Re: [MBZ] Warning lights - the continuing saga
On Thu, Dec 20, 2012 at 4:40 PM, Curt Raymond curtlud...@yahoo.com wrote: Thats my plan for next week. I don't know anybody right around here does those tests, I'll need to call around and check. It actually doesn't seem like its all that difficult to remove. A rebuilt looks like right on $100 with a lifetime warranty. Both AZ and Advance have active coupons, as I recall, if you are slumming. Check fatwallet. Best, Tim ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
[MBZ] Warning lights - the continuing saga
So yesterday I took the regulator back out of the alternator on my '84 190D. You might remember back a couple weeks ago the low fuel, brake, and brake wear lights came on and I determined there was no charging going on. I replaced the regulator and all the warning lights went out plus the fuel gauge stopped working and still no charging. So there was nothing obviously wrong with the regulator, I stuck in a spare I had hanging around which didn't change anything. While I was there I took the cover off the back of the alternator, its a PITA for troubleshooting. I even took the time to thread the wires back out of the hose. More troubleshooting reveals with the engine running theres about 9v at the small wire from the alternator which I'm given to understand is where field current comes from. That would explain why there is no charging. So clearly we're not getting enough power from somewhere (the dashpod?) to initiate charging. I tore into the dashpod again and farted around not really finding anything, 201 dashpods are a pain vs 123, they've got teeth, on them presumably to keep them from moving around, that just slash the backs of my hands, all the other lights are fed from lightpipes which are a nightmare to wrangle... I did manage to pop the fuse to the clock which tripped a lightbulb in my head and I started REPLACING ALL THE FUSES which did get the fuel gauge working again but didn't help anything else. I need to order some more fuses, some of the ones I put in didn't look a lot better (aftermarket) than the ones I took out and I've used up every single spare I had. I can't find my copy of the 201 FSM, I'm wondering if theres another fuse that might be in charge of the charging system? The last trick I'm going to try is to run a ground wire directly to the pod. I had to do that on my '83 240D, it had a bad ground somewhere I could never find. The 201 does NOT ground behind the pod like a 123 does, its down above the driver's feet somewhere which I also haven't been able to find... -Curt ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Warning lights - the continuing saga
Curt, I think 9v should be enough to get the alternator going, it doesn't take much. After the alternator starts producing power it powers the field coils without outside assistance. I suspect your problem is elsewhere. Is there any chance you shorted out the 12v to the alternator output terminal during maintenance and blew a fusible link somewhere? As a test, I'd use some long voltmeter leads to measure the output voltage right at the alternator with the motor running to confirm suspicions about the alternator. I don't have any 201 experience but I think you really need the ETM to sort this out in a logical fashion. Otherwise it's just a shot in the dark, which only goes so far. -Original Message- From: Mercedes [mailto:mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com] On Behalf Of Curt Raymond Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2012 12:27 PM To: Diesel List Subject: [MBZ] Warning lights - the continuing saga So yesterday I took the regulator back out of the alternator on my '84 190D. You might remember back a couple weeks ago the low fuel, brake, and brake wear lights came on and I determined there was no charging going on. I replaced the regulator and all the warning lights went out plus the fuel gauge stopped working and still no charging. So there was nothing obviously wrong with the regulator, I stuck in a spare I had hanging around which didn't change anything. While I was there I took the cover off the back of the alternator, its a PITA for troubleshooting. I even took the time to thread the wires back out of the hose. More troubleshooting reveals with the engine running theres about 9v at the small wire from the alternator which I'm given to understand is where field current comes from. That would explain why there is no charging. So clearly we're not getting enough power from somewhere (the dashpod?) to initiate charging. I tore into the dashpod again and farted around not really finding anything, 201 dashpods are a pain vs 123, they've got teeth, on them presumably to keep them from moving around, that just slash the backs of my hands, all the other lights are fed from lightpipes which are a nightmare to wrangle... I did manage to pop the fuse to the clock which tripped a lightbulb in my head and I started REPLACING ALL THE FUSES which did get the fuel gauge working again but didn't help anything else. I need to order some more fuses, some of the ones I put in didn't look a lot better (aftermarket) than the ones I took out and I've used up every single spare I had. I can't find my copy of the 201 FSM, I'm wondering if theres another fuse that might be in charge of the charging system? The last trick I'm going to try is to run a ground wire directly to the pod. I had to do that on my '83 240D, it had a bad ground somewhere I could never find. The 201 does NOT ground behind the pod like a 123 does, its down above the driver's feet somewhere which I also haven't been able to find... -Curt ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Warning lights - the continuing saga
