Alternator change but now will not start

M_ZGLINICKI

MEMBER
2004 MERCEDES BENZ C230
1.8L
4 CYL
TURBO
2WD
AUTOMATIC
105,000 MILES

I change the alternator on the car listed above (Kompressor) and after installing the alternator and putting all the hoses back on, the car will now only attempt to turn over once and then there's a buzzing sound coming from what sounds like the ESP unit. I don't know if this is a starter issue.

10 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,179 POSTS

Welcome to 2CarPros.

Are you sure the battery is fully charged? If you try to jump start the vehicle, does it work?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-jump-start-car-battery-using-jumper-cables

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-charge-your-car-battery

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

Let me know.

Joe

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Monday, September 2nd, 2019 AT 6:42 PM

M_ZGLINICKI

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6 POSTS

I took the battery to Discount Auto and they put it on the trickle charger because it was a little low. The car is still doing the same thing. I have been trying to locate the starter to try and tap it. I can't seem to find the thing. There are very few videos on this car. Again the problem is when I try to turn it over it sounds like it turns over once and then freezes. When I release the key there is a buzzing coming from the esp unit. Is there any kind of fuse or relay that would cause the starter to not fully engage?

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Wednesday, September 4th, 2019 AT 5:11 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,179 POSTS

Welcome back:

No to the fuse. If the starter engages, it is getting power. I attached 3 pictures below to help you locate the starter. The pictures are from different points of view.

Do me a favor. If you can, record the sound of what the starter is doing. It may help me.

Let me know if you find it.

Joe

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Wednesday, September 4th, 2019 AT 7:23 PM

M_ZGLINICKI

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6 POSTS

The battery is at 12.4V at rest. When we turn the ignition to crank it, it drops to 8.6V. We attached jumper cables to my car and it did try to turn over a little more but we haven't gotten to a resolution. Any help would be appreciated.

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Saturday, September 21st, 2019 AT 3:05 PM

M_ZGLINICKI

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6 POSTS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPkApS7ymgw&feature=youtu.be .
just in case the video doesn't load properly

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Saturday, September 21st, 2019 AT 3:06 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,179 POSTS

Welcome back:

The voltage shouldn't drop that low. If I recall, the electronics require a minimum of 9.6v to function. I suspect the starter is bad and drawing too much power. However, before you replace the starter, take a socket and breaker bar and confirm you can manually turn the engine at the crankshaft. I doubt there is an issue, but something could be preventing the starter from turning the engine. For example. A head gasket could have allowed one of the cylinders to fill with coolant which would prevent it from turning.

Again, I really doubt that is the issue. If the starter did the same thing even when being jumped, I bet it's bad. Once it is removed, you can have the parts store bench test it for you to confirm it is the problem. That way you don't spend the money to purchase a new one only to find it isn't the issue.

Please understand that I am still assuming that the battery is good and all connections are clean and tight.

Let me know what you find

Joe

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Saturday, September 21st, 2019 AT 10:14 PM

M_ZGLINICKI

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6 POSTS

Okay, I was told by someone to try and start it without the belt because he said the belt looked tight. I took the belt off and it started right up. All of the pulleys turned freely without the belt with the exception of the crankshaft pulley. Any ideas?

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Sunday, September 22nd, 2019 AT 11:56 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,179 POSTS

Welcome back:

That makes no sense. Tell me, was the AC on or defroster when it wouldn't crank? Also, this vehicle should have an automatic belt tensioner, so it shouldn't be too tight.

The reason I ask about the AC and defroster is because the compressor may be locked up. The AC compressor functions in both the AC and defroster modes.

Even though the pulley may have turned easily when you had the belt off, with the key off, the compressor clutch wouldn't have been engaged so it would have turned.

Let me know.

Joe

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Sunday, September 22nd, 2019 AT 4:41 PM

M_ZGLINICKI

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6 POSTS

So due to me having back surgery several months ago, I am not as able to crawl around on the ground as I used to. My son when he took out the alternator didn't pay attention to which way it came out and I didn't pay attention as he was pushing it up to me. So my Polish blood was working overtime and when we put the new one it, we had it rotated 180 degrees. That will cause it not to turn freely both ways, We flipped it and now it is running and I don't have "steal" the car and light it on fire.

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Sunday, September 22nd, 2019 AT 5:05 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,179 POSTS

Welcome back:

Wow, that is an interesting one. However, it isn't hard to do with all the extra space to work on today's cars. LOL I'm glad you got it working again and it was a simple fix. When you said nothing was tight when you turned the pulleys, I didn't know what to say. The only thing I could think of that could prevent it from turning was the compressor. As far as stealing the vehicle and lighting it on fire, I've felt that way at times, too.

Regardless, it is working again. Take care and let us know if we can help in the future.

Joe

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Sunday, September 22nd, 2019 AT 5:20 PM