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!
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 804
Likes: 74
From: Staten Island, NY
2010 MB S550, 2017 MB SLC 300
Dude, I have given you every benefit of the doubt when it's come to this project. However, if you don't know the basic function of an alternator than you need to stop trying to fix this car on your own. You don't have a grasp of basic mechanics. Either bring it to a mechanic and get it worked on or get rid of it.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 51
Likes: 1
s280 w140 chassis and w140 s600sel
Hi Thomas - I assume you misunderstood something re. the alternator etc. - I don't blame you if you are a little embarrassed from the senior's comment - I'm no mechanic but I'm smart enough to work things out if the information is free flowing - I'll give u a hand if you like? I have an auto electrician that doesn't mind answering a few questions - could you link me to that thread and I'll reply politely - WTF really is a caustic phrase when you enter a forum looking for help.
Steve
Steve
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 51
Likes: 1
s280 w140 chassis and w140 s600sel
For instance on utube a W140 owner mentioned that if your battery doesn't measure 12.5v in the morning after its sat all night then its probably stuffed and may not be the alternator!
Yeah that's a srprise isn't it - the mechanic said that even if the battery starts the car well it may still be no good!
Steve
Yeah that's a srprise isn't it - the mechanic said that even if the battery starts the car well it may still be no good!
Steve
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,653
Likes: 560
2016 C300
Originally Posted by stephenmay
Hi Thomas - I assume you misunderstood something re. the alternator etc. - I don't blame you if you are a little embarrassed from the senior's comment - I'm no mechanic but I'm smart enough to work things out if the information is free flowing - I'll give u a hand if you like? I have an auto electrician that doesn't mind answering a few questions - could you link me to that thread and I'll reply politely - WTF really is a caustic phrase when you enter a forum looking for help.
Steve
Steve
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 681
Likes: 81
From: ToRonTo, OnTaRiO, Khanaadah
s550
To OP, I rooted from you from the beginning (well, everyone is..in one way or other) and i still am rooting for you. But you are on a path to self-destruct.
You keep putting the carriage before the horse.
Please Please Please Please Please Please get this car scanned with the right tool. That should have been the very first thing. STOP buying parts for no reason until you are certain you need it. The S-Class is a moneypit when it comes to repairs.Do things in the right order and there is a chance you might get this car on the road in no time.
You keep putting the carriage before the horse.
Please Please Please Please Please Please get this car scanned with the right tool. That should have been the very first thing. STOP buying parts for no reason until you are certain you need it. The S-Class is a moneypit when it comes to repairs.Do things in the right order and there is a chance you might get this car on the road in no time.
Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 204
Likes: 18
From: Connecticut
2018 E400 Coupe | 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge
If you've measured the voltage of the accessory battery while disconnected, the alternator will have no effect on that measurement.
If you measure the disconnected accessory battery at 12.6-12.8v, then it does appear to be a voltage regulator issue.
Use a methodical, parts conservative approach to debugging your issues. You are on the right track. You just need to ensure that the replacement accessory battery is at or near 100% state of charge.
I know from personal experience when a dealer parts department battery was given to me at less than fully charged, installing it in that state may have resulted in the same errors.
I more or less killed an almost new AGM battery by letting the car sit for months at a time with insufficient time to fully charge.
In this case I pulled the battery since it was unable to hold a charge, the parts dept tested it and gave me a new one at no additional charge. That one worked fine and all the errors went away.
Once you have the proper voltage, then if issues persist, you can have the car scanned (more worthwhile to just buy a star diagnostics system). If you brought it to the dealer, they'd just replace the accessory battery with a fully charged new battery and then go from there.
If you measure the disconnected accessory battery at 12.6-12.8v, then it does appear to be a voltage regulator issue.
Use a methodical, parts conservative approach to debugging your issues. You are on the right track. You just need to ensure that the replacement accessory battery is at or near 100% state of charge.
I know from personal experience when a dealer parts department battery was given to me at less than fully charged, installing it in that state may have resulted in the same errors.
I more or less killed an almost new AGM battery by letting the car sit for months at a time with insufficient time to fully charge.
In this case I pulled the battery since it was unable to hold a charge, the parts dept tested it and gave me a new one at no additional charge. That one worked fine and all the errors went away.
Once you have the proper voltage, then if issues persist, you can have the car scanned (more worthwhile to just buy a star diagnostics system). If you brought it to the dealer, they'd just replace the accessory battery with a fully charged new battery and then go from there.
Last edited by MrRat; Mar 21, 2016 at 09:16 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 379
Likes: 38
From: middle o' ma
15 AMG S63 4-matic coupe
Yes it will cost money but... you will save a fortune by not throwing good money after bad.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 379
Likes: 38
From: middle o' ma
15 AMG S63 4-matic coupe
Gee after you get the S back together you should consider something to add to the garage that is a little more sporty.
This only looks like you have to bolt the missing parts back on.
http://www.copart.com/us/Lot/16361536
This only looks like you have to bolt the missing parts back on.
http://www.copart.com/us/Lot/16361536
Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 79
Likes: 3
In for some Rubber Mallet action. 
What are the +- on bets for the new "alternator" fixing the current issue?
OP, I sever heard of Alternators go bad for cars under 100k miles, unless they had fluids spill on them. I hope wherever you ordered it from will accept returns.
What are the +- on bets for the new "alternator" fixing the current issue?
OP, I sever heard of Alternators go bad for cars under 100k miles, unless they had fluids spill on them. I hope wherever you ordered it from will accept returns.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,381
Likes: 32
Acura TL 2008 - Acura MDX 2012
I'm starting to think that we've either been punked, or that Benzs55 is the real life Simple Jack.
Tropic Thunder (5/10) Movie CLIP - Never Go Full Retard (2008) HD - YouTube
Tropic Thunder (5/10) Movie CLIP - Never Go Full Retard (2008) HD - YouTube
Haha! I love this scene!!
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 681
Likes: 81
From: ToRonTo, OnTaRiO, Khanaadah
s550
hey
Gee after you get the S back together you should consider something to add to the garage that is a little more sporty.
This only looks like you have to bolt the missing parts back on.
http://www.copart.com/us/Lot/16361536
This only looks like you have to bolt the missing parts back on.
http://www.copart.com/us/Lot/16361536
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 32
From: Vancouver, BC
CLS55 AMG
I don't think its the alternator either. Your car stayed running for a good while. If your alternator wasn't working, the engine would have drained the batteries down to nothing and died. I'm sure you don't know how an engine's electrical system works, but the batteries are only used to operate the starter motor to get the engine going. Once it's running, the coils use the electricity produced by the alternator in order to produce spark. If the alternator is shot, the coils will use power from the battery, until the battery is dead.
You most likely got an old AGM battery from the parts store. I suggest getting either a Mercedes or an Interstate battery. I recently replaced the same type of battery in my BMW, and the dealer cost was only $10 more than Interstate.
Did you put the old alternator back on? If not, getting another battery won't do you any good, unless you can run the car.
You most likely got an old AGM battery from the parts store. I suggest getting either a Mercedes or an Interstate battery. I recently replaced the same type of battery in my BMW, and the dealer cost was only $10 more than Interstate.
Did you put the old alternator back on? If not, getting another battery won't do you any good, unless you can run the car.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,381
Likes: 32
Acura TL 2008 - Acura MDX 2012
I put the alternator back on so it can run. I've got the battery in my car atm. The parts store will charge it/rule out if its defective. Also going to take it to my dads mechanic who has Mercedes diagnostic. $47. And they will go in and figure out where the breakdown is.
Last edited by mercedesbenzs55; Mar 21, 2016 at 01:39 PM.
