W124 (M104) Overcharging Battery

DelBenz

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For the past 4 or 5 days I have been subjected to noxious odours getting into the car. I thought it was filter related. After doing a long motorway run today it decided to die outside my front door (German Engineering is the best ). Completely baffled as the battery is 10 months old and there were no warning lights. I got a jumpstart and had a nose about :

(1) The battery was very hot and gassing through the vent - this must have been the source of the smell - and my chest issues.
(2) The charging voltage was around 20 Volts.

My first ( and probably only) conclusion is that the regulator has gone.

Q. can I extract and replace the regulator from above ?

Thanks
 

television

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Yes you can and about £12 from any Bosch service center
 
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DelBenz

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Thanks a lot Malcom, I suspect the battery might have had it with all the cooking but I'll wait and see.
 

television

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Thanks a lot Malcom, I suspect the battery might have had it with all the cooking but I'll wait and see.

Thats a hard one, you never know,,it might have woken it all up and reactivated it
 

grober

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As our friends across the pond so quaintly put it--the battery is toast!
 

television

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As our friends across the pond so quaintly put it--the battery is toast!

Just thinking what would happen to one of our newer cars, with all of the fancy electronics, and the cost some £k in the case of mine + 2 batteries :D
 
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DelBenz

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Just thinking what would happen to one of our newer cars, with all of the fancy electronics, and the cost some £k in the case of mine + 2 batteries :D

I guess thats why I opted for the W124 after the CLK.

I looked at it in the light of day and determined that I couldnt do it in-situ from above so called a local garage, I told them to change the Voltage reg and they keep insisting on a hundred reasons why they can't as they cant guarantee and it needs a complete new alternator etc, etc,. I told them its a stock part ( which of course they know ) and they should just get it, change it and the battery and let me have my car back.
 

television

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I guess thats why I opted for the W124 after the CLK.

I looked at it in the light of day and determined that I couldnt do it in-situ from above so called a local garage, I told them to change the Voltage reg and they keep insisting on a hundred reasons why they can't as they cant guarantee and it needs a complete new alternator etc, etc,. I told them its a stock part ( which of course they know ) and they should just get it, change it and the battery and let me have my car back.


A Bosch service center will normally take on these jobs
 
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DelBenz

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A Bosch service center will normally take on these jobs
This outfit has Mercedes Benz, Bosch and all sorts of 'brands' on their facia... I should have clicked when the chap who came for the car didnt know what Bosh was. I'm prepared to pay through the nose but not to the detriment of my brain. evn with the labour charge it 'should' still be cheaper than a new unit.
 

television

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This outfit has Mercedes Benz, Bosch and all sorts of 'brands' on their facia... I should have clicked when the chap who came for the car didnt know what Bosh was. I'm prepared to pay through the nose but not to the detriment of my brain. evn with the labour charge it 'should' still be cheaper than a new unit.

Normally you only change the complete thing when a bearing has failed or the slip rings are beyond their best
 
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DelBenz

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New battery and alternator

Well I've paid my money and took my goods - I won't berate them and the 'GoodGarageScheme' as I knew what I was getting into before I commited - despite the new battery looking like something tht should be on a motorcycle.

Strange thing is both my rear side lights have suddenly gone at the same time. Swopped the bulbs, checked the fuses - all seem OK. A Good thumping has no effect - though it did before when the nearside was intermittent a week or so ago.
 

television

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You are lucky to get away with just 2 bulbs with 20v going through them
 
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DelBenz

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And the moral of the story is

Well plonker that I am I was testing the wrong bulbs in the dark last night. I may have been involved in electronics all my working life including an apprenticeship in electrical development in the auto industry but that is no substitute for common sense is it ? Well £1.50 took care of that problem.

Before I close this thread word of advice to all : If your battery has a vent make sure there is a plastic tubing that will vent the gases outside of the battery compartment. My W208 had a pipe that vented through the boot floor. Breathing in battery gases while your battery is overcharging without your knowledge is hazardous to your health !
 

television

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2002 SL500, 216 CL500, all fully loaded
Well plonker that I am I was testing the wrong bulbs in the dark last night. I may have been involved in electronics all my working life including an apprenticeship in electrical development in the auto industry but that is no substitute for common sense is it ? Well £1.50 took care of that problem.

Before I close this thread word of advice to all : If your battery has a vent make sure there is a plastic tubing that will vent the gases outside of the battery compartment. My W208 had a pipe that vented through the boot floor. Breathing in battery gases while your battery is overcharging without your knowledge is hazardous to your health !

I will admit to being a plonker some times, the trick is to admit it,,then what more can one say :D:D
 


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