1989 190e Battery Not Charging

POBUBBA

MEMBER
1989 ALL OTHER MAKES ALL OTHER MODELS

The battery appears not to be charging while 1989 190E 2.6 is running. New battery has been replaced 3 times at Costco in past month. Local neighborhood mechanic believes the 1989 Mercedes Benz 190E battery is charging, but unsure at this point.

With new Costco battery, 1989 190E operates for 3 or 4 days then all of a sudden will not turn over. The lights are also very dim at this point. Electrical devices (power windows, door locks, headlights, wipers, dome light etc) are weak or will not operate at this point.

Engine will also begin to quit and/or want to quit when battery is getting low or headlights are turned on.

Alternator was replaced about 9 months ago at local shop due to simular symptoms in past.

If this is an alternator problem, is it usual that they fail in less than a year? Are there any other relays, switches or related devices that I should be checking?

2 Replies

MIKE H R

MECHANIC
3,094 POSTS

With the engine starting to stall when the battery is low, sounds like the altinator is bad, it could be the regulator in the altinator, have seen new altinators go bad after one day, have seen new altinators be bad from the factory. Have the altinator output checked, this can be done at the local shop you deal with or can be done at a automotive store, most auto zone stores can check the output with it on the car. Also look at the belt and make sure it is not too loose or slipping.