Battery or Alternator Problem?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Orange County, CA
W124's
Battery or Alternator Problem?
Since last week I've been having problems with my car.
I've noticed if I run anything on my car while it's not running - the battery would die faster than usual.
Wednesday as of last week - I checked my battery and noticed my Battery Checker/Charger was reading the battery as dead and not the full 12V's.
I charged it over night (It fully charged from the Charger reading) hoping that would make things better but it still hesitates to start but after a few seconds it will turn on.
Do you think it's a battery issue?
The battery hasn't been changed since I bought the car. Which is almost two years and I have no clue when the battery was changed prior to that by the previous owner. I'm hoping it's not the alternator either.
Is there anything I should check out in the meantime?
I've noticed if I run anything on my car while it's not running - the battery would die faster than usual.
Wednesday as of last week - I checked my battery and noticed my Battery Checker/Charger was reading the battery as dead and not the full 12V's.
I charged it over night (It fully charged from the Charger reading) hoping that would make things better but it still hesitates to start but after a few seconds it will turn on.
Do you think it's a battery issue?
The battery hasn't been changed since I bought the car. Which is almost two years and I have no clue when the battery was changed prior to that by the previous owner. I'm hoping it's not the alternator either.
Is there anything I should check out in the meantime?
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Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Vancouver, BC
Enzo, my Benzo
If you have the money, just change the battery. I just got an interstate a couple of months ago and they are rad. I was having the same issues as you, then it just stopped turning over and taking any charge.
Battery swap FTW
Battery swap FTW
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2007
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From: Clearwater Beach, Florida
2016 Cls63s AMG
i had that happe too but i thought it was my alternator and was worried cuz i was broke and had no money so i took it to schucks and it happend to be the battery... and it was just not charged cuz i remember left the radio on and kinda f.ucked it up but i just dorv it around for a while and never did it again
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Orange County, CA
W124's
Thanks Guys. 
Had my friend come over earlier and take a look at it.
I'm taking it to his shop tomorrow and we're gonna swap out the battery.
Also, I checked the date on the Battery.....2001.... LOL I guess we found our problem.
Had my friend come over earlier and take a look at it.
I'm taking it to his shop tomorrow and we're gonna swap out the battery.
Also, I checked the date on the Battery.....2001.... LOL I guess we found our problem.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 544
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From: OC california
i now drive a ford p71 i also own a 1988 ford f150 lariat
heres what i did let your car run for 30 min and turn it off come back in 1 hour start and run for 30 min again and turn off then come back the next day and see if it starts if your car sounds a little week when trying to start it that should tell you that the battery is going bad 1st test will tell you if your battery got charged if it did not then it is your alternator. i think it is your battery if you ask me
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Super Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 844
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From: Orland Park, Illinois
1994 E320 (current)
Battery vs. Alt
get a meter and put it on the posts it should read between 12 and 13 cold. Have someone start the car while you are watching the meter. If it drops below 9 or 10 when cranking your battery is not holding a full charge.
To check the altenator do the test with the car running and no radio or lights on. The meter should read 13 to 14V. If it is bleow 12.5 or so your altenator is not putting out enough to keep up with the electricity consumption of the car. Try it also with all the running accesories you can; Lights, radio and God watch out for those subs in the trunk ( apparently they screw up all kinds of things including fuel pumps
) If your going to swap out the battery it is good to go ahead and test the altenator so you don't fry a brand new battery.
Hope this helps
To check the altenator do the test with the car running and no radio or lights on. The meter should read 13 to 14V. If it is bleow 12.5 or so your altenator is not putting out enough to keep up with the electricity consumption of the car. Try it also with all the running accesories you can; Lights, radio and God watch out for those subs in the trunk ( apparently they screw up all kinds of things including fuel pumps
) If your going to swap out the battery it is good to go ahead and test the altenator so you don't fry a brand new battery. Hope this helps
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Thread Starter
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From: Orange County, CA
W124's
Thanks for the tip Gary.
Anxiously waiting to get off work so I can head over to my friends shop and get my battery replaced and get the Alternator checked out as well. Crossing my fingers that it's just a battery issue because quite frankly... with the money I would put towards a new Alternator and the installation it could go into mods.
Anxiously waiting to get off work so I can head over to my friends shop and get my battery replaced and get the Alternator checked out as well. Crossing my fingers that it's just a battery issue because quite frankly... with the money I would put towards a new Alternator and the installation it could go into mods.
Thread Starter
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From: Orange County, CA
W124's
Was it pretty straight forward - installation/removal wise?
I'm thinking if I need to replace the alternator - I might as well go with a bigger one off a R129 or something.
I'm thinking if I need to replace the alternator - I might as well go with a bigger one off a R129 or something.
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: So Cal
92 500e, 95 E34 525I Touring
Belt. Plug. Bolt. Bolt.
basic.
Also, I think a more powerful battery will do you more good than a higher voltage alternator.
Look into kinetic batteries. Ive heard super mega good things about them.
basic.
Also, I think a more powerful battery will do you more good than a higher voltage alternator.
Look into kinetic batteries. Ive heard super mega good things about them.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 844
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From: Orland Park, Illinois
1994 E320 (current)
sometimes you just have to replace the points. If you can get them you should be able to do the job for like $30.00 at most. I am not sure if those alts have rebuildable points.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,491
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From: Vancouver, BC
Enzo, my Benzo
You have an 01 battery, it's only a matter of time before it *****s the bed anyway. Replace and if it doesn't solve the problem, at least you did the cheaper fix that you NEED anyway.
Do it.
Now.
Do it.
Now.
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From: Bellevue, NE
1995 E320 SE, 162,000 Miles (Sold) 2007 CLK350 Cabriolet 2014 ML550
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Orange County, CA
W124's
That's what I'm saying...
It was an Interstate battery. Then again, the car wasn't drive for 2 years before I bought it.
You're right about how majority of the batteries out there are made by the same company.
MB uses Interstate batteries.
It was an Interstate battery. Then again, the car wasn't drive for 2 years before I bought it.
You're right about how majority of the batteries out there are made by the same company.
MB uses Interstate batteries.
