Mar 28, 2016, 07:21 PM
Last edit by: IB Nolan
Table of Contents "S55's Endless Build Thread"
1. Car Forklifted Onto Delivery Truck Because Auction Had No Key
2. Finally Sees Car and Damage In Person on Delivery Truck
3. Videos of S-Class Forklifted Off Delivery Truck And Slid Into Garage
4. Additional Rear-End Damage Photos
5. Cost Breakdown For Vehicle and Parts as of 3/12/16
6. Key Arrives! First Start Up.
7. First Test Drive, Warning Lights Abound
8. Fixed Electrical Issues(?), Replaced Battery and Alternator
9. New Woodgrain Steering Wheel Installed
1. Car Forklifted Onto Delivery Truck Because Auction Had No Key
2. Finally Sees Car and Damage In Person on Delivery Truck
3. Videos of S-Class Forklifted Off Delivery Truck And Slid Into Garage
4. Additional Rear-End Damage Photos
5. Cost Breakdown For Vehicle and Parts as of 3/12/16
6. Key Arrives! First Start Up.
7. First Test Drive, Warning Lights Abound
8. Fixed Electrical Issues(?), Replaced Battery and Alternator
9. New Woodgrain Steering Wheel Installed
I finally bought it Fellas!
Thread Starter
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Acura TL 2008 - Acura MDX 2012
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.
Thread Starter
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Acura TL 2008 - Acura MDX 2012
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!
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From: middle o' ma
15 AMG S63 4-matic coupe
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2015 S550
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.
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From: Frisco, TX
2014 E350 Sport
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.
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From: Vancouver, BC
CLS55 AMG
you need to pull the fan out in order to get the alternator out. Fan is two or three clips and the wire harness
Thread Starter
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Acura TL 2008 - Acura MDX 2012
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.
I would drive it over myself but I'm scared it the electronics will start wigging out on me again.
Last edited by mercedesbenzs55; Mar 19, 2016 at 08:39 PM.
Thread Starter
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Acura TL 2008 - Acura MDX 2012
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.
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.
Last edited by mercedesbenzs55; Mar 19, 2016 at 09:00 PM.
Thread Starter
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Acura TL 2008 - Acura MDX 2012
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?
Is that your car right now?
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NA
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.
Thread Starter
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Acura TL 2008 - Acura MDX 2012
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.
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2002 C240 (W203) 2007 R500 (W251)
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" ???
"That sounds like a good idea" ???
Thread Starter
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Acura TL 2008 - Acura MDX 2012
But hey! I learned alot along the way!
Last edited by mercedesbenzs55; Mar 20, 2016 at 12:19 PM.
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From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
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?
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...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.
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2016 C300
Originally Posted by 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.
...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.
Great! I went ahead and started removing the dashboard and front seats. Now off to AutoZone to get some Draino and wax.
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Acura TL 2008 - Acura MDX 2012
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.
Thats my best attempt at being a boy racer like Mike. I'm just missing the aftermarket 20s, the loud exhaust, spoiler.
Last edited by mercedesbenzs55; Mar 20, 2016 at 02:35 PM.
