merc 200te alternator probs?

[johnnycapone]

Hi my 1990 merc 200te died on me 4 times tonight within the space of 100 yards. It would only start with the help of a power booster and then only kept running for 30 secs at a time. Took the battery off and charged it (3 month old battery). It started pulling 8 amps and dropped down to 4 after about 4 hours. Put back in car, voltage was reading 12.76v before starting but dropped to 12.27 after starting and dropped to 12,22 after about 5 mins running. Does this sound like an alternator problem or maybe a duff battery?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Best regards
John

 

[Hibbo]

Duff regulator on the back of the alternator mate. Malcolm's favourite snag!

 

[hmang]

is that battery fully charged if it's still pulling 4 amps from the charger ?

 

[television]

Duff regulator on the back of the alternator mate. Malcolm's favourite snag!

The battery could be faulty,what make is it. I had 3 of Halfords batteries in 3 weeks and the 4th after 2 years.

If it was not charging the light should be on in the dash,it may be very dim,do take a look. the running voltage of the car should be 13.8 volt and a bad battery can pull the voltage down. You could turn the headlamps on,if they go brighter when you rev the car up then the chances are its a dud battery, if they do not, as Hibbo change the reg pack £10-£20

 

[johnnycapone]

Thanks for your speedy replies, the battery light on the dash wasnt lit, but for some reason the ABS was, not sure what all that is about. Try the headlights tomorrow.
thanks again.
John

 

[johnnycapone]

Thanks Hibbo and Malcolm, it was as you mentioned the voltage regulator.
Could only get a secondhand replacement today but it did the trick.
I will try and source a new one tomorrow
Thanks again
John