Questioning alternator
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
2010 e350, 2006 e350, 2006 C350, 2003 E320
Questioning alternator
Good Morning,
So I just got out of the hospital 5 months, (no one started my car) . and my little E320 is a mess, somehow, both of the front spring broke, the battery's were dead and i had about 5 inchs of water in the trunk .. yeah..
anyway, I have replaced the springs with new Mercedes springs and, new shocks bilstein as well dont know why the springs would snap with less than 90K miles but they did,.
So drained the water out of the trunk. looks like its coming from around the back of the car, still sorting that one out.
Replaced the aux pattery, and the main battery, charged them up.. and we started fine. but it appears the alternator is dead, only had about 12. 5 volts on the main battey with the engine at idle. . and there was no change with the engine off.
So do i replace the whole altenator or just the regulator on the back, It wasnt making any noise at all ie bearings ..
new alternator is 400 + from the stealer and a new regulator is only 85 bucka?
amI missing something else it could be?
So I just got out of the hospital 5 months, (no one started my car) . and my little E320 is a mess, somehow, both of the front spring broke, the battery's were dead and i had about 5 inchs of water in the trunk .. yeah..
anyway, I have replaced the springs with new Mercedes springs and, new shocks bilstein as well dont know why the springs would snap with less than 90K miles but they did,.
So drained the water out of the trunk. looks like its coming from around the back of the car, still sorting that one out.
Replaced the aux pattery, and the main battery, charged them up.. and we started fine. but it appears the alternator is dead, only had about 12. 5 volts on the main battey with the engine at idle. . and there was no change with the engine off.
So do i replace the whole altenator or just the regulator on the back, It wasnt making any noise at all ie bearings ..
new alternator is 400 + from the stealer and a new regulator is only 85 bucka?
amI missing something else it could be?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,486
Likes: 46
From: dmv
2009 E550 2000 Honda civic mash n' go
The water in the trunk is probably because a drain or two is clogged.
Replace the whole alternator, you'll be happy you did. Especially if it locks up in a month due to age or something else mechanical happens to it.
Springs being broken is pretty common at 90k miles. After all that is alot of mileage. Keep in mind road conditions, how you drive, sitting for months at a time, and just wear and tear in general.
edit: you need a new alternator, charging system at 12.5 volts is below spec in most vehicles and especially a benz....
Replace the whole alternator, you'll be happy you did. Especially if it locks up in a month due to age or something else mechanical happens to it.
Springs being broken is pretty common at 90k miles. After all that is alot of mileage. Keep in mind road conditions, how you drive, sitting for months at a time, and just wear and tear in general.
edit: you need a new alternator, charging system at 12.5 volts is below spec in most vehicles and especially a benz....
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
2010 e350, 2006 e350, 2006 C350, 2003 E320
A Quick follow up... Got the new voltage regulator in via priority mail 2day. shipping.. ( came from CA.). so real happy with Parts Geek,, any way was only 41 bucks and after spending 500 on new front end parts. i could us a break aside from the fact bosch torqued the nuts to about 100 foot lbs the exchange of regulators was a snap part just slide in.. buttoned her up and charging voltage was up to over 14 volts so it only took bout 5 minutes to do the whole job start to finish..
