Car is dead and I'm stuck in the middle of no mans land
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 147
Likes: 1
From: North Carolina
2005 E55 AMG
Car is dead and I'm stuck in the middle of no mans land
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
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
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 147
Likes: 1
From: North Carolina
2005 E55 AMG
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.
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,728
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From: Atlanta
CTSV/6sp Grocery Getter
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.
Not bursting your bubble, just stating my personal past experience.
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 147
Likes: 1
From: North Carolina
2005 E55 AMG
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!
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!
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 147
Likes: 1
From: North Carolina
2005 E55 AMG
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.
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.
?
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
From: Brooklyn, NY/Tampa, FL
2005 BLK/BLK E-Double Nickel.
+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.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 147
Likes: 1
From: North Carolina
2005 E55 AMG
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
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
Bad Idea
Senior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 353
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2004 E55
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?
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?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Gulf Coast but not Florida
GLK350, SL63 AMG
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
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
Www.mymercedesparts.com
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 11
From: Gulf Coast but not Florida
GLK350, SL63 AMG
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Toronto
V12TT
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.
IMO if your replacing the alternator I would get a new battery too.
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 831
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From: Brooklyn, NY/Tampa, FL
2005 BLK/BLK E-Double Nickel.
