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autonovice
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Dec 2006
Location: New York City
Vehicle(s): '05 G55K, '92 350GDT
Posts: 684
| Re: Alternator replacement on 1999 G500 ???
you may want to bring your alt back to the MB dealer along with the print out of reman part number page 21. The MB number on the alt does not match the G500 part number in the catalog. may be should same may be not. see if he can pull out a reman alt from his stock for a 2002+ G and let you compare. it is pity that you have to spend $100 for a another VR
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G-Wagen_enthusiast
Member
Date registered: Jun 2010
Location: Midwest
Vehicle(s): 1999 G500
Posts: 22
| Re: Alternator replacement on 1999 G500 ???
Yes it is a true pity, but such is life with a gray market european car. I called the dealer and they said they would not be able to accept a return since this is an electric part. I hate to think what they'd say if I went on to explain that I installed it and ran it for a while! lol! They didnt even want to accept it because its electrical... even though its not the correct one. Oh Well MB USA doesnt support European imports and making this quite clear to me.
Anywho as Rumsfeld said about going in to war with the army you have not the one you wish you had, I am ready to make the install with the alternator I have, not the one I wish I had. The one I have still technically fits AND it is on the list of alternators on the DYI site that is compatible, the 124 is compatible right? The only thing NOT compatible is the VR, right? I am more that happy to pay the extra $100 for VR if it will work properly with my car. Besides, the joke is on them, I gave them back my old 90 AMP core as a core exchange - try making a 150 AMP ALT with that! They dont even look the same - ha ha ha  |
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Otiswesty
Administrator
Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
Posts: 3004
| Re: Alternator replacement on 1999 G500 ???
Just reading up on alternators. I didn't realize that the 1999 only had a 90 amp altenator. No issues at this time, but I do use the heated windshield and seat heaters liberally in the winter, so lots of draw demand. I wonder when the switch over was 2000 or 2002. Might be worth some EPC sleuthing. |
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| Re: Alternator replacement on 1999 G500 ???
otiswesty - 2/9/2016 11:16 PM
Just reading up on alternators. I didn't realize that the 1999 only had a 90 amp altenator. No issues at this time, but I do use the heated windshield and seat heaters liberally in the winter, so lots of draw demand. I wonder when the switch over was 2000 or 2002. Might be worth some EPC sleuthing.
How did you get a heated windshield in a 1999 G500?
The EPC shows that the 115 Amp alternator was used from VIN ID#127405. My 2000 G500 is VIN ID#118833 with the newer cluster and steering wheel controls, and was delivered in November 1999; so the switch to the higher amperage alternator was sometime after that. |
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ILIAN
Veteran
Date registered: Sep 2014
Location: Boston MA
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500 1999 CL500
Posts: 181
| Re: Alternator replacement on 1999 G500 ???
I'm interested in fitting a 150 Amp alternator in my G500, I think mine is now 115 Amp. Maybe looking at alternators fitted to E class OR S class around 1999 and 2000 we can find a replacement. |
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AlanMcR
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, CA, Los Altos
Vehicle(s): G300DT E300DT 230SL
Posts: 3500
| RE: Alternator replacement on 1999 G500 ???
Remember to upgrade the wire diameter, and check the current path for a fusible link. |
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Otiswesty
Administrator
Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
Posts: 3004
| Re: Alternator replacement on 1999 G500 ???
DUTCH - 2/10/2016 3:42 AM
otiswesty - 2/9/2016 11:16 PM
Just reading up on alternators. I didn't realize that the 1999 only had a 90 amp altenator. No issues at this time, but I do use the heated windshield and seat heaters liberally in the winter, so lots of draw demand. I wonder when the switch over was 2000 or 2002. Might be worth some EPC sleuthing.
How did you get a heated windshield in a 1999 G500?
The EPC shows that the 115 Amp alternator was used from VIN ID#127405. My 2000 G500 is VIN ID#118833 with the newer cluster and steering wheel controls, and was delivered in November 1999; so the switch to the higher amperage alternator was sometime after that.
My production number is 114586, delivered in late 1998. I believe the heated windshield option is alternator independent and was also available in early 463 and even 460 series. My data card does specify 100AH battery whereas standard is 70 AH, this can be due to either the presence of a heated wind screen or Webasto heater. My truck has both. 
I would way rather have a 2002+ 150 amp alternator than the earlier 90 amp or even 115 amp.
Edited by otiswesty 2/10/2016 4:03 PM
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ILIAN
Veteran
Date registered: Sep 2014
Location: Boston MA
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500 1999 CL500
Posts: 181
| Re: Alternator replacement on 1999 G500 ???
The alternator on the 2002 G500 has an aditional 2 prong plug that the earlier G500 do not have. Anybody know what the role of that is? Is it going to affect anything if installed on a G500 with nothing plugged into it? |
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Otiswesty
Administrator
Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
Posts: 3004
| Re: Alternator replacement on 1999 G500 ???
Per Minh in this thread:
http://pointedthree.com/disc/forums/showthread.php?tid=17696&posts=...
Purchase special plug and pins from Mercedes dealer (should be less than $20)
Plug: A 168 545 30 28 ($)
2 Pins: A 013 545 15 26 ($$$)
Needs a molex crimper to do the right job.
I bought GC Waldom W-HT-1919-P http://ba-electronics.com/molex.htm
Installation note:
1) Loosen the serpentine belt and remove the old alternator.
2) find the idiot light wire (D+) and crimp up the pin using the molex crimper and
....install to special plug. Note: the idiot light is left pin if looking at the alternator from
....the back.
