new alternater cost?

[niceguy2702]

anyone got any idea what a new alternater would cost...fitted for a e280 '96?...think it may be re mortgage time?.....

 

[guydewdney]

euro car parts = 230 quid (110 amp) no stock
ecp = 88 quid (55 amp?) no stock
gsfcarparts.com = 149 quid or 93 quid
M90366 ALTERNATOR-90AMP(BQ) 210: E280 V6 112.921 12/96> 149.00 Add
M90367 ALTERNATOR-90AMP 210: E280 V6 112.921 12/96> 92.50 Add

 

[Dieselman]

Why buy a new alternator.

All the parts will be available from your local reconditioner for a fraction of the cost.

You could have them do the job cheaper than replacement.

What's wrong with your old alternator?

 

[niceguy2702]

well...its 1 of possibly 2 things that could be wrong....and i was trying to get myself ready for a hefty blow!!!!!....do you have any idea what a recon 1 would be fitted?

 

[Dieselman]

You are probably better repairing your existing one.

What is it doing / not doing?

Noise = bearings
Charge light glowing = rectifier pack
No charge = regulator/ brush pack.

Possibly but VERY unlikley the armature will be duff.

The above parts are cheap, bearings a few pounds, rectifier or regulator probably about £20 or so each.

Any recon unit will have only had the failed component replaced so could be near another failure.

 

[niceguy2702]

well...as u may ave gathered..im know mechanic..but....im going by what the aa man said .. siad its either the battery or alternator...symptons are...when startin....the battery sometimes sounds like its just got enough juice to start the car (if that makes sense)..then the red and green lights sumtimes flash when the cars started....today..i turned the engine of cos of the lights flashing...ad the car died on me as in it just wouldnt start again cos seemd like battery was flat....he started it first time when he jumped it....and checked the battery...the voltage wasnt that high...whenruning with lights on etc.....bout 12.5 to 13 on his meter...when all turned of and engine off...went to bout 11.5 !!..now he said...either the battery or alternator would be at fault......from what ive tried to explain here...does it sound like it could be either of them to you?....any help would be gladly received as at the moment funds are tight and would prefer not to go through the process of illimination!!....many thanks

 

[Dieselman]

Now that was some diagnosis. "The battery is flat so it could be somethinig on the car Sir!!"

If the battery is the original then it almost certainly a gonner. the simptoms point to the battery as it doesn't even have a second go at starting, it just dies.

Once the car is started the alternator should charge to about 14.5 volts. Yours is charging because the voltage was higher with the engine running, but maybe it's not charging fully so the battery is short of power for starting.

Once started, if you remove the tops on the battery you will probably see one of the cells fizzing, if its knackered.

You could have the battery and alternator tested but they may well tell you that they are u/s just to get a sale.

One way to test is to charge the battery by other means then to leave it standing. If the voltage drops or it wont start the car after a day or so then either it's toast or there is a current drain from the car.

Have you got another battery available to you which you could connect up and then see if the charge voltage rises to 14.5v.

Without seeing the car my gut feeling is battery.

 

[niceguy2702]

thanks for taking the time to reply dieselman......if it is the battery...is it possible for this to happen (as in the battery not being able to start the car and going flat) just every now and then?....i would say its happened about 4 times in the last 6 mnths....but as usual...when u get going and all seems ok...u tend to 4get it happened (my poor excuse for not gettin ne thing done!!!) or would it happen more often if its the battery?

 

[Dieselman]

It could happen if the battery voltage is dropping or the car is left for longer.

Some thing to check would be the water level and also if there is any appreciable current drain when all electrics are turned off.

A quick alternator test is to see if the headlights become brighter when the car is revved from idle. You may need other ancillaries on to create enough drain to see an effect.

If the fault isn't permenant then you should be able to meter the charge voltage readily enough.

 

[niceguy2702]

thanks a lot for your help d/man..i think im going to get a new battery tomorrow and just hope it is that!! one question though if you could answer.....i mentioned in a different thread that the red and green lights flash sum times when it starts....i was told that that is an indication that there is a fault and that the battery could be low (not the key fob batteries).....does that sound right to you?

 

[jimmy]

Where abouts are you? I have a battery/alternator tester, in fact most motor factors should have one and should be able to test the battery for you FOC. The tester we have even tells you if the battery is on it's way out. Its an electronic thing not like the old load tester gadgets that heat up.

 

[niceguy2702]

im in manchester....when i started it this morning....no problems started like new......then when i stopped and started again...it started ok....but the red and green alarm lights flashed again!!!!.......the thing is..its at a time when money is tight...otherwise i'd just drop it into a specialist and have em look at it....a mates gna lend me his booster pack so i can jump it if i ever end up stranded!!!.....the flashin lights are puzzling me cos in the manual it only states what it could be if they flash after unlocking the car ( it means key fob batteries need changing)..but not if they flash after the car starting!!....aarrgghhh ... any ideas are really appreciated

 

[Robby]

If its the same as used in the 190E 2.6, I have a spare one sitting here you can have for the postage cost- a 90 amp one from a 190E 2.6 with air con.

 

[guydewdney]

88 190e 2.6 alt = 008 154 80 02 or 008 154 48 02 (later engines)

96 e320 (the closest i have listd) 010 154 40 02 or 010 154 52 02

the e class is 115 amp the 190 is 80 amp

unless its the same as the 96 c class = 010 154 40 02 (yup - it is...)

 

[niceguy2702]

If its the same as used in the 190E 2.6, I have a spare one sitting here you can have for the postage cost- a 90 amp one from a 190E 2.6 with air con.

thanks very much for the offer robby!!..i actually went and had a new battery put in today and touch wood...it seems to have rectified all the probs....i will keep u all posted and let you know if its succesful.....thanks again

 

[Dieselman]

thanks very much for the offer robby!!..i actually went and had a new battery put in today and touch wood...it seems to have rectified all the probs....i will keep u all posted and let you know if its succesful.....thanks again

Now you have a new battery have the charge voltage checked. It should be 14.5v or thereabouts.

If you don't have a meter then buy one, even a cheapy-cheap one will perform most functions well.