Voltage Regulator Replacement DIY- Its usually not the alternator
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 831
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From: Brooklyn, NY/Tampa, FL
2005 BLK/BLK E-Double Nickel.
have a new regulator for sale if anyone wants it... I installed it and realized that i needed a whole new alternator... alternator came complete with regulator... i may just rebuild my alternator just in case...lol
bm540w@gmail.com
bm540w@gmail.com
Newbie
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
e55 amg
nice wite up. so i changed my batterys , and tested the Alternator shows 14, voltes. and still only shows 11.5 volte to the battery in the boot. someone told me i need to reset the ecu.? im pulling my hair out. help.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 831
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From: Brooklyn, NY/Tampa, FL
2005 BLK/BLK E-Double Nickel.
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Newbie
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
e55 amg
well after weeks of driving myself mad. 2 new battery's , and 2 mb specalist later,, my family machanic fixed it.. the part i got was not a bosh part. and the ecu was not reading it and lowing the voltes to the batt..so it was either go to mb for recoding . or buy the bosh voltage regulator. i took the last option and its now working find.. so remember if you do change your voltage regulator make sure its the bosh mb one.. 
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 831
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From: Brooklyn, NY/Tampa, FL
2005 BLK/BLK E-Double Nickel.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,371
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From: Bowie, Md
2006 CLS500 with 55 AMG motor, 2008 Infiniti G35, 2000 Plymouth Grand Voyager
Loungn14, words can't describe how happy I am with you right now. I woke up this morning after months of the same freaking low voltage convenience feature message, shutting down my toys for no reason at all. Batteries good etc. Using google, I came across this thread, and after a few hours under my car, my problem has been solved.
Before, my car would idle at 12.7-12.3-11.9. But as soon as I installed the newer voltage regulator, look at the results at idle:
I am so happy right now
I did a motor swap on my CLS500 before the problems started. During the motor swap, I took off the alternator from the 500 motor and sent it out to Ohio Generator from extra juice. Well, that alternator was put in the 55 motor during the swap, and that's when things went down hill. After reading this thread i took off the voltage regulator from the original alternator that came with the motor and used it on the one from the 500 motor. Now, all is well.
Thank u so much bro.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,371
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From: Bowie, Md
2006 CLS500 with 55 AMG motor, 2008 Infiniti G35, 2000 Plymouth Grand Voyager
By the way, the two contacts on both regulators looked the same length. There may be internal damage of some kind on the one that I replaced.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 361
Likes: 3
From: Northern California
05 e55
Be careful guys, continue to watch your voltage on a regular basis to make sure it's all good... I went through the same thing, my voltage was jumping and my convenience features were being disabled... I replaced the voltage regulator and all was well, back at 13.9 consistent at all loads... Fast forward about 5-6 weeks and the problem was back... Not as bad, but still back... I noticed that at WOT the alternator would really trip, and as of recently it's completely dead... Won't produce any voltage at all...
Moral of the story, while the VR fixes the problem for some people, don't let your guard down... The brakes on these cars are electronic and the last thing we want is to lose that function at a high rate of speed...
Moral of the story, while the VR fixes the problem for some people, don't let your guard down... The brakes on these cars are electronic and the last thing we want is to lose that function at a high rate of speed...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2009
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e55
Imma bump this because i just installed my new regulator, after having my convenience features shutting down and headlights flickering on and off.
The alternator was replaced September of 2010, so its fairly new. I installed the new VR and went to autozone to get the alt tested and they say the whole alt is junk, bad diodes or something.
Im getting 14.1+ volts while driving, battery came back at 100% charge.
How can my alt be bad if Im running good voltage and fully charged battery.
The alternator was replaced September of 2010, so its fairly new. I installed the new VR and went to autozone to get the alt tested and they say the whole alt is junk, bad diodes or something.
Im getting 14.1+ volts while driving, battery came back at 100% charge.
How can my alt be bad if Im running good voltage and fully charged battery.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,212
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From: Chicago
03 E55 AMG, 06 Harley Road King Custom 06 Ram 2500 Cummins, 97 Firebird Race Car, 88 Cutlass Supreme
I trust autozone employees as far as I can pick up and throw an E55. Get it checked out at a real shop, even if they charge ya a couple bucks to check it. I know here in Chicago there's a shop that rebuilds starters and alternators that is usually a much more reliable and cheaper alternative than say an autozone or other discount parts store rebuild. If it was a bad diode they could replace it for cheap. A new alternator for one of these is not cheap.
Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 146
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From: omaha,ne
03 E55
i was running 14.1 volts on mine also but it still was the votlage regulator. i took it to and indy shop just to verify what my problem was. they wanted to charge me $477. to replace my regulator. I did it myself in about 20-30 mins for $66.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 71
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From: St. Paul, MN
2010 E550, 02 CLK55 Cabrio - sold
The part number for the voltage regulator is 0031546506 . Autohaus has them for $49. Put that number in their search tool. If you just choose by year - make - model, they will send you the wrong one 
And since they ship free on orders over $50, add a few microfiber towels so you get the free shipping!
And since they ship free on orders over $50, add a few microfiber towels so you get the free shipping!
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 941
Likes: 74
From: Orlando FL
a unicorn tuned p30 e63
The part number for the voltage regulator is 0031546506 . Autohaus has them for $49. Put that number in their search tool. If you just choose by year - make - model, they will send you the wrong one And since they ship free on orders over $50, add a few microfiber towels so you get the free shipping!
And since they ship free on orders over $50, add a few microfiber towels so you get the free shipping!why does it say huco?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,006
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e55
What does the blue wire connection do?/Where does it lead.
My indy tested that wire and said hes not getting 12V out of it when the key is in position 2.
The dealer tested alternator output and said its within range. Im having these stupid electrical issue and Im trying to figure out if that wire connection shorted or a fuse blew.
My indy tested that wire and said hes not getting 12V out of it when the key is in position 2.
The dealer tested alternator output and said its within range. Im having these stupid electrical issue and Im trying to figure out if that wire connection shorted or a fuse blew.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Santa Monica, CA
2004 SL55
Hey guys, attempting to do this right now. Can't seem to get the cover off of the regulator. It's in a tough spot, and I've only been able to find 1 screw holding the cover on. Can someone tell me how many screws hold the cover on? I'm tempted to pry it off, but it seems pretty fragile. This is on an SL55, thanks in advance!!
