and got this warning msg came up today saying Battery/Alternator failed and undervoltage low. I asked a shop to test the battery and alternator and they said the output voltage of the alternator is low. Since they don't have parts at the time, i drove the car home and planned to go back on Monday and on the way home, all sorts of msg came up and car had no power and i couldn't turn on the engine. Just wondering does any body else experienced this on their C32? and do we have to use the OEM alternator? or is there a cheaper alternative? any info will be appreciated.
Re: alternatives to getting a new one - there must be a way to recondition them?
Last edited by boohooramblers; Apr 29, 2007 at 02:16 PM.
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From: SF
Amg C32
The same scenario happened with me. I had the same voltage warning message for about a week and then a whole bunch of warnings lit up and the car wouldn't start. I brought it in and had the alternator replaced under warranty. I asked them to check the seat modules and they said they did in fact check them and they are fine. It's been a year and it hasn't happened since, so it was the alternator.
Re: alternatives to getting a new one - there must be a way to recondition them?
Re: alternatives to getting a new one - there must be a way to recondition them?
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From: Maine
Not an AMG :(
Here's the part #'s though:
1 x 112-154-02-02-88 (alternator)
1 x 112-154-02-02-88 (core return)
1 x 002-997-24-90 (loom tie)
2 x 005-997-62-90 (loom tie)
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From: Sydney, Australia
190D 2.5 (x2), 190E 2.6, W202 C240,W202 C43 (C55), W210 E55, W212 E250CDI
If it is a bosch alternator then it is most likely the regulator. The bosch alternator in rebuildable if it comes to that.
The Valeo alternator on the otherhand is more than likely going to require replacement. When mine failed last year valeo were only releasing them through MB. It was nil stk Germany and had to be specially ordered (6 weeks).........I wasn't happy!
The Valeo alternator on the otherhand is more than likely going to require replacement. When mine failed last year valeo were only releasing them through MB. It was nil stk Germany and had to be specially ordered (6 weeks).........I wasn't happy!
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From: .
C
Almost on topic
I replaced the alternator on my 2003 C32 last year as the front bearing went noisy. I was going to have it stripped and pop a new bearing in, but time constraints meant I just bought a new one from MB in the end. It was a valeo unit (made in France)(strangely almost everything that has broken on my car has the Valeo badge on it and France as the country of origin. Hmmm.)
At that time, I was told by a friend who is a UK Valeo agent, that MB hold the patent on the unit, and it would not be released to the aftermarket, or even sold by Valeo agents for some while to come...
At that time, I was told by a friend who is a UK Valeo agent, that MB hold the patent on the unit, and it would not be released to the aftermarket, or even sold by Valeo agents for some while to come...
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From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
A rebuilt Bosch alternator for a C32 is about $325 over the counter. The last Bosch alternator I had rebuilt cost me about $70 (brushes, bearings, paint, and labor). The last time I priced a *new* Bosch alternator (Porsche) it was over a grand. Why do you recommend not having one rebuilt?
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2002 C32, 2011 VW GTI
Mine is a 02 C32 and got this warning msg came up today saying Battery/Alternator failed and undervoltage low. I asked a shop to test the battery and alternator and they said the output voltage of the alternator is low. Since they don't have parts at the time, i drove the car home and planned to go back on Monday and on the way home, all sorts of msg came up and car had no power and i couldn't turn on the engine. Just wondering does any body else experienced this on their C32? and do we have to use the OEM alternator? or is there a cheaper alternative? any info will be appreciated.
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From: Southern Cal
a C32 AMG & S-Works Tarmac
So, do we know if this is a Valeo or Bosch alternator? OEMparts direct shows a price of $615 for that part number, which is still $220 cheaper than my local independent quoted me for a re-built.
