Red Battery light flashing on dash
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 36
Likes: 4
From: Seattle
CL600, ML550, SL65
Hello:
I just went through this with my Valeo alternator. The problem with this particular alternator is the that the brushes are quite narrow and dig a groove in the slip rings. Im bought a new alternator. The install is quite straight forward. One of the quick and dirty tests you can do is reseat the brushes with a moderate tap with a mallet. I used a long extension to get onto the alternator body. One sharp hit and the brushes reseated and it charged for several minutes.
I ended up replacing the main battery and the auxiliary as well as they were both original. I installed an Odyssey 49-950. The old battery was getting pretty tired. While cranking it would go down to 8.x volts.
Dave
I just went through this with my Valeo alternator. The problem with this particular alternator is the that the brushes are quite narrow and dig a groove in the slip rings. Im bought a new alternator. The install is quite straight forward. One of the quick and dirty tests you can do is reseat the brushes with a moderate tap with a mallet. I used a long extension to get onto the alternator body. One sharp hit and the brushes reseated and it charged for several minutes.
I ended up replacing the main battery and the auxiliary as well as they were both original. I installed an Odyssey 49-950. The old battery was getting pretty tired. While cranking it would go down to 8.x volts.
Dave
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 104
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
2008 ML350 4Matic
I changed the main battery about a year ago. I did a test that I saw on you tube and supposedly the battery and the alternator are doing as they are supposed to. I did not and have not changed the auxiliary battery since I had the vehicle (about 7 years). Would anyone recommend I change that?
I must also note that I believe my water pump went out yesterday (at the same time) because a lot coolant leaked out yesterday. Could it be that the coolant leaked on the alternator and caused the battery light to come on?
08 ML350
I must also note that I believe my water pump went out yesterday (at the same time) because a lot coolant leaked out yesterday. Could it be that the coolant leaked on the alternator and caused the battery light to come on?
08 ML350
Last edited by kino1161; Jun 28, 2019 at 09:18 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 7,107
Likes: 765
From: Bronx, N.Y.
2002 ML 320 & 2006 ML500
I doubt that you were able to check the battery and alternator just by looking at a YouTube video as it requires electrical equipment.
Do not replace the aux. battery. If it was faulty, you would have gotten a WHITE message in the cluster.
I do not believe that the alternator has been affected by the coolant leak. Have the leak fixed first.
Do not replace the aux. battery. If it was faulty, you would have gotten a WHITE message in the cluster.
I do not believe that the alternator has been affected by the coolant leak. Have the leak fixed first.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 104
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
2008 ML350 4Matic
Maj Dundee, thank you, I will do just that.
FYI. the you tube video has you turn the key to the last click before starting, check the volts, then start the vehicle to see if the volts increase. Supposedly, that is suppose to tell you whether the alternator is charging the battery as is should. ???
FYI. the you tube video has you turn the key to the last click before starting, check the volts, then start the vehicle to see if the volts increase. Supposedly, that is suppose to tell you whether the alternator is charging the battery as is should. ???
Last edited by kino1161; Jun 28, 2019 at 11:10 AM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 7,107
Likes: 765
From: Bronx, N.Y.
2002 ML 320 & 2006 ML500
