W211 power malfunction
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e320
W211 power malfunction
I have a 2003 W211 that will lose power to the cigarette lighter, dome lights, blower fan ac/heater and to the seats after driving a short distance. After turning the ignition off and then restarting the car, the power to the above items will work, however, the longer I drive the car during the day the faster the power shuts off. Any help would be great.
Thank you,
David
Thank you,
David
Last edited by babylon75; Jul 6, 2018 at 06:52 PM. Reason: something to add
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Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Southern California
You get a message on the dash that says something like "battery protection: convenience functions temporary unavailable"? If so, most likely issue is the voltage regulator is wearing out. It is a simple DIY replacement. If you plan on replacing the part yourself, get a Bosch Voltage Regulator, it is roughly $80 and make sure you disconnect the battery before replacing it! Also, your battery may be getting weak, possibly due to the voltage regulator going bad. If you have replaced the battery within the last 2-4 years and have never replaced the VR, I would go with replacing the VR first. Then run the car and see if your voltage on the battery is good. You can google search replacing Voltage Regulator and there will be lots of instructions online.
So in summary, I would check the condition of the VR first. If the brushes are worn out, replace it with a Bosch VR. Do not use any other brand! Other cheaper VRs will cause problems. Then check the condition of the battery. I do not suspect it is the actual alternator as those rarely go bad.
So in summary, I would check the condition of the VR first. If the brushes are worn out, replace it with a Bosch VR. Do not use any other brand! Other cheaper VRs will cause problems. Then check the condition of the battery. I do not suspect it is the actual alternator as those rarely go bad.
Last edited by F1Fan; Apr 8, 2020 at 12:42 PM.
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This place is a joke.
STOP with the voltage regulators already! This is a 17+ year old platform, the entire alternator should be replaced. The urban legend of replacing the voltage regulator only stems from a 15+ year old recall when the cars were NEW because MB did not want to pay for a full alternator replacement. Just let it go!
Last edited by E55Greasemonkey; Apr 8, 2020 at 12:52 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Southern California
Replacing the VR is not an urban legend. Maybe it is to you, but it sure has SOLVED problems for lots of W211 owners, especially early models that have NEVER had them replaced. So quit your whining and let the OP decide for himself.
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This place is a joke.
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2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
As for the oil, in the old days you used to change the filter every other oil change but now pretty much everyone changes it with every oil change. You could probably still do that if you're using a Fram Ultra cartridge.
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Joined: Oct 2017
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From: Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.
2004 W211 E320 Sport
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I'll test the voltage regulator, and the alternator. I've got a 1,000 mile trip from FL to VA ahead of me next week, hoping the A/C fan works REALLY well!
Additional input appreciated, and welcome
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Last edited by vagt6; Apr 8, 2020 at 04:03 PM.
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Member
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 87
Likes: 11
From: Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.
2004 W211 E320 Sport
Well, it's still malfunctioning. Same deal. Both cig lighters work intermittently. Replaced fuses, moved both to front and rear position in the fuse box (there are two positions for the cig lighter fueses: the inward plug makes them hot all the time; the outward, on with ignition switch).
Stumped.
Stumped.
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