Battery Alternator visit workshop

[dmwc180]

Hi All

My car today going round a bend cut out and the Battery Alternator return to workshop came on.
And the steering became very hard.

I managed to get to my work and park but and after finding a few threads

i did the dynamo v check with the key in position 1 and the 3 reset buttons
which brought up
12.1V vb with engine not running
11.4 to 5 when running going up and down.

The powering steering has become extremely stiff but the car seems to drive backwards and forwards ok.
but obviously not ok to drive on bends etc.
W203

its a 2003 C180 with 188000 miles on the clock. I’m in the UK
I see from a few posts it could be the battery or alternator or something that sits on the alternator.
has anyone had any luck with replacing with OEM parts or just replaced with New to car parts from second hand or Brand new from dealer.?

Does anyone have any idea of part numbers for me to search by?

no one has mentioned losing power steering when this has happened before.

thanks in advance
dennis

 

[FlorinM]

You could get the battery tested for capacity at Halfords for example. They can tell you if it's aged or just needs a charge.

11.4 V when running is really low, so you could get the alternator checked at an Auto Electrician.

 

[steve_w]

Sounds like the ancillary drive belt has gone but then I'd expect it to overheat if the water pump isn't running.

 

[dmwc180]

Thanks for the quick replies, i will check the belts tomorrow and also take battery off or at least charge it some to see. Batteries been on it the 10 years i have had the car. The cars not moved much since it happened and was under quarter of a mile from work when it happened

 

[dmwc180]

Is it simple to take the alternator out on w203 c180?

 

[grober]

Could be an alternator / alternator overun pulley problem--- have You checked the power steering reservoir fluid level?

 

[dmwc180]

no that’s a job for tomorrow on my list. Thought i would gather ideas tonight and try them all tomorrow , my works a little remote so makes life a little harder no public transport

 

[IanW]

The symptoms sound exactly the same as when the voltage regulator failed on my CLK - even down to the heavy steering, and at about the same mileage.
I bought a new regulator including brushes (from the main dealer IIRC), fitted it and all OK for another 20K+ miles so far.
There's not much room in the engine compartment of a CLK500, so I couldn't get the alternator out; I replaced the regulator on the back of the alternator in situ. Took a couple of hours all together.

Ian.

 

[Jobsworth]

On a w203 of that age if the steering has become heavy the belt has probably come off. It’s often the tensioner pulley or one of the plastic guide pullies that has failed

 

[DavidL]

Our c55 suffered exactly this a few months ago. Same error message, no power steering. Fortunaely my wife was just pulling up the drive. Had a look when I got home and aux belt shredded, failed tensioner. All replaced and all is well. My excellent tech pointed out an oil leak probably helped too.

 

[Petrol Pete]

The belt has come off , covered in oil and slipping , or one of the items/idlers the belt contacts with has seized. Quick look under the bonnet will show you which at no cost.

 

[dmwc180]

The belt has come off , covered in oil and slipping , or one of the items/idlers the belt contacts with has seized. Quick look under the bonnet will show you which at no cost.

So a quick look under the bonnet once in work and the belt is 100% off. just now need to figure out if its just the belt or something else.

 

[Jobsworth]

Tiny word of warning here, if you try to refit the belt do not turn the crankshaft pulley anti-clockwise at all. I’ve seen people do it before. If the camchain is worn it can skip teeth. Just fyi

 

[dmwc180]

Tiny word of warning here, if you try to refit the belt do not turn the crankshaft pulley anti-clockwise at all. I’ve seen people do it before. If the camchain is worn it can skip teeth. Just fyi

which pulley is that, i will need to gte a diagram of how the belt goes and what pulley is what. is it a expensive job to get a mechnic to do if not
im assume anti clockwise you mean when you are facing the car you turn it. left so dont do that

 

[Petrol Pete]

It's a Gates belt with MB logo and part number , so probably as good as it gets. all ancillaries and idlers/tensioner(s) should turn freely by hand with no 'odd' noises or bearing 'wobble' .

Let us know how you get on.

 

[dmwc180]

It's a Gates belt with MB logo and part number , so probably as good as it gets. all ancillaries and idlers/tensioner(s) should turn freely by hand with no 'odd' noises or bearing 'wobble' .

Let us know how you get on.

your talking about the belt i have on it? its been on their the 10 years i have owned the car, as its come off i should get a replacement right i have the part number in one of my images A013 997 7492

 

[dmwc180]

which one of these is it not to turn wrong way?

 

[Petrol Pete]

your talking about the belt i have on it? its been on their the 10 years i have owned the car, as its come off i should get a replacement right i have the part number in one of my images A013 997 7492

10 years ? Time for a new one , no need to get it from MB , use that part number beginning wit 'A' ( the MB part number) to cross reference a new one. Gates is a trusted brand .

All the other numbers are relevant too . Not saying this bit is wholly accurate but the 7K on your belt might relate to the amount and type of grooves (peaks) on the ribs , there might be something like 2090 printed on there which will be the length in millimetres. More than enough info for you to buy a new belt locally , pop it on there and drive away .

Check the tensioner (not sure what type you have) has 'spring' in it . They are quite cheap to replace too.

 

[dmwc180]

yeah got a price of £49 for a new belt for my local motor factors and they have in stock on gates 7pk2418 , will check price of the belt tension pulleys as well

 

[Jobsworth]

which one of these is it not to turn wrong way?

Number 6. As you are looking in at the front of the engine, don’t turn it anti-clockwise