mercedesbenzs55

This is where I'm at.

If the Alternator is not working properly. I will buy the voltage regulator. As its not draining batteries but isn't putting out the correct output.

This way I don't have to take out the alternator and I can save a money.

mercedesbenzs55

Nah, its all intact. I even replaced the alternator so I could drive it back into the garage. The only thing I kept off are the covers under the car.

There was one bolt that holds the alternator... It took me 1.5 hours to take it off. There is so little space to work.

But on the plus side, I learned that the serpentine belt takes less than five minutes to change!

boltonblue

He has to call it 'cedes because right now it's only half a car.

mercedesbenzs55

I'm just happy we figured out what it most likely is.

DaveW68

If I was a betting man, I'd bet that the alternator is not the problem. But it's definitely a good idea to keep throwing money and parts at the car without a proper diagnosis. At some point you'll have an all new engine, trans, computers, wiring, etc. But you'll probably go just a bit over your $1k budget replacing everything in your car.

Dallas5Star

Just close this thread, he's not going to be able to get this car up and running like it was designed to be. To me, he has zero respect for our machines and brand. His refusal to get it properly diagnosed and his budget is evidence he should not be a Mercedes owner. I respected his original plan assuming it was just body damage, but he's basically abusing that S. I'm done following this thread.

xpl0sive

when you do eventually get to the body work, you and Vlad may want to see what an uncrumpled rear end looks like. Here's some photos for you for reference...

Mike5215

I feel like Benz55 and I have something in common. After my botched back surgery it takes me an hour and a half to get a nut off too.

xpl0sive

you need to pull the fan out in order to get the alternator out. Fan is two or three clips and the wire harness

mercedesbenzs55

Thanks explosive. I'm going to use those as reference. I put the alternator back on, and called "big paul" the tow truck guy who towed my car home, so he can take it to O'Reillys for an alternator check. His is truck is out of commission for a week due to a bad tranny.

I would drive it over myself but I'm scared it the electronics will start wigging out on me again.

xpl0sive

if you need anymore pics let me know

mercedesbenzs55

I believe it is the alternator. The way the car was behaving it seems so.

There is a chance that it isn't, but most likely it is.

Here she is in here current rest.


Shes reaching out for a hug.

mercedesbenzs55

Do you have easy access to the car? If so could you get a few shots of the lip where the lock latch is between the tail lights? From the top and the inside would be best. preferably with that rubber gasket out of the way so I can see better the way the lip sits.

Is that your car right now?

goosesedan

Benz55, seems like you enjoy the troubleshooting part of this project more than the actual fixing. If you take it to a Benz dealership it doesn't take away anything from the sentimental value of the car.....you go in they do all the diagnosis and give you a printed list of possible issue, then you take that list come back home and start trying to DIY. Trust me thats the best way moving forward. And plus it saves you ALOT ALOT of time wasting, and will get you on the road faster.

mercedesbenzs55

that sounds like a good idea, what does it cost?

JonMac

WTF Goose? We have to rename you the 'Benzs55 Whisperer' because 75% of posters have suggested the same route only to be dismissed and you come along and...
"That sounds like a good idea" ???

Mike5215

Wait. Mercedes dealers have diagnostic tools now. WTF? I've always just guessed and started randomly pulling parts.

KitMaddox

mercedesbenzs55

Its more fun that way!

lol, Hes persuasive! That, and I spent so much time taking one bolt off the alternator that it shoed me that I need a diagnosis or I'll be hemorrhaging money, and more importantly time.

But hey! I learned alot along the way!

DaveW68

I believe I've said that at least 20 times during this thread, only to be ignored. I guess wisdom is wasted on the young.

So what have you learned so far? That spending $12k on a wrecked "'Cedes" wasn't a very good idea? Or that budgeting should be left up to people who have a basic understanding how to balance a checkbook?

apl175

I remember that somewhere in DAS, there's a nifty alternator test that you can initiate. It varies the engine RPM, and the excitation current of the alternator, and displays this real-time line graph where you switch on electrical consumers to keep the current draw between certain values. At the end it spits out a pass or fail message. My shadetree mechanic friends thought it jaw-droppingly more comprehensive than the test they do at "AutoZone"

...not that this seems to matter to the OP. I personally would find the shot in the dark approach to be a roller-coaster of hope and frustration.

Mike5215

How Benz55 interprets this post:

Great! I went ahead and started removing the dashboard and front seats. Now off to AutoZone to get some Draino and wax.

compaddict

iTrader: (1)

You guys are cruel.
[happy face]

DaveW68

Whenever I read a new post from Benzs55, I always think of something compact and very heavy. I just can't think of the right word to describe him right now.

mercedesbenzs55

After that I was going to install my new steering wheel.


Thats my best attempt at being a boy racer like Mike. I'm just missing the aftermarket 20s, the loud exhaust, spoiler.