How To Fix Your Expensive Mercedes-Benz Alternator For Super Cheap. No More Warning Lights!

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Google Doc List of Models with replaceable Voltage Regulators. This list will grow so if you don't see your car just send me an email and I'll look it up for you.

Check out FCP Euro and their awesome Lifetime Warranty.

And that's it! See you in the next video thanks for watching.

[Marinette]

You are a LIFE SAVER. Yesterday just arriving at the Costco parking -here in Osaka Japan- the Red warning "Battery / Alternator" suddenly started to flash. Didn't want to drive and JAF -the equivalent to AAA broght my car back home. Today I called the Mercedes dealer, and told them to check the Alternator Voltage Regulator . . . and guess what? instead of changing the whole Alternator, it might be just the voltage regulator. Fingers crossed. You explain SO WELL. thank you so much!! June 24, 2020

[davidnorth]

A plug for Alex’s content, a gained knowledge from his experience puts those efforts forward from the unknowing to completion, I can’t count the times I start a project and reach for my phone to start even before finding a wrench . A valued participant that a click and subscribe warrants for its exchange as a ticket into growing the book of knowledge here . Alex, may all your success bring you all the rewards, each challenge met shows it’s a master class .

[HotMike]

Thanks, Alex. I replaced the voltage regulator in my 1985 Mercedes 300TD euro for about $14 bucks. Did all the work with the alternator attached. Simply drove it up onto some ramps and did the work in less than an hour. Replaced it 8 years ago and still going strong. Now, because of your channel, seriously considering a 2003-2006 Mercedes AMG. They don't seem so scary to own, now. Thanks for that.

[wplvirginia]

Hi Alex, All I can say is WOW WOW WOW....I am 55 years old and have been driving different cars for almost 40 years I would say. And not one mechanic, not one friend who was more mechanically inclined than myself, no one in a book I read, no one online before you, ever suggested to me, that when "the alternator" isn't charging the battery enough/correctly anymore, that there is a part of the alternator that you can replace that most likely will work. I have two mercedes that are both old and they are failing me in numerous ways that are not necessarily the biggest most awful repairs but I am only now learning how to fix them myself as I simply can no longer afford to pay a mechanic all this money to do these usually simple things. I watched another video by a youtuber who showed how to remove the alternator. I was all set to buy one from whomever and just get the new one in there etc when I saw your video as an option off to the side. I watched it and VOILA! I got excited and ordered a Bosch Voltage regulator that all the online searches I did said would fit my MB. Then with the help of my shade tree mechanic landlord, we removed the alternator only to find out it was not a Bosch!! It was something called a Valeo, a European manufacturer of auto parts that are commonly used in MB and VW and BMW I found out. Anyway, I was undaunted. I returned the Bosch Volt Reg and turned right around and ordered a compatible Valeo Volt Reg unit not actually knowing for sure if I could get away with only the Volt Reg but when it came, we installed it onto the side of the alternator and put it back into my 2001 SLK320 and it works Cost me about $35 for the new one. I chose not to pay extra for lifetime warranty type seller/purchase. But I want to tell you Nothing feels so good as finding the real problem and then fixing it I CAN'T BELIEVE NO ONE TALKS ABOUT THIS SCAM OF REPLACING WHOLE ALTERNATOR WHEN ITS USUALLY NOT THE PROBLEM!
thanks again so so much. Walt

[sfarthing]

You can add 2007 CLK63 to the list. Very grateful i found this video!! my local Mercedes dealer insisted i needed to replace the alternator and that the regulator was built in. Quoted $2700 fix. I bought a regulator from FCP Euro, jacked the car and replaced the regulator from below. 30 minute job for under $70 bucks.

[kumata]

You have saved me from dumping my car because mercedes wanted more for repair then what the car was worth at (320, 000 miles). Mercedes dealership was going to replace the entire thing. EXPENSIVE AS HELL. Its hard to find anyone to work on Mercedes unless its Mercedes. I will say that it is easier to work on Toyota Nissan, some hondas but those don't compare in the luxury of Mercedes. I love my E320. This was easy to replace the regulator on the alternator and found the part on EBAY for 25.00 bosch. 25.00 compared to 3000 By the way i want to thank you for these videos and teaching me as stuff breaks.

[victorj.manzano]

Alex, you did it again!! My CKL550 alternator stopped charging, and after washing this video it gave me the confidence to attack this job. For my luck, my W209 chassis is part of the lucky ones that do not require alternator removal to replace its regulator. Please add this model to your list of lucky ones and please keep out your awesome work!!

[shaunsalley]

You and Kent bergsma make the best Benz videos addicted to the information you provide

[marshallcoolins]

The Cheapest Battery/Alternator red dummy light fix is actually easier and cheaper. Check your battery cable integrity
I was getting ready to change my alternator and the first step of course is to unhook your battery. As i took the negative wire off i noticed it was frayed and black. Closer inspection revealed my negative wire to my battery was damaged. Replaced it with a new wire and connectors. Grand total of $10. So glad this was a quick very cheap fix

[phurniz]

I just had "Visit Workshop (Battery icon)" warning on my LHD W219 CLS 55, and noticed that the alternator is not charging at all. I had the aux and main batteries quickly checked, and the condition was ok. Thanks to this video, I went on and bought a replacement regulator, and managed to change it myself, and it totally fixed the issue! The brushes were extremely worn out - and I noticed that the old regulator was not by Bosch, but by Transpo - so I'm probably running a "reconditioned" alternator already.

[BlagoP]

Another common failure is the heater valve. I picked up a voltage regular from the dealer here in Canada for $70. And as he says in the video, do not use a lot of torque on the nuts and bolts on the back of the alternator. Also, the E55 uses a dedicated alternator which is different than the other W211 cars (E500, E320 etc), don't think you can grab one of those and use it. Buy the correct one and save yourself the headache of having to replace it again, like he says in the video.

[nottherealmccoy]

Once again, a high quality, easy to understand how to video! I learned more about alternators from this post than all the books & manuals I've read over the years. Great effort, keep them coming!!

[Porschedriver]

Thanks for keeping it real. These cars are like vaults but still little pieces wear out. Good tips!

[feturiotedoh]

Easy to understand ways to fix battery charging fault. How to find the fault. Cheap way to solve the problem. Great job Alex.

[hullinger]

Just another excellent video Alex. Love how you go into detail, explain and educate. I'm not ready yet to join the M-B world of ownership but I certainly enjoy what you do. -Chris

[MusicRepostz]

it feels different when you're trying to solve a problem your car has and your favorite car youtuber has the solution

[desisteele]

i have a 2001 cl 600 Mercedes and this this saved me 6hrs of labor time from the dealer or frankly put a lot of money thank you so so much

[AdeelAhmad-twmx]

The quality of your videos is too damn high

[shekoo]

True story:- alternator failed, replaced the regulator without any further testing, still no charging, tested diode rectifier, shorted 1 out of 6 diode. Now the new voltage regulator was also fried due to AC input from the alternator. Result :- always test rectifier bridge “6 diodes” before replacing the voltage regulator. I ended up buying a new alternator and losing money instead of saving money. Thank you for the great video.

[mbryant]

I have a 2002 C230 Kompressor Coupe 6 spd and the Alt went out. Unfortunately, it was a Valeo instead of a Bosch, and I couldn't find the voltage regulator anywhere and was going to have to buy a whole new alternator. Ended up just taking it to a auto electric shop where they replaced the contacts for $30. That was 2 years ago, still running strong. 177k miles!