2011 GLK350 rwd: does alternator need to be replaced?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 5
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From: USA
2011 GLK350
2011 GLK350 rwd: does alternator need to be replaced?
Hello guys,
My 2011 GLK350 has just been serviced at a local reputable shop (not at at dealer) for B5 service (for 4yr/40k mile service). Since the mileage was much less than 40,000 miles, the local shop didn't recommend doing the transmission fluid service yet (but they did oil change, engine air filter change, and brake fluid change)
And they found a bunch of (well, 10 of) fault codes related with overvoltage and very high power supply to central gateway, electronic ignition switch and rear sam, etc. They strongly suggested that I should take the car to a dealer and demand the alternator should be repaired or replaced under warranty which will expire within a month
.
So, I went to a dealer. A service adviser told me that the transmission service was required at 4yr, and I gave him a yes to do the job. When I told him about a possible alternator issue, he was very surprised to hear that and told me to leave the car overnight. I'm worried that the dealer may say it's nothing to worry about, or they may change the alternator.
Have you guys had any alternator issue in your GLK? And should I worry about those codes related with high, outside the valid range power supply?
Thanks!
My 2011 GLK350 has just been serviced at a local reputable shop (not at at dealer) for B5 service (for 4yr/40k mile service). Since the mileage was much less than 40,000 miles, the local shop didn't recommend doing the transmission fluid service yet (but they did oil change, engine air filter change, and brake fluid change)
And they found a bunch of (well, 10 of) fault codes related with overvoltage and very high power supply to central gateway, electronic ignition switch and rear sam, etc. They strongly suggested that I should take the car to a dealer and demand the alternator should be repaired or replaced under warranty which will expire within a month
. So, I went to a dealer. A service adviser told me that the transmission service was required at 4yr, and I gave him a yes to do the job. When I told him about a possible alternator issue, he was very surprised to hear that and told me to leave the car overnight. I'm worried that the dealer may say it's nothing to worry about, or they may change the alternator.
Have you guys had any alternator issue in your GLK? And should I worry about those codes related with high, outside the valid range power supply?
Thanks!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 1,117
A gaggle of MB's
Dealer will check out your electrical... and good to know your indie has a Satr equivalent for your GLK, since some indies have the right gear (like yours) and some don't.
So you know.. hindsight you "might" have saved some money by purchasing a dealer prepaid 2-pack or 3-pack for $750/$975 respectively - which would have given you both 40K incl tranny service + 50K dealer service. However, since you did other items indie, dealer tranny service ticket is open... you can't go back... Prepaid service needs to be used by time/14-months interval max - if additional 10K mileage is not achieved in 14 months.
Keep the beat !
So you know.. hindsight you "might" have saved some money by purchasing a dealer prepaid 2-pack or 3-pack for $750/$975 respectively - which would have given you both 40K incl tranny service + 50K dealer service. However, since you did other items indie, dealer tranny service ticket is open... you can't go back... Prepaid service needs to be used by time/14-months interval max - if additional 10K mileage is not achieved in 14 months.
Keep the beat !
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 334
Likes: 10
From: Northern California
2016 GLE300d 4Matic
Since you have put Mercedes and your dealer on notice that you suspect an electrical problem - perhaps the alternator you have stopped the clock.
It used to be, in the old days, a dealer could mumble and play with you until the warranty ran out. Now if you give a legitimate complaint that may need correcting while your warranty is in force if a problem directly related to your complaint is brought up in a timely manner after the warranty runs out it will be considered a warranty issue.
The trick is to stay on it and continue to bring it to the dealer until resolved - if not fixed the first time. You can't let too much time elapse or be casual and possibly forgetful. Good luck.
It used to be, in the old days, a dealer could mumble and play with you until the warranty ran out. Now if you give a legitimate complaint that may need correcting while your warranty is in force if a problem directly related to your complaint is brought up in a timely manner after the warranty runs out it will be considered a warranty issue.
The trick is to stay on it and continue to bring it to the dealer until resolved - if not fixed the first time. You can't let too much time elapse or be casual and possibly forgetful. Good luck.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: USA
2011 GLK350
mjhawkins2346 and fabbrisd1, Thanks for suggestions.
*** I bought the 3 yr prepaid maintenance plan, and this time the service was for the 4th year. Yeah, maybe I should have bought the 4yr plan, but I doubt the dealer would have made an effort to decode, or even read the fault codes with the 4 yr plan.
*** I'm just told by the dealer that those codes are event codes and the fault codes. Based on the dealer's test, the alternator is fine. hum... I will pick up my car tomorrow and ask for detailed explanation. But I feel like I already know what they will say... uhh... how these worrisome codes mean not much to the dealer?
I may take my car to a different dealer and see what they say about it.
*** I bought the 3 yr prepaid maintenance plan, and this time the service was for the 4th year. Yeah, maybe I should have bought the 4yr plan, but I doubt the dealer would have made an effort to decode, or even read the fault codes with the 4 yr plan.
*** I'm just told by the dealer that those codes are event codes and the fault codes. Based on the dealer's test, the alternator is fine. hum... I will pick up my car tomorrow and ask for detailed explanation. But I feel like I already know what they will say... uhh... how these worrisome codes mean not much to the dealer?
I may take my car to a different dealer and see what they say about it.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 861
Likes: 38
From: Philly area
350 GLK, C280
Dealers make money whether you pay or the factory pays, so I would think that any chance they get to replace something would go towards keeping the mechanics paid. Sure they make more if you pay because they get profit on the part. If the dealer doesn't know something and just passes it off, then I would search for a different dealer as you are doing.
Unfortunately an intermittent connection in the alternator or associated wiring can allow the alternator output to go quite high throwing a code. This is hard to test for in a static situation with out bumps and turns. The dealer should reset the codes and look for a repeat. Bad connections in today's vehicles with thousands of cable s and connectors can be a nightmare to find.
Unfortunately an intermittent connection in the alternator or associated wiring can allow the alternator output to go quite high throwing a code. This is hard to test for in a static situation with out bumps and turns. The dealer should reset the codes and look for a repeat. Bad connections in today's vehicles with thousands of cable s and connectors can be a nightmare to find.
