Mercedes-Benz C280 Alternator Repair at your home or office.

When to replace the alternator?

The following electrical or mechanical faults are signs that the alternator may need to be replaced:

• Battery or charging system warning light. If a warning light has illuminated, the charging system and the vehicle battery should be tested to pinpoint the fault.
• Difficulty starting your car or it doesn’t start. A faulty alternator will lead to the battery being discharged. Once the battery has discharged enough, you will have difficulty starting your car or it won’t start at all.
• Dimming lights. Should the alternator have an internal electrical fault, such as a burned-out diode or open stator windings, the alternator will have less capacity to provide electrical power.
• Grinding or whining noise. High heat created by the engine dries out the grease in the alternator bearings, wear occurs, and then the alternator can emit a grinding or whining noise as it spins. Certain electrical failures within an alternator can also cause a whining noise.
• Premature Battery Failure. If the voltage regulator within the alternator has failed, and thus charging system output is too high, that can cause the battery to fail due to overcharging. Although this fault is not as common as a weak alternator, the possibility should always be considered if your car battery fails prematurely.
• On an annual basis, or every 12,000 miles. The voltage output of the alternator should be carefully measured and compared to the OEM factory specification. Voltage output should also be checked whenever the vehicle battery is replaced.