Battery or alternator

[XJ Nick]

Can any one give me some advice?
I have a C180 1998,friday night the battery light came on,saterday morning the car started but on returning home after about 10 miles or so with the light on it would not start battery flat. The car has done 140000 miles. Do I need a battery an alternator or even new brushes for the alternator?
Any help most appreciated.
Cheers Nick

 

[television]

Can any one give me some advice?
I have a C180 1998,friday night the battery light came on,saterday morning the car started but on returning home after about 10 miles or so with the light on it would not start battery flat. The car has done 140000 miles. Do I need a battery an alternator or even new brushes for the alternator?
Any help most appreciated.
Cheers Nick

First thing Nick is to replace the Diode regulator pack on the rear of the alternator around £20. Any Bosch agent has them in stock. Re the battery if you could charge it up, it would make things better than by trying to use the alternator for this purpose. There is no reason why the battery should be replaced if it was OK before.

Malcolm

 

[XJ Nick]

Hi Malcolm
Thanks I will give that a try.Is it a straight forward bolt off bolt on job? I have removed the alternator but have not yet looked inside.
Cheers Nick

 

[television]

Its only the little unit on the back where the wires connect to,held on with 2 screws, it comes complete with the brushes.

Malcolm

 

[XJ Nick]

Hi Malcolm
Thanks I will take a look inside after lunch. Nowhere is open today it will be tomorow before I can get a diode pack,I will let you know how I get on.
Cheers Nick.

 

[television]

Hi Malcolm
Thanks I will take a look inside after lunch. Nowhere is open today it will be tomorow before I can get a diode pack,I will let you know how I get on.
Cheers Nick.

Do Halfords keep such things ? worth a ring.

Malcolm

 

[XJ Nick]

Hi Malcolm
I never thoght of them I will give the m a try.
Cheers Nick.

 

[XJ Nick]

Hi Malcolm
NO luck they do not stock them,I am off to look in side the alternator. Wish me luck.
Cheers Nick

 

[XJ Nick]

Hi Malcolm
I have opened it up. The bottom brush is worn down much more than the top one,does this mean anything? As far as I can see everything else is ok,but I have never looken inside an alternator before.
Cheers Nick

 

[XJ Nick]

Hi Malcolm.
I ment to ask are the slip rings, what the brushes come into contact with? If they are then the bottom one is very worn down.
Cheers Nick

 

[television]

take a look at the link

http://www.rangerovers.net/repairdetails/electrical/boschaltrepair.htm


Malcolm

 

[XJ Nick]

Hi Malcolm
I think that the slip rings on my alternator are worn down too much. Is it worth trying replacing the regulator pack do you think?
Cheers Nick

 

[television]

I think at 1mm wear I would replace the pack, over that then the whole alternator, the wear becomes more rapid as the brush can chatter when to far out of the holder.

Dont forget that any Bosch agent or even "parts Co" will be half the price of MB.

malcolm

 

[XJ Nick]

Hi Malcolm
Thanks for the link.I will take the alternator to the local "start and charge" man(he has been recomended) will let you know what happens next.
Cheers Nick.

 

[230K]

Hi

I have stretched the springs on the brushes before to get me a few more weeks out of them , may be worth trying if you cant get a new set today. Brushes can be baought seperately and soldered in if your up for the challenge.

230K

 

[XJ Nick]

HI 230K
Thanks I will keep that in mind
Cheers Nick

 

[XJ Nick]

Hi Malcolm
I got the alternator re-built at a cost of £75 with one years guarantee.The light is out and the battery is charging fine.Thanks for your help,I now understand the workings of an alternator a bit better now.
Cheers Nick

 

[television]

Hi Malcolm
I got the alternator re-built at a cost of £75 with one years guarantee.The light is out and the battery is charging fine.Thanks for your help,I now understand the workings of an alternator a bit better now.
Cheers Nick

Thanks for posting back,not very expensive and good luck.

malcolm