C36 Alternator question
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Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 316
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From: New York
Stg3 B5S4-C55 AMG
C36 Alternator question
if the alternator on the C36 is going bad, is there a warning light on the dash that goes off ? Like an ALT icon. I don't see one light up during igntion phase.
Or is the Battery light the indicator ?
Not sure if mine is going bad.
The other day the car was dead after not using it a few days.
I deep charged the Varta for 24 hrs. It started fine a while ago, so I ran an errand and it started right up after I left the store.I'm crossing my fingers that its just a slightly tired battery.
Is there a voltage test I can run. Would hate to buy a new batt if its the alternator....or vice versa.
Thanks in advance.
Or is the Battery light the indicator ?
Not sure if mine is going bad.
The other day the car was dead after not using it a few days.
I deep charged the Varta for 24 hrs. It started fine a while ago, so I ran an errand and it started right up after I left the store.I'm crossing my fingers that its just a slightly tired battery.
Is there a voltage test I can run. Would hate to buy a new batt if its the alternator....or vice versa.
Thanks in advance.
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: CA BayArea
1997 C36AMG
yea there is actually
it will show u a red battery light. this means the battery is not getting a proper charge buddy! but i don't think it's the alt. it sounds like ur battery doesn't wanna hold a charge or, u have something in the car shorting out the battery
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 316
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From: New York
Stg3 B5S4-C55 AMG
Just got back from my mechanics.
Looks like the battery might be ready to replace. The long slow charge got it back up to 13+ volts before start up, then peaked to 15-16 volts w/ the car running.
Not sure if it'll stay at that level though.
I'll give it another week, if it dies again, time to get a lighter weight one anyway.
Looks like the battery might be ready to replace. The long slow charge got it back up to 13+ volts before start up, then peaked to 15-16 volts w/ the car running.
Not sure if it'll stay at that level though.
I'll give it another week, if it dies again, time to get a lighter weight one anyway.
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: CA BayArea
1997 C36AMG
ok great
don't buy a cheap battery for your car, make sure u buy one that meets the specs....i bought a Bosch for mine, it's 1000cranking amps its for an SL600 lol but i likeded it soo i bought it
. once u buy a good batttery it will last one years and also, it won't damage ur lovely car man
. once u buy a good batttery it will last one years and also, it won't damage ur lovely car man
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Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 316
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From: New York
Stg3 B5S4-C55 AMG
Arrgghh !
Battery was dead again this morning.
I think I'll get a code reader from Walmart or Autozone to read codes first before I buy a new battery ?
Also, where do I plug it in ? I can't find an obd port in the cabin.
Someone mentioned it might have a bad voltage regulator or module. Would the code reader pick that up ?
.......I have a feeling its not the battery....unless this sucker really needs a strong battery to run dormant. I have heard they do, and that newer MB's even have an Aux battery for secondary electronics.
All the functions do work though. Lights,dashlights,windows,radio...etc. Its just overnight when it all dies.
Sorry for all the ???? , but this is the first time I've experienced electical issues on a car.......in 20+ yrs.
I guess my luck eventually ran out.
Battery was dead again this morning.
I think I'll get a code reader from Walmart or Autozone to read codes first before I buy a new battery ?
Also, where do I plug it in ? I can't find an obd port in the cabin.
Someone mentioned it might have a bad voltage regulator or module. Would the code reader pick that up ?
.......I have a feeling its not the battery....unless this sucker really needs a strong battery to run dormant. I have heard they do, and that newer MB's even have an Aux battery for secondary electronics.
All the functions do work though. Lights,dashlights,windows,radio...etc. Its just overnight when it all dies.
Sorry for all the ???? , but this is the first time I've experienced electical issues on a car.......in 20+ yrs.
I guess my luck eventually ran out.
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'98 C43 AMG. Obsidian Blk w/2 tone slvr/blk interior
1. the connection for the code reader is under the dash, sit in the car and put your foot on the gas, your knee should be within about 6 inches of a small black flap witch flips down to expose the connector...
2. if youre still using the oem battery and/or have a very old one in there just buy a new one anyway.
2. if youre still using the oem battery and/or have a very old one in there just buy a new one anyway.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 316
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From: New York
Stg3 B5S4-C55 AMG
1. the connection for the code reader is under the dash, sit in the car and put your foot on the gas, your knee should be within about 6 inches of a small black flap witch flips down to expose the connector...
2. if youre still using the oem battery and/or have a very old one in there just buy a new one anyway.
2. if youre still using the oem battery and/or have a very old one in there just buy a new one anyway.
Thanks SK !
I looked at that Varta real close...and for the life of me that is one clean battery .
The terminal,and connectors look super clean.
Either that, or thats just how they age because of them being in the trunk vs. the engine bay.
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'98 C43 AMG. Obsidian Blk w/2 tone slvr/blk interior
i think thats why mb puts them in the trunk, theres no reason to subject the battery to the high engine compartment temps. having them chill in the trunk is a lot more of a hospitable environment which im sure extends the life of the battery quite a bit...
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 807
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From: CA BayArea
1997 C36AMG
yes this is
true, well, i'm not sure about ur battery man BUT DO THIS!
charge the battery full! then let the battery sit with nothing plugged in overnight. see the life of which it stands in the morning. if this is low. then u know the answer my man!
charge the battery full! then let the battery sit with nothing plugged in overnight. see the life of which it stands in the morning. if this is low. then u know the answer my man!
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Gold Coast Australia
Silver 1996 C36
A new voltage regulator is very cheap to buy online (about $25). They are very easy to install as well.
How old was your Varta battery when it died? I just replaced my OEM batteries in the C36 and also my CLK. Both were 8 years old.
How old was your Varta battery when it died? I just replaced my OEM batteries in the C36 and also my CLK. Both were 8 years old.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 316
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From: New York
Stg3 B5S4-C55 AMG
More like 9.5-10 after a week.
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n/a
Just got back from my mechanics.
Looks like the battery might be ready to replace. The long slow charge got it back up to 13+ volts before start up, then peaked to 15-16 volts w/ the car running.
Not sure if it'll stay at that level though.
I'll give it another week, if it dies again, time to get a lighter weight one anyway.
Looks like the battery might be ready to replace. The long slow charge got it back up to 13+ volts before start up, then peaked to 15-16 volts w/ the car running.
Not sure if it'll stay at that level though.
I'll give it another week, if it dies again, time to get a lighter weight one anyway.
OFF - 12.x Volts
RUNNING - 14.x Volts
CRANKING - 9.x Volts minimum
If you are out of any of these ranges, you have a malfunction.
Your RUNNING voltages sound way too high. A voltage regulator problem could be the cause of your battery getting killed. If you don't re-verify your RUNNING voltage, your new battery can be killed in the same way.
If you see a charge voltage of 15v or more, your new battery is going to last 6 months tops. This voltage can also be detrimental to other electrical components on the car also.
