Toadster

Secondary stuff diminished - this is AUX battery right?

Toadster

Other message

verminator

That is the way my aux battery went. First i would get the aux functions being shut down. After a few minutes they would come back, when driving. Then I got the red visit workshop message. That is saying your sbc braking system is in jeopardy of not functioning. I replaced the aux battery and all was well. A couple of years later I replaced the voltage regulator...still all good..

turbo97se

Most likely your aux battery. When the main battery goes (from my own experience), it just gives "Convenience functions not available" Consider taking the car to Autozone or O'Reilly to check out your system .. they do it for free and can tell you if your battery or alternator is having issues. If you take a 10mm socket and ratchet, you can remove the filter above the aux battery and have them check that too. Aux battery you can get from Walmart, that's the cheapest place I have found it to be. Been 5 years and no issues with it so far.

Love amg

Check the voltage of the battery in the truck if the voltage is low then it's the alternator if the voltage is good then is the aux battery just had this problem changed the alternator car runs fine.

Toadster

My aux battery is just over 3 years old...

Love amg

I changed the aux battery first still was getting the light on the dash turned out to be the alternator .

turbo97se

Did you monitor the voltage by turning the key to position 2 and pressing reset button 3 times (doing this from memory here)? It brings up battery voltage on the IC. If voltage is low when engine is on, then could be alternator or regulator.

After that, check the connections on the batteries to see if they are good and tight.

If you feel unsafe/uncomfortable driving the car, then remove both of the batteries and take them to a parts store to check them.

If you want to check the entire system, put both batteries on charge if you have a battery charger and charge them up (taking note of which one was low), then I would drive the car to your local parts store to check it (if not too far). After all it is free.

I have not had the "Visit workshop" message on my car before, that is the only thing that would make me hesitant to tell you to drive it around.

Toadster

Ah good idea.... Should have checked the voltage... I ended up taking it to the dealer as they get me a loaner for really cheap.

We're down a car so I needed something to get around... Ugh, crap always happens at once...

Toadster

crap - potentially the alternator died

turbo97se

I would try changing voltage regulator first. For AMG seems we can get them for cheap ... Much cheaper than an entire alternator. I actually have a spare complete alternator at the house brand new just in case of emergency. I'm willing to part with it for the lowest price you can find on line if you're interested. It is OEM Bosch and is new not re manufactured ... I'm not in a hurry to sell it

Toadster

dead alternator confirmed

that's not cheap!

StarvingArtist

It's $200 on your parts thread. The rest goes to the dealer for the "cheap" rental car. You've saved me quite a bit of money over the years, I hate to see you get taken for a ride by the dealer. This is easy to diagnose and easy to fix.

Toadster

yep, i agree - not my ideal situation...

my wife totaled her daily driver so we're down to my car and our Denali - so we're a bit pinched in transport... ugh - at least I get a family discount since my son works at the dealer

novae500

Had alternator replaced on my e500 $200 part and $168 was for labor. Also changed the aux battery as well for another $100.

Toadster

Ugh - killing me......

Toadster

they had to drain the radiator, remove the lower hose, lower engine cover, etc... dang it's a lot of work to get to that alternator - fried diode on the unit

was only putting out 5v when they tested it

all better now - except the wallet is lighter... I drove past the indy on the way to the dealer, they aren't open on Saturday (nor do hey have loaner vehicles)... ugh - the price we pay to play LOL

turbo97se

Too bad you don't live closer .. would've done this for you ... I have had to do this like 3 times already unfortunately (In MY CDI, removing old alternator, putting in bad re-man, removing bad reman, putting old alternator back in, removing alternator to put in voltage regulator. ugh ...). The AMG just needs the additional step of removing the oil cooler screw from under the car to get the radiator fan out. It'd be a 2 hour job on AMG vs 1.5 hours on CDI. I am ready for when my AMG one goes out now

Can't stand going to the dealer.

Elhonaz

I was under the impression that the lower water hose would not need to be removed?! When you have the radiator fan out theres enough room to pull the radiator?

turbo97se

Well here's my DIY but it is specific to E320 CDI. Looking at the E55, there's a bunch of other stuff in the way Supercharger coolant lines (at a quick glance) that would potentially get in the way. So maybe not as simple as I first thought.

https://mbworld.org/forums/diesel-fo...nator-diy.html

justinp95

I just had mine done, $150 for the alternator and 2.6 hours ($113 p/hr) it called for labor. They went in from the bottom instead of the easier way pulling out the fan.

Ruthle55

Lol, my diodes on my alternator just melted yesterday. Reman alternator will be here tomorrow.

1. You do NOT need to remove the alternator to do the voltage regulator. Its very easy from under the car.

2. Even without using an impact, and taking my sweet time in the Michigan heat, I had the thing out in 45 minutes. It's very easy.