How To Fix Your Expensive Mercedes-Benz Alternator For Super Cheap. No More Warning Lights!
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- Опубликовано: 27 мар 2018
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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.
docs.google.com/document/d/1O...
Check out FCP Euro and their awesome Lifetime Warranty.
www.fcpeuro.com
And that's it! See you in the next video thanks for watching. 
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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.
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!!
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
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 .
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!!
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
East Coast Classics non
Alex - again awesome videos and so helpful!!! i had this same alternator issue on my 2003 C32 and just removed the voltage regulator and replaced the brushes and been good as new!!! Thank you thank you for the awesome Mercedes AMG updates so valuable and helpful!!!!
Thanks for keeping it real. These cars are like vaults but still little pieces wear out. Good tips!
Really nice video. I really like how you help us DIYers think through the problems and offer money-saving solutions. While watching I was wondering if you were going to mention disconnecting the battery, which you did.
Very easy to follow. I'm no mechanic so it was nice to hear suggestions and the prices for the different parts. like a guideline
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 GREAT!!!!! 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 myself!!!!! 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
Alex, Thanks for the great detail and explanation. I've recently bought a 2007 SL550. This is my first Mercedes, so videos of this type are very helpful in preparing me to do my own maintenance. Keep up the good work.
Did you need to remove the alternator from SL series to change the regulator
fcp was great. they delivered very quickly. good communication on the shipping process. i didnt realize the new alt would have a voltage reg. but thats okay, i can replace in a few years again. now i am very scared because i am about to go fix it and i have never done one. hopefully wont break anything worse! thanks for the info and the parts connection!
Yep. Removed and replaced voltage regulator under car. 2005 E55 AMG.
Preventive maintenance.
Thanks Alex!
You and Kent bergsma make the best Benz videos addicted to the information you provide
Both very helpful!!👍🏻
Awesome technical delivery, explanation, clear and concise. Love it.
agree with you absolutely. Excellent suggestion. I am doing an extensive preventive maintenance on my w210 e430 2002 daily driver.
Hey again Alex! I took my E55 out tonight after being parked for a few days and got the big red ‘visit workshop’ light but it went away only to come right back on after dinner. Remembered this video and knew I’d need it one day! FCP Euro has it for $35 so going to wait until that comes in to do the conductor plate and fluid change next weekend since I only want to have to be under it once. (I’ll be cool and have a lift one day too!) My service kit arrived today (thanks FCP Euro) and it’s a pity I didn’t know I needed one then so it will have to wait another week. Really good to know I can do it in situ so hopefully that should save me some time. Thanks again Alex, your videos continue to help the AMG community tackle jobs some may have been scared of or were prepared to pay through the nose to have it done. Cheers!
I have a Cls that has been giving me a weak battery on and off .. then this morning the alternator light came on.. so how did your fix turn out ?
Awesome vid. Subbed. This happened to my ML430 and I replaced the voltage regulator with a Bocsh part from ebay for $28. Thanks, man
Extremely helpful. I was able to remove the cap and voltage regulator from a w208 clk430 without removing the alternator.
Easy to understand ways to fix battery charging fault. How to find the fault. Cheap way to solve the problem. Great job Alex.
Hey alex, i love your videos. The E55 amg is my dream car, and i have been watching all of your videos to progress my knowledge in these vehicles. Thanks for all the amazing content! Will always be subscribed and watching your videos. Im gonna cop one of those LSC sweatshirts from you here shortly. Love the merch.
Thanks brother appreciate that
I'm a learner mechanic and love watching videos like yours, great content man !
Concise and clear advice. With no noise or burning sounds I will be looking at the access on my 200 gbp clk200 97. If easy ordering a voltage regulator as a starting point. Love a DIY fix on a pricey brand.
By far the best RUclips channel. Unbelievable! Thank you so much
Love your detailed videos! Can’t wait to purchase my E55!!
Great video Alex a lot of Mercedes owners don’t know about this easy fix!😎
You may want to update the google doc list on what cars you can and can't replace the voltage regulator with the alternator still in the car. You have the C55 on the not-so-lucky list, and yesterday I was able to swap mine out within an hour or so with the alternator still in the car. Great video, those regulators sure can cause all sorts of problems.
Great movie as always Alex ! You need to make them more often cus waiting week for it is too long !
This channels awesome. So glad I found it. I have a w211 E320 and I just had an issue with the fuel pump and connector which in turn caused a lot of cranking. I also changed all the plugs and got that all sorted and left it idle a bit and got the Red Battery, visit workshop. The voltage was a tad low running. The battery was replaced as well before all of this and I checked the aux battery and it checked out ok. Im not sure if I have a charging issue or if the battery just got drained from the repeated cranking and then just idling it wasn’t enough to bring it back up. I’m a bit apprehensive to drive it if it is a charging issue and will leave me stranded. This is my daily driver so it’s been a rough few weeks dealing with these issues but it’s been reliable up till this point. I’ll check it tomorrow and see if I can tell whether or not it’s charging after it has a fully charged battery in it and worse case scenario I’ll have the garage check the alternator.
