Alternator replaced £410!?

[Vito V6]

hi guys, after 5 months of no issues everything started in one go, bear with me please i'll try explain...

after 2 weeks of hardly driving my van it didn't start, RAC came and said its the alternator!
i was stuck so had to get it done nearby, refurbished alternator £216, rest was labour about 4 hours... does it seem right for 2009 120cdi v6 vito (w639) ?

yesterday was very cold, got a battery/alternator warning light this time and wouldn't start had to jump start it but since it's been fine

tested battery with volt meter:
13.3v with engine runing and no accessories on
14v when reving at 1500rpm
12.3v with everything off, drops breifly to about 10v when cranking to start

what could be wrong? also now the glow plugs light comes on for about 30sec after engine started!?

 

[BTB 500]

Sounds like the battery has had it, resting voltage should be about 12.6V (considerably more immediately after charging).

The glow plug light coming back on after starting normally means a plug has failed. I've had two go on ours so far, had the first replaced but am driving with the other one failed at the moment. It starts fine on the other 5 so it's not urgent.

My Vito has only done 61k miles btw so not great having 2 plugs go ...

 

[grober]

How old is your battery? Battery voltage does vary with temperature but 12.3 is low.

 

[Vito V6]

ah thanks guys, im not sure how old battery is but it looks in good condition and i think its not the original either so maybe 2-3yrs at the most

oh ok is replacing the glow plugs straight forward on the vito v6? also read it could be the control module?

mine has done 125k now got it when was about 122k

 

[grober]

It's possible that a faulty glow plug ccontrol module might be draining your battery overnight I suppose? Probably need to be plugged into Star to check it out. Nothing worse than a car that won't start especially at this time of year.

 

[Giantvanman]

refurbished alternator £216, rest was labour about 4 hours... does it seem right for 2009 120cdi v6 vito (w639) ?

Not suggesting the link is anything to do with your fault but it should set your mind at ease regarding labour charge.
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/electronics/182100-viano-642-engine-alternator.html

 

[wongl]

If your alternator was faulty, it is very likely that the battery was under stress. I would get a decent mains battery charger and recharge the battery to see if this cures it.

Chances are your battery has had it. I would suggest replacing it with a good quality battery (OEM if possible).

 

[BAZ-500SL]

Hope you get it sorted mate, it's Horriable when things go wrong with cars, this is the worst time of the year tho for them to go wrong , lol a trip down memory lane the engine of my first car blew up on New Year's Eve cold weather and young driver at the time lol

 

[Vito V6]

Thanks everyone, my journeys are quite short usually so maybe new alternator not had enough time to charge battery properly plus cold weather!

ive done a few long journeys today about a hour each and all seems ok so far but i'll see how it does over next few days and if still got issues sounds like safe bet to get new battery

Bosch S5 battery good? 100AH 830CCA and on sale at euro car parts £123 so might be good time to grab one lol

 

[E270 Owner]

Typical time of year fault dark early nights, lights, heater motors, wipers, rear demister, low rpm crawling around in traffic etc etc.

The Battery, if weak, will show a fault its been carrying all summer long without you knowing it when winter arrives.

 

[wongl]

Thanks everyone, my journeys are quite short usually so maybe new alternator not had enough time to charge battery properly plus cold weather!

ive done a few long journeys today about a hour each and all seems ok so far but i'll see how it does over next few days and if still got issues sounds like safe bet to get new battery

Bosch S5 battery good? 100AH 830CCA and on sale at euro car parts £123 so might be good time to grab one lol

What is the AH rating on your original battery, and where are you based?

This looks interesting if the AH rating is correct - Mercedes Benz W906 Sprinter W639 Vito Battery 74amp, 95amp AGM, or 100amp | eBay

Alternatively check out VATRA Silver batteries (my original MB battery is made by VATRA) - maybe one like this if it fits physically? H3 100Ah Car Battery (UK Ref 019) MERCEDES 638 VITO Petrol 96-03 | eBay

 

[Vito V6]

i live west london, think the standard is a 90ah with 700cca?

these newer ones seem to be lot better and pysically bigger at 350mm width compared to standard 270mm! but not a issue as it should fit the Vito

 

[BIG UN]

I think that you are sufferring the same problem Zenman has just sorted out, he had similar problems to you & it wasnt the alternator at all (not saying yours isnt that) he found that the main cable had rubbed through on the subframe and then shorted out. Apparently its quite a common problem on the V6 as its so shoehorned into the engine bay.

 

[Terry_]

I think that you are sufferring the same problem Zenman has just sorted out, he had similar problems to you & it wasnt the alternator at all (not saying yours isnt that) he found that the main cable had rubbed through on the subframe and then shorted out. Apparently its quite a common problem on the V6 as its so shoehorned into the engine bay.

It's very common

 

[Vito V6]

oh no really

how can i check if this could be my issue?

 

[BIG UN]

I think the only way is to get underneath to see if you can find it, apparently Mercedes have made a repair kit for this. I know Zenman had a good couple of weeks trying to diagnose the problem, so I don't thing its going be easy as I know he had to take the front end off to be able to get to it.

 

[Vito V6]

hmm but if the main cable was cut and/or touching the subframe/bulkhead or body somewhere would this not cause fuses to blow and other symptoms?

What about a parasitic battery drain test?