lights dim,when esp engages
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Joined: Mar 2015
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w211
lights dim,when esp engages
when i was driving today, i noticed that my head lights got dim,when the esp engaged, i also have a kind of weak light in the speedometer,and the headlights is also weak.
i have mounted a new ground from the engine to the chassie.could it be the alternator that is starting to get bad,when i use the volt menu in the dash/speedometer,it says 13.8v-14.1v,its mostly 13.8 when the car is cold, and when its warm,its allmost 14.1v hole the time.
What you thing??
LarsTheCodman
i have mounted a new ground from the engine to the chassie.could it be the alternator that is starting to get bad,when i use the volt menu in the dash/speedometer,it says 13.8v-14.1v,its mostly 13.8 when the car is cold, and when its warm,its allmost 14.1v hole the time.
What you thing??
LarsTheCodman
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 242
Likes: 18
W211 320CDI -04, W210 270CDI -01
Sounds like voltage/grounding problem, but hard to say where. Your Charging voltage is good, try measure from battery poles too to ensure all battery leads are tight and sound. See there is no flood in under aux battery and front/rear SAM, pre fuse box leads in passenger footwell not corroded.
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 242
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W211 320CDI -04, W210 270CDI -01
Just normal signs of moisture, corrosion... I once saw nice pictures of ML rear sam circuit board where large part of board back was under white corrosion... You should also see if your charge current is altering just when ESP triggers on, it may have been stabilized later when you put your display on. You mentioned you renewed your earth strap between engine block, double check that now.
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 238
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From: Toronto
2009 e class 2012 ml350
when i was driving today, i noticed that my head lights got dim,when the esp engaged, i also have a kind of weak light in the speedometer,and the headlights is also weak.
i have mounted a new ground from the engine to the chassie.could it be the alternator that is starting to get bad,when i use the volt menu in the dash/speedometer,it says 13.8v-14.1v,its mostly 13.8 when the car is cold, and when its warm,its allmost 14.1v hole the time.
What you thing??
LarsTheCodman
i have mounted a new ground from the engine to the chassie.could it be the alternator that is starting to get bad,when i use the volt menu in the dash/speedometer,it says 13.8v-14.1v,its mostly 13.8 when the car is cold, and when its warm,its allmost 14.1v hole the time.
What you thing??
LarsTheCodman
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Joined: Mar 2015
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w211
i have measured the volt output at the headlights, they are 11.7 volt,when the battery was 12.4v-12.5v.i have also checked the front&rear sam,both looked good.i have checked and cleaned the ground under the hood, and the one near the rear sam.the battery terminals looks good.where are the other grounds?,and what more should i check??
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From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
Some voltage drop at big consumer like headlight is normal, but you have 0.7v and that is not normal.
Check your connectors. Also confirm the voltage on battery terminals or at least on jumping peg under the hood.
Cluster usually shows 0.5v lower than actual charging voltage, so 14.1v there might be overcharge.
How old are alternator brushes?
Check your connectors. Also confirm the voltage on battery terminals or at least on jumping peg under the hood.
Cluster usually shows 0.5v lower than actual charging voltage, so 14.1v there might be overcharge.
How old are alternator brushes?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2015
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w211
i will try to go check the jumping peg for voltage, how much should it be there??
i dont have any history on the alternator,but its covered with mud and oil, cause the previous owner did not have the skid plates, i have mounted a new one,should i also remove the alternator and clean it?? the car has now 428,000km
Thanks for reply
Regards from:Lars
i dont have any history on the alternator,but its covered with mud and oil, cause the previous owner did not have the skid plates, i have mounted a new one,should i also remove the alternator and clean it?? the car has now 428,000km
Thanks for reply
Regards from:Lars
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From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
At that kilometerage you will have pretty good bet for new brushes aka voltage regulator.
Charging voltage should be close to 14V after start and 13.5-13.7V maintaining.
Charging voltage should be close to 14V after start and 13.5-13.7V maintaining.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2015
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w211
i have mounted new brushes,and voltage regulator,and its still i 11.7volt at the headlight, the strange thing is that when i turn the key to "on" position,and measure the volt output at the headlights, its 12.6,but when i start the car,the voltage drops to 11.7...do anybody have an idea what i shal check next?
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From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
That is a tricky one.
You need the track where the drop is. I would make long ground wire directly to the battery and probe the voltage along the wire.
Headlight/fuse/switch.
You need the track where the drop is. I would make long ground wire directly to the battery and probe the voltage along the wire.
Headlight/fuse/switch.