Hey thank you so much for the video, I'm in the middle of replacing it on my 2011 sl63amg very little room there so I had to modify some tools but I was able to take it out already(voltage regulator) without taking the alternator out👍
Great video. Thanks for this fix. I hope it's as easy as you made it look. Good job!
can't wait to see the car tuned and put down some numbers. your new headlights look awesome by the way!
Me too!! Thanks, I love the look.
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.
what till you have to do that valve on a RHD one, such a pain, easy on LHD
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 $70 bucks.
I have a 2011 CLS63 AMG 6.2l engine, my alternator is not charging would that be same as your CLK63 amg
I don’t know. I think if it’s the same M156 engine it could be the same alternator. The issue is wether you can get easy access to the alternator or have to remove parts. I could get to the alternator from below and it has a plastic cover on the back that is removable to access and swap the regulator.
great video super great description of what everything was, this will help me diagnose my own 2007 e350 alternator
Appreciate all your videos. My E55 is a 2004 with just over 320k miles all original and running strong. Just got the warning light on. Checked charging which is reading 11.87 volts. Hopefully I can tackle it myself. Most likely time to replace whole alternator, what is the other part 🤔 you mentioned should be replaced? Thanks again for sharing all your time and information. Videos are Truly a blessing.
I am so glad that I watched your video now I know that my w220 alternator was bad because of the burnt plastic smell thanks for the help
I love your job and always useful for me, thank you so much!
Hi Alex,
Jamie from Australia.
Great content as always, very well done 👍
Jamie Beverley Jamie Whincup?! Where’s Frosty?! Haha be well.
Dude, I want to buy you a beer. Your videos are awesome.
Love your channel always make useful videos
Hey, I just changed out my voltage regulator on my c55. Without removing it. It can be down, you just have to remove the splash guard, and go at it from underneath. Takes 45min, longer if the screws are nice and seized. helps to have stubby tools and a lift.
Grad video mate! Last week I've experience the same issue with my w221 S500 ( S550 for US ) and I was around 120 miles from neerest MB workshop and from my garage - so I bought cheapest battery and cables (80$ for both )from one gas-station. Then I put the battery in trunk and connected it to the car battery in order to have additional energy to get home :D Desperate times - desperate measures :)))
Great video, great info, fixed my Mercedes today and saved a fortune! Thanks
'Thanks for the tip on the voltage regulator , and also the tip on Fpc euro, great part house. I will let you know if the fix works on my ML350
Keep up the excellent MBZ how to's.! Your making me want to buy a E55 project car. Already have an S550 and owned a E500. Wife is gonna kill me but ill just blame you.😂 Keep up the good content!👍
Great video. I’m getting ready to replace the VR on my ‘03 G500, been doing a lot of research (not much out there) and it looks like I’m one of the unlucky ones that will need to remove the alternator.
1998 clk320 needs alternator taken out for regulator replacement. No room behind it.
Great video!
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 yeah!!!!! By the way i want to thank you for these videos and teaching me as stuff breaks.
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
Definitely the best on RUclips! Go Bears
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.
Great knowledge you put out there my new found friend,I have a 2006 E350 4matic that had the same problem,
Thanks again,it fixed my problem,
Great presentation. Awesome info. Thanks
Got a similar problem on my old Merc. It was the backup battery for the SBC brakes. It was a Fiamm battery produced in week 39 2005. So i guess it was time...😁👍 Great vid by the way 👍
Those spring loaded brushes used to be separate from the voltage regulator and were easily replaced. You did have to remove the alternator for that and open it up. Bearings usually only went out from overtightening the belt. We used to get voltage regulators for 5 or 10 bucks. Brushes were a couple bucks. As you said if the alternator is not making any noise at all it is either brushes or voltage regulator.
Overcomplicating cars is not progress.
Thx Alex 4 yur homework on the "Lucky 1's". My S55 made it!
WE GET IT! this dude is a mercedes tech congrats
$$$ Saver and useful entertaintment ! GOOD WORK, Sr. !
Great informative video as always.
Do you know if my 2014 E350 voltage regulator can be changed while the alternator is in the car?
Thanks
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!
Thanks for the google doc.
a year later and you saved my life and pockets
Awesome video again keep up the good work* I also turned bell on thanks
Great job! You're a good dude.
Great and informative video! Really helped. I am fairly confident it's my voltage regulator but have been doing research to make sure and came across this video. I would hate to buy the regulator and it be the alternator or vise versa, either mistake can be costly. This video really made the symptoms I am experiencing with my Benz come together. Also, thank you so much for still having the google doc up! I am on the unlucky one part of the list lol, but I am glad I don't have to find out the hard way. Now I know exactly what to expect going in. Right On. -96 Mercedes Benz E300D
silverserpants with FCP Euro you can return the part and get your money back. So you wouldve been covered either way
once again thanks for the info! u are the best.
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
W211 E320CDI Inline 6 need to take out alternator. Recently replaced my relay by myself.
