Howdy all,
New to the forum, so go easy please. I have a 1987 420 SEL, it has been in the family since it left the showroom, only recently my father gave it to me. Thanks Dad!

The other day I was driving and the radio (aftermarket) cut out. Than, gauges started acting funny, shooting up and down while at a stop light, antilock warning indicator came on. I pulled over turned everything off and shut off the engine. When I went to crank it up back up, it didn't have enough power to crank it over. I replaced the battery over the weekend and let it sit. This morning as I pulled into work i was jamming to some tunes and the radio cut out again, the antilock light kicked on when I had the heater going, and would cut off when I turned the heater off. It seems to me that the battery is not the issue. I have not had a chance to pull out the Volt meter to test the battery when the car is idle. Am I looking at new alternator? Any help would be great.

Best Regards,

Felice

 

Went to the mechanic. Def new alt. New Bosch replacement cost Ouch!!!

 

Check with Autozone or other aftermarket rebuilt. Should be in the $150. range.

 

The only bad part of the alternator was probably just the voltage regulator, $15 item replaceable if 15 minutes by taking out plug and two screws. Worn brushes on it are very common problem do to age. Your mechanic should of know that but he has to live and feed his family too.
Bernard

 

Thanks all. Should of, could of, would of, hind sight is always 20/20. I am with you on doing it myself for cheap, especially the plan a head type repairs. But I was stuck. Sole transportation (completely dead car out of nowhere) with a family of five, didn't have time to get it done myself. To be honest, my mechanic has sent me away in the past to do several repairs myself, and he only charged me an hour labor for the all the work. The cost of the part, HUGE pill to swallow.

Felice