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This whole episode reminds me of my first boat. Bought a 10 year old boat with 30 hours on it thinking it was a great deal because of the hours. Not so, it sat on a trailer for most of its prior life while every rubber gasket and seal proceeded to rot and dry out. Ended up replacing most of the rubber on the boat, and there is a lot of it. Finally got it sorted and realized I could have just spent a few more bucks and got a new boat with none of the problems. Went from living in fear every time I took the old boat out, to having a blast on the newer one. Point is, don't get so deep on this car that you end up hating it. If you have to, cut your losses and save up for a while for the right car.
They say the best days of boat ownership are the first day you buy it, then the day you sell it!
Originally Posted by Mike5215
Yeah, the space actually had two curb stops, one behind the other(?). I heard a scrape and stopped, raised the car then got out and looked. Seeing there was clearance for what I presumed was "the" curb stop, I backed again and caught the 2nd one.
I tore the wires for the DRL and corner lamp. One sensor got loose. I fixed those this morning. The cover is still not quite lined up in the wheel well and fender. Probably have to have the shop finish it up so I don't make it worse.
Ouch, ouch. Guess you timed your new purchase correctly.
This whole episode reminds me of my first boat. Bought a 10 year old boat with 30 hours on it thinking it was a great deal because of the hours. Not so, it sat on a trailer for most of its prior life while every rubber gasket and seal proceeded to rot and dry out. Ended up replacing most of the rubber on the boat, and there is a lot of it. Finally got it sorted and realized I could have just spent a few more bucks and got a new boat with none of the problems. Went from living in fear every time I took the old boat out, to having a blast on the newer one. Point is, don't get so deep on this car that you end up hating it. If you have to, cut your losses and save up for a while for the right car.
Good call, I'm watching out that I don't go over my $1000 budget.
I found a new Bosch Alternator coming in today for $530. Going to go take my other one off right now. There is hardly and clearance to work!
When in doubt, read the manual...
Last edited by mercedesbenzs55; 03-19-2016 at 12:21 PM.
TEST YOURS FIRST. It may be fine, It could be something as simple as corrosion on a battery terminal or ground post. Your budget will be 10K before you know it if you continue to blindly throw parts at this problem.
The alternator is bad because of the saltwater corrosion that was in the are when the previous owner it at the port.
You're grasping at straws again and about to spend some more unnecessary money on your wreck. In case you have a hard time reading English, there were multiple reasons listed in the owners manual as to what may be causing the red battery light to stay lit. It could be any of multiple electrical failures causing it. Get it to a Benz dealer and have your car fully diagnosed instead of relying on the armchair mechanics on an internet forum who've never seen or tested your car properly to figure out what's wrong.
Internet forums are great for helping to figure out minor and fairly obvious problems and their possible solutions. Your car is such a f'ed up mess that you shouldn't be trying to diagnose it yourself. You are going to be throwing away a lot of good money and will likely make the car worse instead of better. Do the right thing here my friend.
BTW, men in America refer to their Mercedes Benz cars as either a Benz or a Merc. To me, it sounds a little bit feminine to keep calling your car a "Cedes".
Yeah, the space actually had two curb stops, one behind the other(?). I heard a scrape and stopped, raised the car then got out and looked. Seeing there was clearance for what I presumed was "the" curb stop, I backed again and caught the 2nd one.
I tore the wires for the DRL and corner lamp. One sensor got loose. I fixed those this morning. The cover is still not quite lined up in the wheel well and fender. Probably have to have the shop finish it up so I don't make it worse.
I think you should bang is straight with a rubber mallet.
You're grasping at straws again and about to spend some more unnecessary money on your wreck. In case you have a hard time reading English, there were multiple reasons listed in the owners manual as to what may be causing the red battery light to stay lit. It could be any of multiple electrical failures causing it. Get it to a Benz dealer and have your car fully diagnosed instead of relying on the armchair mechanics on an internet forum who've never seen or tested your car properly to figure out what's wrong.
Internet forums are great for helping to figure out minor and fairly obvious problems and their possible solutions. Your car is such a f'ed up mess that you shouldn't be trying to diagnose it yourself. You are going to be throwing away a lot of good money and will likely make the car worse instead of better. Do the right thing here my friend.
BTW, men in America refer to their Mercedes Benz cars as either a Benz or a Merc. To me, it sounds a little bit feminine to keep calling your car a "Cedes".
Dave if he takes it to Mercedes the dealer is going to charge him $150. Obviously it makes more sense to keep buying hundreds of dollars worth of parts it may or may not need. Benz55 does have a serious aversion to getting the car into a professional, like it'll ruin the thread's Cinderella story if he doesn't do all of the diagnostics and work himself. Same brick wall we ran into on the frame and body work.
You're grasping at straws again and about to spend some more unnecessary money on your wreck. In case you have a hard time reading English, there were multiple reasons listed in the owners manual as to what may be causing the red battery light to stay lit. It could be any of multiple electrical failures causing it. Get it to a Benz dealer and have your car fully diagnosed instead of relying on the armchair mechanics on an internet forum who've never seen or tested your car properly to figure out what's wrong.
Internet forums are great for helping to figure out minor and fairly obvious problems and their possible solutions. Your car is such a f'ed up mess that you shouldn't be trying to diagnose it yourself. You are going to be throwing away a lot of good money and will likely make the car worse instead of better. Do the right thing here my friend.
BTW, men in America refer to their Mercedes Benz cars as either a Benz or a Merc. To me, it sounds a little bit feminine to keep calling your car a "Cedes".
Dave if he takes it to Mercedes the dealer is going to charge him $150. Obviously it makes more sense to keep buying hundreds of dollars worth of parts it may or may not need. Benz55 does have a serious aversion to getting the car into a professional, like it'll ruin the thread's Cinderella story if he doesn't do all of the diagnostics and work himself. Same brick wall we ran into on the frame and body work.
Spot on Mike!
I'm amused by all of the folks complaining about the "naysayers" in this thread (which I guess is you, me, and the other sensible people here). IMO, those folks are like the heroin dealers who are encouraging a very bad habit by convincing them it will make them feel better. Benzs55 is OD'ing on his wreck and this thread while his enablers here are withholding the Narcan.
2015- Acura MDX. 2013- Ford Explorer Limited. 2011- Chevy Malibu 2011
Originally Posted by DaveW68
Spot on Mike!
I'm amused by all of the folks complaining about the "naysayers" in this thread (which I guess is you, me, and the other sensible people here). IMO, those folks are like the heroin dealers who are encouraging a very bad habit by convincing them it will make them feel better. Benzs55 is OD'ing on his wreck and this thread while his enablers here are withholding the Narcan.
Perhaps Benz55 budget only factors in service / labour.... Everything he's bought (battery/plugs/alternator...) that's physical, is purely an asset improvement ... not an expense
So he's still on budget !!!
He's obviously a CPA .. he knows what he's doing ffs.
Beautiful car. Had one as a loaner also, but hated the way it drive. Interior is beautiful. My father has the C400 and says it's a completely different car and loves it.
I'm going to get mine tested after I pull it out. In the meantime ill see if mine is rebuildable.
Take it to Mercedes for a diagnostic. They'll test the alternator for you (and everything else.) You don't need to remove the alternator to have it tested.
I think the time to have taken it to mercedes has passed... I'm seeing a car with no backend and now half its guts out on the floor of the garage... : (
You know that thing that happens where you think your alternator may not be charging correctly, and you have to decide between pulling out the radiator or pulling out the engine?
03-28-2016, 07:21 PM
