URGENT HELP with possible alternator / battery problem

[slimeyflipip]

Hello all,
firstly, sorry that this is my first post and its a problem.
after reading this site as a guest and searching i couldnt find an answer to the problem I have had.

car is a 2000 (x reg) e320 cdi estate with 175k on the clock and a full merc history

so here is the story

this evening i left work and drove 2 miles to Tesco to get a drink. i then started to drive home. after 16 miles my headlights start to dim and then go back to normal. this happen for about a mile and as i was concerned that people would think i was flashing them i pulled over. as i applied the breaks my abs lights and traction control lights came on very promptly followed by all the other warning lights and the engine died. when i tried to restart the car it showed all the signs of a flat battery (slow crank dimming interia lights) but all the interia lighting acted normally as soon as the engine stopped trying to start.

HELP. is the alternator, the pulley the battery or regulator. i am reasonable with spanners but i have never worked on the mechanics of a merc before and am nervous to invest time and money changing the alternator if it might not be this. so ultimately after my long windedness (I'm sure that a word) this is my question
how do i tell what needs to be repaired/ replaced.
i sadly do not have the money to pay someone to do it so i need to fix it myself
i also have a time scale issue as (due to work and parenting commitments) i only have a couple of hours on sat and then Sunday to fix the car before i need it to work first thing Monday
thank you in advance and sorry for any spelling mistakes

 

[brucemillar]

I had exactly your issue and it was the alternator brushes. Look at the back of your alternator. If it has two screws holding in an oval plastic lid this is your brushes and you remove the two screws and pull out the brush cassette. It should have a Bosch or similar part number. I got a replacement on eBay for £14.00.

This assumes you have not drooped the belt.

 

[slimeyflipip]

Brucemillar
thank for you quick response. i will try and get under the car on friday night (working very long hours tomorrow) and have a look.
the only other question i have (for now at least) is that euro car parts (the website at least when i put in my reg) says i have a water cooled alternator. does this matter
thanks
phil

 

[carat 3.6]

Sounds like an alternator related problem, did the car start after a jump start?

You need to test the output of the alternator, should be about 14 volts.

 

[slimeyflipip]

Sounds like an alternator related problem, did the car start after a jump start?

You need to test the output of the alternator, should be about 14 volts.

ok forgot to say:
recovery was useles and didnt even try to jump start the car or test the battery. just loaded her on the flat bed and took me home i havent tried testing the voltage but will try this on friday as well
thanks

 

[brucemillar]

Ask ECP if they list a brush pack or brush replacement. My car was not the same model as yours. But I was told that lots of Mercs have this replaceable part. Also try googling your car model and alternator. Also try car model and alternator brushes on eBay.

Others will be along in here who may well rule out my theory. FYI. On my car I could do the entire job from above with no more than a Phillips screw driver.

Good luck.

 

[brucemillar]

Should have said if car starts with a good battery that would suggest alternator. You can get alternator testers on eBay for a fiver.

 

[slimeyflipip]

Thanks guys. I will get the vault meter on the alternator and jump start the car. I will post an update as soon as I have

 

[slimeyflipip]

Update:
Car would not jump start. Got a new battery as suggested by a Merc technician. Still won't start. Had a closer look and it appears the alternator pulley may have seized.

Anyone know whether I have to remove the whole alternator to fix this? Or can it be done in situ?

Thanks

 

[slimeyflipip]

Sorry forgot to say: it is defiantly a water cooled alternator and appears to have a giant torx but on the front of the pulley

 

[brucemillar]

Water cooled alternators are a black art to me. I had one go on my X5 and it was £900 for a replacement. I could not find anybody who refurbished water cooled ones. You may want to have a a go on 1st choice spares (Google them).

 

[LINDS HANSON]

Hi make sure the alternator pulley is actually driving the alternator, what can happen is that the freewheeling pulley can slip in the drive direction thusc free wheeling both ways. Many alternators with freewheel pulleys are changed when they only need a £35 replacement pulley. Checking the output means nothing if the internals of the alternator are not being turned.

 

[LINDS HANSON]

The pulley can be changed in situ but you will have to remove the fan/cowling and multirib belt, you also need a special tool to hold the pulley when undoing/tightening etc available from Laser or Sealey tools

 

[slimeyflipip]

Sorry I didn't explain myself properly. The alternator is actully jammed. The pulley won't turn at all. I have been offered a nearly new on off a car being broken for £150 so I think that's gonna be the best option. So the next question is.. Is there a how to guide anyware as there are a lot of pipes that I don't know what they do

 

[slimeyflipip]

So, new alternator and new battery an car runs. Thanks everybody for all your help and advise.