dansamg

I was going along the highway tonight and I got the old "aux battery voltage low" warning, then several minutes later I got the same message on the command screen. Soon after the command shut off.
I had the aux battery replaced about 5 months ago, so I wasn't to happy to see that.
I stopped to get gas, but when I went to start the car - nothing - battery is completely dead.
I never got a battery/alternator warning light at all.

I did some searches, but they are all pretty dated.
The guy in the garage was able to test the battery in the trunk and he said it was OK, it just needed charging.
I'm trying to figure out a way to get the main battery charged so I can get home in the morning. I'm hoping the charged battery will last the journey.

So maybe i need to start looking at the alternator?
I saw some comments about starting with the voltage regulator, and then tons of comments about $1000.00 to get a new alternator at the dealer.

Has anyone got any more recent advise on getting the alternater replaced?
I would probably be able to tackle the project my self, but I need a good price for an alternater, or should I still start with the voltage regulator?

This is turning out to be a crappy week - blow rear tire, bent rim, now this!

Thanks for any help

FASN8N

Start with the cheapest parts first, try the regulator

shardul

iTrader: (1)

yes start with the voltage regulator

dansamg

some are saying that these Alternators are rock solid which would lead me to the voltage regulator.
I just hope I can get the battery to hold for the journey home. I dont want to get stuck on the side of the road in back country South carolina.

FASN8N

Just FYI. Years ago I had a mustang with a bad alternator and it killed a brand new fully charged battery within 15-20min of driving.
Not bursting your bubble, just stating my personal past experience.

dansamg

is the regulator on available at the dealer?

I'm hours away from any dealer
Thanks for the advice.

TopEndS62

im living proof that the alternators are not rock solid... VR did not solve my issues.

dansamg

your old post was one of the ones I dug up.

Why is there never a simple answer on these cars.

Every time I tell my wife something about this car she just replies
"what another $1500"

trouble is she is right!

outrun

Time for a new wife.

nicco

If you hook up something like scangauge, what should your voltage read??

AWOL

you can read battery voltage when you put the car in dyno mode. Like everyone said, start with the VR. Mine happened to be the whole alternator as well.

emoving

My 04 needed a new alternator at 40k.

dansamg

Anyone ever gone the route of a remanufactured Alternator.
I see a ton on the internet - Bosch replacements for a few hundred vs the $600 new.
Dealer wants $985.00 to replace.
the voltage regulator is $85 new and from the burning electrical smell under the hood I'm thinking the alternator is finished.

Yuille36

What is the purpose of the Auxillary Battery anyway, as the E63 only has one. Help me understand this ?

TopEndS62

+1. I tried to ignore the signs. I even went and bought the voltage regulator. After I changed the voltage regulator i was still getting the burning electrical smell. Its a gamble but you have all the signs of a bad alternator.

dansamg

well, I changed out the Voltage regulator and that wasn't it.
I pulled up the voltage of the battery and there was no difference when I started the car (11.9)
It was a good starting point, but I guess I will replace the whole unit.
FWIW - Advanced Auto sells a brand new Bosch unit for $340.00 plus core charge. Autozone only sells a remanifactured one for $280.
I just have to find a good shop to switch it out as it looks like it will be a pain in the rear to get that thing out.

Thanks for all the help guys

Hellzno

I am pretty sure the aux battery is for SBC.

gambari

Will probably cost more than 1500...and the AMG Bad Idea

outrun

True. But new young tail usually prevails over all. Money. Power. Everything.

How many stupid things have you done in your life just to get some? Going somewhere, doing something in the hopes only to have to wait longer? Then finally that feeling you get when you enter a woman's bedroom for the first time? That feeling right there...I'll take that over money and power any day.

Might cost more. But worth it?

grane

Look for a Batteries Etc or

Www.mymercedesparts.com

grane

Hey buddy, G500 has one too, nice to hear from you. I'm going to Lime Rock this weekend how about you?

JonMBZ

Yep!

benz_addict

The reason alternators fry is because they work really hard to bring the battery upto charge. If you have a old battery replace it asap and make sure the test of the charging system works. My alternator was fried few days ago. Melting plastics everywhere. I tired to change the regulator but no luck. Good thing I found one for under 300 bucks. It really is a ***** to get it out and had to disconnect a bunch of coolant lines.

IMO if your replacing the alternator I would get a new battery too.

TopEndS62

Great advice. I did the same. My battery lost a lot of its life due to the bad alternator.

harjothundal

VR was a no go for me... Bad alternator here as well..