W203 C230 Coupe - Alternator replacement - How Long?

[ched999uk]

Had all sorts of warnings on dash when starting from cold, started with light sensor visit workshop etc. Went to localish specialist (Gary Warburton/Fleetwood) he hooked it up and said the alternator was charging OK but some over voltage errors. He said he had seen this before and it might be alternator or ECU not communicating with alternator.

I tried the extra menu to get voltage up on dash and saw some big spikes (18V) but didn't know if alternator or ECU faulty reporting.
So I bought a little digital storage oscilliscope and managed to capture the voltage spike as it's intermittent. Anyway got alternator model number off back and it's a Valeo sg12b062. Merc can only supply Bosch and I have read on various forums that seem to suggest best to keep to same brand. So found local (Preston, West Lancs Auto Electrics) company who had a refurbished sg12b062. Gary in Fleetwood didn't manage to get back to me on a quote despite 2 calls (wife and hos son took messages). So had to get it fixed at local non merc specialist.

Anyway sorry for long post. Question is how long should it take a garage (non merc specialist) to replace the alternator?

Thanks

 

[grober]

Why not ask them? Off the top of my head-- 1 hour depending on how easy it is to get at and how much other stuff you have to remove to get at it??

 

[ched999uk]

Why not ask them? Off the top of my head-- 1 hour depending on how easy it is to get at and how much other stuff you have to remove to get at it??

I took it for the garage to see and he guessed at an hour or 2 but when I dropped it off he said he had looked it up and the book time was about 5hrs!!!!!!
I searched a fair bit and from what I can find it should be an hour or 2. Even Merc only quoted £300 inc vat (and needed it for less than half a day) to replace but they only supply Bosch and i am worried that that could cause more issues.

Hopefully he will be able to do it in a reasonable time.
I would do it but it's freezing out side and I have no garage :-(

Cheers for your reply

 

[ched999uk]

Alternator changed, fault codes cleared and garage charged 2 hrs labour.
So far voltages looking better 14.0 on tickover (13.8 old alternator) and 14.5 while driving (old 14.2).
So far no dash warnings or voltage spikes so fingers crossed it is sorted.

Thanks

 

[xxvodkakingxx]

Was likely a faulty regulator on the alternator. You can get them and replace them. I had the same on a bmw a while ago. Glad you got it sorted now though.

 

[ched999uk]

Was likely a faulty regulator on the alternator. You can get them and replace them. I had the same on a bmw a while ago. Glad you got it sorted now though.

Yes I agree it was probably the regulator.
The cheapest reg I could find was £95 delivered. So by the time I factor in extra time for garage to swap reg, the possibility of it not just being the reg and the possibility of bearings becoming noisy it was probably only about £50 more to get a fully refurbed one with 18 month guarantee.

I would have done it myself if the weather had been better. I don't have a garage so didn't fancy freezing my fingers off

All seems good now.

Thanks