Fantastic Edification!
Had to come back to this video to check the list. Unfortunately I have to remove the Alt on my daughters 2014 C250 to replace regulator. Got the last VR from Mercedes in country today. Should arrive at dealer in a few days.
Man, I know nothing about cars but driving. However, this was very interesting and educating. Thank you bro...
Great video Alex. Do you know if the voltage regulator for 2003 CL 55 AMG (C215) is also replaceable without taking out the alternator?
Nice video Alex. How about a quick guide to STAR on the e55, tips and tricks?
Thanks for saying that part about the auto zone parts. I was going get one from them soon but now I know better!
That's all I hear bout auto parts chains. Very hit and miss. Depending on how easy or hard it is to change your starter or alternator, do you want to gamble? I've seen cheap parts from a certain country used to rebuild them.
Where should one get one?
David Quinones FCP euro for anything European. They have lifetime warranties and they use the best parts.
I don't know if mine could be changed while inside the car but it was simple enough to remove it from my W124 250D, the alternator failed on it and it started to overcharge the battery, and that took about 20 minutes to drop the old and get the new one in from raising the car, my volvo 850 can't change it's regulator but the volvo 740 i had it can be changed in car
headlights look amazing.. my guess is conductor plate or valve body only because right after doing my e63 alternator (completely unrelated to the alt) my transmission went into limp mode haha!
wow.... voltage regulator. awesome. makes sense. my beloved 2014 c250 hopefully only needs that. Battery charged back to 13v... made it to dealership. ps. eng menu access on radio : 10 hold END+#+1... sys then enviro the hu will display temp and 2 areas of battery voltage.
anyway as always very clear and informative and honest info. thanks
Hi Alex, great videos, however, on the google sheet you have the w163 listed as not possible to replace the VR, however, I just replaced it without removing the alternator, access is possible via the wheel well. Just wanted to give you the updated information. I have a 2003 ML350
Another amazing high quality video by alex!!!
Thanks Nick. Really appreciate the support.
Alex
#legitmechanic
Not quite as new as your Mercedes but on my 1990 Volvo 240 the voltage regulator can be changed within 10-15 minutes. super easy :). Cost of the replacement regulator around $10-15. This applies to all 2.0l and 2.3l 8 valves engines.
Thanks for the list. Any advice on the G500?
Almost bought a new alternator thanks for this infor
In adding with your video suggestion that you've mentioned. While changing the auxiliary battery, if say x164, how does one get rid of the sign aux battery malfunction even after installing a new genuine battery from MBenz?
Great video thanks.
it feels different when you're trying to solve a problem your car has and your favorite car youtuber has the solution
Glad I stumbled across this video. Twice now I started my car and as soon as I was pulling out the driveway a big red battery warning showed up in the center screen on the dash, pulled back in and restarted the car and it wasnt there anymore and it said no messages in the service screen. I plan on seeing if I can find anything with my scanner, but jist looked and the replacement voltage regulator is only $41 so im going to grab one. 2010 C300 4matic sport just hit 150,000 miles. Ill check back if it seems to fix it.
really good content. thank you.
Great vid Alex.. Common failures would probably be airmatic components, sbc unit, ball joints, and engine mounts, nothing you can't handle boss.
What site did you get your headlamp covers? My CLK55 needs headlamp and fog light covers. Thanks in advanced!
Hey Alex thanks for the info I'll be reworking my alternator today now while it's out. I have a question on my C230 kompressor, I can't find any crank timing information, Chilton's says it's to complicated to take it to the dealership.
I know cam timing is TDC but all models I read about are degreed BTDC on the crank. Please if you know how I can get needed information let me know
That’s interesting that this video popped up for me. I just did this job today on my S430. My battery wasn’t dying on me but the lights were pulsing. The old contacts were worn way down.
You can change the regulator on S212 2014 220 cdi (non-4matic) without taking out the alternator. Kind of tight, because you cannot fully remove the black plastic cover in the back of the alternator, but fully possible. Did so on my own yesterday.
Alex, I am impressed. I have a 2006 E350 w211 which will crank/start/all instruments work...but as soon as I put it in R or Drive it shuts right off. What can only be the result of a alternator issue. I am a broke law student so CLEARLY I cannot go to Mercedes. I pulled the alternator and the regulator bushes seemed fine. It's a 2006 with 194,000 miles. Please help! Thanks for all you do!
Thank you for the video. Does the alternator for 2006-2011 Mercedes Benz B200 Turbo need be taken out or can it be left in when changing regulator?
Great video thanks ❤
Hi..thanks for ur amazing video. I got the same problem and I replaced the voltage regulator but after 30 min the problem returned back with no charging. Are there any problems which can I fix. Thanks
Thank you Alex, this really helped me fix the alternator on my CLK#20 Cabriolet. I'm going to throw one in the glove box of my E320 just in case!
Direct fix? Or remove the alternator?
Great video. Wonder how about x164 2007 GL450, it’s not listed in your google document. Thanks a lot.