I don't know for sure, either, but my thoughts, too - that 9v oughta get it started. Wilton - Original Message - From: Scott Ritchey ritche...@nc.rr.com To: 'Mercedes Discussion List' mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2012 1:00 PM Subject: Re: [MBZ] Warning lights - the continuing saga Curt, I think 9v should be enough to get the alternator going, it doesn't take much. After the alternator starts producing power it powers the field coils without outside assistance. I suspect your problem is elsewhere. Is there any chance you shorted out the 12v to the alternator output terminal during maintenance and blew a fusible link somewhere? As a test, I'd use some long voltmeter leads to measure the output voltage right at the alternator with the motor running to confirm suspicions about the alternator. I don't have any 201 experience but I think you really need the ETM to sort this out in a logical fashion. Otherwise it's just a shot in the dark, which only goes so far. -Original Message- From: Mercedes [mailto:mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com] On Behalf Of Curt Raymond Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2012 12:27 PM To: Diesel List Subject: [MBZ] Warning lights - the continuing saga So yesterday I took the regulator back out of the alternator on my '84 190D. You might remember back a couple weeks ago the low fuel, brake, and brake wear lights came on and I determined there was no charging going on. I replaced the regulator and all the warning lights went out plus the fuel gauge stopped working and still no charging. So there was nothing obviously wrong with the regulator, I stuck in a spare I had hanging around which didn't change anything. While I was there I took the cover off the back of the alternator, its a PITA for troubleshooting. I even took the time to thread the wires back out of the hose. More troubleshooting reveals with the engine running theres about 9v at the small wire from the alternator which I'm given to understand is where field current comes from. That would explain why there is no charging. So clearly we're not getting enough power from somewhere (the dashpod?) to initiate charging. I tore into the dashpod again and farted around not really finding anything, 201 dashpods are a pain vs 123, they've got teeth, on them presumably to keep them from moving around, that just slash the backs of my hands, all the other lights are fed from lightpipes which are a nightmare to wrangle... I did manage to pop the fuse to the clock which tripped a lightbulb in my head and I started REPLACING ALL THE FUSES which did get the fuel gauge working again but didn't help anything else. I need to order some more fuses, some of the ones I put in didn't look a lot better (aftermarket) than the ones I took out and I've used up every single spare I had. I can't find my copy of the 201 FSM, I'm wondering if theres another fuse that might be in charge of the charging system? The last trick I'm going to try is to run a ground wire directly to the pod. I had to do that on my '83 240D, it had a bad ground somewhere I could never find. The 201 does NOT ground behind the pod like a 123 does, its down above the driver's feet somewhere which I also haven't been able to find... -Curt ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Warning lights - the continuing saga
Hi Scott, thanks for muddying the waters ;) I agree it seems like theres something else going on. The 12.5v I'm seeing at the battery is confirmed at the large terminal coming from the alternator. Theres no way to check the voltage at the alternator because theres no lug at the alternator, just the plug that comes out to the two wires in the block on the wheelwell. So other than disconnecting the large wire at the block and looking for 12v there, which seems like a bad idea, I dunno. If indeed 9v is enough for field current then I'm back to thinking I've got a bad alternator. I wonder what my local Car Quest wants for a cheapo rebuilt. The alternator in it is 22 months, 30,000 miles brand new from Mercedes but apparently only had a 1 year warranty... -Curt Date: Thu, 20 Dec 2012 13:00:45 -0500 From: Scott Ritchey ritche...@nc.rr.com To: 'Mercedes Discussion List' mercedes@okiebenz.com Subject: Re: [MBZ] Warning lights - the continuing saga Message-ID: 0F4219F860B7448291F0C4574DB2BE08@ScottPC Content-Type: text/plain;charset=us-ascii Curt, I think 9v should be enough to get the alternator going, it doesn't take much. After the alternator starts producing power it powers the field coils without outside assistance. I suspect your problem is elsewhere. Is there any chance you shorted out the 12v to the alternator output terminal during maintenance and blew a fusible link somewhere? As a test, I'd use some long voltmeter leads to measure the output voltage right at the alternator with the motor running to confirm suspicions about the alternator. I don't have any 201 experience but I think you really need the ETM to sort this out in a logical fashion. Otherwise it's just a shot in the dark, which only goes so far. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Warning lights - the continuing saga
Can you throw ithe alternator on the tester at the local store and see what you get? My son is going through this situation at the moment on the old 4Runner. It started acting weird and the alternator was only putting out about 12V. He got a new one and put it on and all was well for a day or two and it started all over again. Back to 12V or so. He got a second one and put it on and so far so good. So, the question is whether the new one was bad or if there is something else going on that will come back to haunt again. Randy On 20/12/2012 1:26 PM, Curt Raymond wrote: Hi Scott, thanks for muddying the waters ;) I agree it seems like theres something else going on. The 12.5v I'm seeing at the battery is confirmed at the large terminal coming from the alternator. Theres no way to check the voltage at the alternator because theres no lug at the alternator, just the plug that comes out to the two wires in the block on the wheelwell. So other than disconnecting the large wire at the block and looking for 12v there, which seems like a bad idea, I dunno. If indeed 9v is enough for field current then I'm back to thinking I've got a bad alternator. I wonder what my local Car Quest wants for a cheapo rebuilt. The alternator in it is 22 months, 30,000 miles brand new from Mercedes but apparently only had a 1 year warranty... -Curt Date: Thu, 20 Dec 2012 13:00:45 -0500 From: Scott Ritchey ritche...