Alternator/Battery problem visit workshop

[Mike75]

Have a C180 Coupe, just over 3 years old and out of warranty. Fault display came up on the dash about two weeks ago Alternator/battery visit workshops. The warning light is on all the time.

Had this checked out by a local garage, who said the alternator and battery were OK. I took the car to my Mercedes dealership in Manchester for them to have quick look at it. After an hour and half (and £100) they said that the alternator and battery were ok, and that either I have a cable problem or damp had got in somewhere causing extra resistance in the cabling etc..

The car is functioning OK. The dealership has suggested bringing the car in all day, for them to find the problem, although that could cost me a small fortune. Have initially agreed a date for the car to go in and that they will only charge half the time that will be spent.

I have a recommended Mercedes extended warranty through the RAC, although that doesn't cover diagnosis (I find out now). So more or less useless in this case.

Does anybody have any suggestions or know of any good merc specialists in the Manchester area that don't charge £80/hr?

 

[dogsbody]

Had the same problem many years ago, went to different dealerhships diagnosed intermittent alternator - car only a month old. As it was still charging, I visited local garage, Guvnor, serving petrol, had a gripe, and he found the fault in about 3 minutes. Inspected the fuse box, where all the fuses were a nice copper colour except one. which was autumn gold.
He took it out, cleaned it, put it back and no more problems.
Suggest therefore before you spend megabucks, that you withdraw and clean each blade fuse.
Dirty contact equals high resistance connection, which fools the system into thinking that charging is not taking place - also keep a weather eye for wires which are half connected!