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Bubs | Posted: Feb 3 2010, 06:02 PM |
Plep Group: Advanced Members Posts: 4,784 Member No.: 1,079 Joined: Dec 1st 2003 Location: Update Profile | Problem Solved. Bad alternator. Car: 1988 Mercedes 420SEL 142,000 miles Problem just started tonight. When driving, the battery light will be on occasionally - but so dim that you can only barely see it when driving at night. If it's not on, turning on the high beams will be accompanied by the very dim, only visible at night, battery light. Under hard braking, like panic stop braking, the battery light will glow bright. When at it's brightest, all of the other dash indicator lights will flicker for an instant. Other times, however, the battery light will not be on at all. Hmm... This post has been edited by Bubs on Feb 4 2010, 09:37 AM |
djmisio85 | Posted: Feb 3 2010, 08:18 PM |
IDW Prime Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 725 Member No.: 23,346 Joined: Feb 21st 2007 Location: Update Profile | Sounds like a simple loose connection somewhere in the system.... Might be hard to find with the fuses, as it seems to be happening when the weight is being shifted around.... Just go round all the connections you can get to, and check them |
RDvil | Posted: Feb 4 2010, 12:05 AM |
IDW Member Group: Members Posts: 27 Member No.: 34,770 Joined: Jan 25th 2010 Location: Update Profile | When you brake, the brake lights light up -> more energy consumption, less charge, the battery light's brighter. Sounds to me like a shot alternator. Brushes, slip rigns or even loose bearings(if the contact within the alternator loosens under different strain conditions). For some alternators the brushes are easy to change(Bosch, for example), but for me the brushes just went without a warning, while the flickering, dim light meant I had to change the whole unit the next day. Didn't mind though, 130€ for a stronger 90A unit. Amp wanted more power anyway. |
Rudy | Posted: Feb 4 2010, 12:42 AM |
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Bubs | Posted: Feb 4 2010, 09:36 AM |
Plep Group: Advanced Members Posts: 4,784 Member No.: 1,079 Joined: Dec 1st 2003 Location: Update Profile | Took another look at it, took it for a quick drive. Alternator gave out. Surprisingly I can get a new one - lifetime guaranteed - for $105. Not bad, I expected it to be one of those Mercedes-only parts that is apparently made of solid gold. |
Rudy | Posted: Feb 4 2010, 12:40 PM |
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