W126 300Sd alternator repair

My battery light came on indicating the alternator is not charging. Just for a laugh I called the local dealer who want $350 for a new alternator and $250 labour to replace it.

Most people know the voltage regulator, held on to the back of the alternator by 2 screws can be replaced and is 99% of the time the problem and is about $60 CDN.

What fails in the regulator 9 times out of 10 is the carbon brushes.

I got a new pair from a local starter alternator place for $5, and replaced them and put it back on. Works fine now. I took pictures at each step of the repair and will put up a webpage describing in detail how to do it later this week.

I just love $5 repairs. Maybe I'll go to Paris with the $595 I saved.

Reply to
Richard J. Sexton (At work
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go to Paris and repair there Taxis

the case, minus a few cans!

Reply to
IF YOU CAN'T SWIM DON'T JUMP I

I dunno

$60 CDN is still a bit expensive. I'd expect to pay only about $120 CDN for a full gauranteed exchange unit (alternator) from my local alternator specialist.

Maybe I'm wrong, but there seems to be a shortage of this type of place in the USA and maybe Canada. I know of at least 2 places within

5 miles of me, here in Blitey, who I could get parts from or an exchange alternator from for the prices I've mentioned. The regulator you mentioned costs about $40 CDN here. Similar for a diode pack, if you want to do the soldering. I mean, the Bosch K1 was fitted to everything European almost. Its tough as old boots.

However, that's just an observation (maybe wrong) on the availablility of reconditioned/repair parts for this type of item on your side of the pond.

I commend you on your efforts.

As you state, its a straight forward repair, and since you can take the regulator/brushes out easily and do the job 'on the bench', a nice one to write up and photograph. I look forward to seeing this on your site.

Long live the $5 repair, and those willing to tell the tale!

Paris is nice. Bonne Journee

Cheers..... Rob.

Hope for the best, expect the worst... and take what comes.

snipped-for-privacy@vrx.news (Richard J. Sext>

Reply to
Rob. Smith

_____ Richard,

_____ Typical price here in Victoria at place that overhauls alternators was about C$ 15 - 17. Put one in my 1989 Volvo at about 215k km last fall.

100% correct.

_____ My price here for brushes was about C$9. Still very reasonable. My

1981 300SD with 240k km showed same symptom this spring. Like you, i unsoldered the old brushes, resoldered new ones in place and reinstalled brush holder in back of alternator. On 300SD i found it easiest if i raised the right front end, placed axle stand in proper place, removed the right wheel and accessed the brush holder from below. I think that it took me about 30 minutes to do this repair, excluding removing and remounting the wheel.

On my son's Volvo 1986 240DL wagon (450k km) i had to replace the brushes as well (400,000 km). To do this i had to remove the alternator to get to the brush set. It is actually possible to do this repair on the Volvo brush set by drilling out the original brushes, and soldering in new ones. Its design is slightly different compared with the MB 300SD part. Both alternators are Bosch brand.

I suspect, though, that most garages throw in a rebuilt alternator, or worse, a new one.

_____ Right on!

/ John

1981 300SD, 240,000 km, A/C with 134a since Aug. 2002.
Reply to
John C. Hollemans

I just slid myself under the car. I'm not a small guy but I fit - just.

I'll never wear that shirt again though.

Reply to
Richard J. Sexton (At work

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