?? Charge Indicator Lamp is on - What can be wrong ??

[bernardtam]

Hi

My charge indicator light is on all the time when I drive the car. The problem just started from this morning. I drove it for about 60 km today and everything seems to be fine.

Tonight I check the battery and it is only 11.7 volts at rest then when I start up the car, it went down to 11.4 volts. When I press hard on the gas, the charge indicator lamp will go dim but still there, while at under 1,000 rpm, it is bright and on.

Oh I check the battery and the fluid level is ok, grounding of the battery is fine too.

What can be wrong ?? The Alternator ?? or sometime else ??

If it is the Alternator, is it easy to replace ?? Thanks for any advise !

 

[jibcl500]

Alternator is failing or the diode pack.

jib

 

[bernardtam]

Alternator is failing or the diode pack.

jib

Are you sure nothing else could be wrong ???

Is it a easy DIY to replace the alternator ??

Thanks jibcl500

 

[jibcl500]

what MB do you have, just replaced the alternator on a 98 c180 W202 took less that 10 mins.

jib

 

[bernardtam]

what MB do you have, just replaced the alternator on a 98 c180 W202 took less that 10 mins.

jib

1997 w202 c230 Kompressor and I think it is quite similiar to the one you just did ! Is there any simple instructions for replacing the Alternator at all ? Thanks

 

[television]

You more than likely do not need the whole thing, the diode pack cost under £15

 

[bernardtam]

You more than likely do not need the whole thing, the diode pack cost under £15

Hi television ! I checked with the indepndent parts dealer in Hong kong and they said they have no parts for alternator, and I think I have to replaced the whole unit !

Or do you think if I approach the bosch people, they will have the parts you mentioned - diode pack ???

Try to send you a thank you note the other day and your mail box is full !! well, i think saying thank you to you here is just the same !

 

[television]

Hi television ! I checked with the indepndent parts dealer in Hong kong and they said they have no parts for alternator, and I think I have to replaced the whole unit !

Or do you think if I approach the bosch people, they will have the parts you mentioned - diode pack ???

Try to send you a thank you note the other day and your mail box is full !! well, i think saying thank you to you here is just the same !

So sorry about that, the box keeps filling up faster than I can empty it.

Your car, Yes sir Bosch will have the pack and they could fit it in a few mins

 

[bernardtam]

So sorry about that, the box keeps filling up faster than I can empty it.

Your car, Yes sir Bosch will have the pack and they could fit it in a few mins

Thanks television, will try to look up the Bosch people in Hong Kong ! But most likely, I will have to replace the whole unit !

is it easy to replace ??

 

[television]

Thanks television, will try to look up the Bosch people in Hong Kong ! But most likely, I will have to replace the whole unit !

is it easy to replace ??

All Bosch service center has the diode pack in stock, yes the whole thing is only held on with 2-3 bolts, the fan belt must be taken off to do it

 

[bernardtam]

Replaced the faulty alternator finally but I found a problem, the pulley comes with the new 90Amp alternator is smaller than the alternator’s Pulley that is gone. I replaced the new 90 Amp Alternator with the Old Pulley !

A bigger Pulley means less RPM for the alternator and that means the new alternator can’t run at full 90 Amp Max. Will that generate any problems at all for the car ??

If I put the small pulley back to the new alternator, will the Tensioner Pulley takes up the extra length on the serpentine belt ?? The diameter of the new pulley is about 1.0 Cm smaller than the old one.