@nc.rr.com To: 'Mercedes Discussion List' mercedes@okiebenz.com Subject: Re: [MBZ] Warning lights - the continuing saga Message-ID: 0F4219F860B7448291F0C4574DB2BE08@ScottPC Content-Type: text/plain;charset=us-ascii Curt, I think 9v should be enough to get the alternator going, it doesn't take much. After the alternator starts producing power it powers the field coils without outside assistance. I suspect your problem is elsewhere. Is there any chance you shorted out the 12v to the alternator output terminal during maintenance and blew a fusible link somewhere? As a test, I'd use some long voltmeter leads to measure the output voltage right at the alternator with the motor running to confirm suspicions about the alternator. I don't have any 201 experience but I think you really need the ETM to sort this out in a logical fashion. Otherwise it's just a shot in the dark, which only goes so far. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Warning lights - the continuing saga
Thats my plan for next week. I don't know anybody right around here does those tests, I'll need to call around and check. It actually doesn't seem like its all that difficult to remove. A rebuilt looks like right on $100 with a lifetime warranty. -Curt Date: Thu, 20 Dec 2012 13:51:03 -0600 From: Randy Bennell rbenn...@bennell.ca To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Subject: Re: [MBZ] Warning lights - the continuing saga Message-ID: 50d36c27.4060...@bennell.ca Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed Can you throw ithe alternator on the tester at the local store and see what you get? My son is going through this situation at the moment on the old 4Runner. It started acting weird and the alternator was only putting out about 12V. He got a new one and put it on and all was well for a day or two and it started all over again. Back to 12V or so. He got a second one and put it on and so far so good. So, the question is whether the new one was bad or if there is something else going on that will come back to haunt again. Randy ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Warning lights - the continuing saga
Whose lifetime? ;) Wilton - Original Message - From: Curt Raymond curtlud...@yahoo.com To: Diesel List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2012 4:40 PM Subject: Re: [MBZ] Warning lights - the continuing saga Thats my plan for next week. I don't know anybody right around here does those tests, I'll need to call around and check. It actually doesn't seem like its all that difficult to remove. A rebuilt looks like right on $100 with a lifetime warranty. -Curt Date: Thu, 20 Dec 2012 13:51:03 -0600 From: Randy Bennell rbenn...@bennell.ca To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Subject: Re: [MBZ] Warning lights - the continuing saga Message-ID: 50d36c27.4060...@bennell.ca Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed Can you throw ithe alternator on the tester at the local store and see what you get? My son is going through this situation at the moment on the old 4Runner. It started acting weird and the alternator was only putting out about 12V. He got a new one and put it on and all was well for a day or two and it started all over again. Back to 12V or so. He got a second one and put it on and so far so good. So, the question is whether the new one was bad or if there is something else going on that will come back to haunt again. Randy ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Warning lights - the continuing saga
Whose lifetime? ;) Wilton until Curt gets it home. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Warning lights - the continuing saga
Actually the one time I took back a lifetime rebuilt caliper to Advance they were very good about it. In fact they let me buy another caliper (I had to drive the car after all), swap that one in and return the leaker. I put 25,000 miles on the other one with no issues, probably 20,000 on the leaker... -Curt Date: Thu, 20 Dec 2012 16:36:13 -0600 From: Dieselhead 126die...@gmail.com To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Subject: Re: [MBZ] Warning lights - the continuing saga Message-ID: a06240877ccf943191a6f@[192.168.1.51] Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii ; format=flowed Whose lifetime? ;) Wilton until Curt gets it home. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Warning lights - the continuing saga
Napa stores around here test alternators. Call around to your FLAPS and ask. Mike On Dec 20, 2012 6:43 PM, Curt Raymond curtlud...@yahoo.com wrote: Actually the one time I took back a lifetime rebuilt caliper to Advance they were very good about it. In fact they let me buy another caliper (I had to drive the car after all), swap that one in and return the leaker. I put 25,000 miles on the other one with no issues, probably 20,000 on the leaker... -Curt Date: Thu, 20 Dec 2012 16:36:13 -0600 From: Dieselhead 126die...@gmail.com To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Subject: Re: [MBZ] Warning lights - the continuing saga Message-ID: a06240877ccf943191a6f@[192.168.1.51] Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii ; format=flowed Whose lifetime? ;) Wilton until Curt gets it home. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Warning lights - the continuing saga
Curt Raymond wrote: Thats my plan for next week. I don't know anybody right around here does those tests, I'll need to call around and check. It actually doesn't seem like its all that difficult to remove. I have often toyed with the idea of a test stand. An AC motor to turn it, and some heaters, lights, blowers, etc as a load. Not necessarily to test full output, to to see if it's close to doing what it should. It's never gotten past the dream stage. *smiles* -- Philip ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