3) Make sure the clocking is same as the original alternator.
4) Check the alternator pulley. The offset and diameter may be different. In this case,
....swap the pulley if the offset is different. I used an air gun so i didnt
....have to fight to keep the alternator from turning.
5) Install the new alternator and tighten serpentine belt.
6) Install the alternator to battery cable to B1+
6) I would put some silicon or heat shrink wrap to seal the back of the special plug.
7) Install special plug to alternator. |
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ILIAN
Veteran
Date registered: Sep 2014
Location: Boston MA
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500 1999 CL500
Posts: 181
| Re: Alternator replacement on 1999 G500 ???
I don't want to go thru that due to the clocking issue and it gets expensive having to also buy another VR. I think a 150 AMP alternator from a W140 S500 may work and it doesn't have that plug just like our original 115 Amp alternators. I'm going to research into this and update. |
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DesertStar
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: San Diego, CA USA
Vehicle(s): 85-280GE/95-G320/08-G500
Posts: 2156
| Re: Alternator replacement on 1999 G500 ???
DUTCH - 2/10/2016 3:42 AM otiswesty - 2/9/2016 11:16 PM Just reading up on alternators. I didn't realize that the 1999 only had a 90 amp altenator. No issues at this time, but I do use the heated windshield and seat heaters liberally in the winter, so lots of draw demand. I wonder when the switch over was 2000 or 2002. Might be worth some EPC sleuthing. How did you get a heated windshield in a 1999 G500? The EPC shows that the 115 Amp alternator was used from VIN ID#127405. My 2000 G500 is VIN ID#118833 with the newer cluster and steering wheel controls, and was delivered in November 1999; so the switch to the higher amperage alternator was sometime after that. FWIW, my 95-G320 has the heated windscreen and 90A alternator...EPC shows 463.231 with no other alternator option listed.
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Otiswesty
Administrator
Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
Posts: 3004
| RE: Alternator replacement on 1999 G500 ???
I saw a 200Amp alternator listed on ebay for G500 and am curious if it would work as well. If anyone knows, please speak up.
http://www.ebay.de/itm/Original-Mercedes-Lichtmaschine-Generator-G-...
 (Alternator.JPG)
Attachments
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 Alternator.JPG (99KB - 0 downloads)
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ILIAN
Veteran
Date registered: Sep 2014
Location: Boston MA
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500 1999 CL500
Posts: 181
| Re: Alternator replacement on 1999 G500 ???
I did some research and found that most MB's from 1998-2001 with 4.3l m113 engine came with a 150 Amp alternator without the 2 pin plug like the one for 2002+ G500 have. This should work on Pre MBUSA G500 without having to get a new regulator or modify wiring, just clock it to the right position and done. I ordered a used OEM one from Ebay for cheap. When It arrives , I will install it and update. |
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ILIAN
Veteran
Date registered: Sep 2014
Location: Boston MA
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500 1999 CL500
Posts: 181
| Re: Alternator replacement on 1999 G500 ???
Otiswesty, that alternator is probably for a late model MB, a lot of them come with 180 Amp alternators too. It may work but I'd like to see some data of RPM vs Amp output before spending a lot to buy one |
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Otiswesty
Administrator
Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
Posts: 3004
| Re: Alternator replacement on 1999 G500 ???
Well, I have been having a battery charge alert since last October. I had the G parked at the airport in PDX for 5 days and had my only no start ever when I got back. Managed to push it out in neutral and another vehicle jumped me with the cables that I carry in my spare compartment.
I took it to the dealer, they told me the charging system was fine and the battery too. Couldn't tell me why it was not starting. They had the car for 2 weeks and on the last day found a hole that chipped in the back corner of my battery, drying out a cell. It must have happened at my roll over since I did not have a hold down bracket on at that time (NLA). The battery alert has been on since then and they tell me they are unable to fix everything on these grey market cars. I was super pissed and disappointed. I think they were just using the US spec OBD2 port and my Europa VIN and getting nowhere.
I have had my Dometic fridge running last week in the desert on my last trip and it was occasionally shutting off with the voltage protection feature. Sometimes this will happen recently with the new Continental radio too, so I knew something was up for sure.
There is a new service advisor from Virginia that worked at Autohaus for 20 years. They imported a lot of G's prior to MBUSA in 2002. He was dealing with my wife's E320cdi and offerred to have another crack at the G as he knows grey market vehicles.
Well today they are putting in a 150A alternator. It will be fully warranted through the dealer which adds a lot of peace of mind as they have been good on that before.
The battery took 4 months to come from MB in Germany as the size is odd to fit in the rear spot and is 80 amp. The only other gel battery I could find here was a Sears gold AGM that was 70 amp hr. Hopefully all should be well now. |
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| Re: Alternator replacement on 1999 G500 ???
otiswesty - 6/27/2018 5:15 PM
The battery took 4 months to come from MB in Germany as the size is odd to fit in the rear spot and is 80 amp. The only other gel battery I could find here was a Sears gold AGM that was 70 amp hr. Hopefully all should be well now.
The Odyssey 34R-PC1500 has the reversed terminals and fits perfectly in my 2000 G500. There's not a whole lot of difference between a 1999 and a 2000 G500.
FWIW, there was an Interstate battery in it when I purchased it 2 yrs after the original owner bought it new from Europa Int'l via Neiman Marcus. |
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paulunm
Veteran
Date registered: Jan 2015
Location: Los Angeles
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500
Posts: 124
| Re: Alternator replacement on 1999 G500 ???
Eric- if it works out (plug and play) would you post the part number here? |
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Otiswesty
Administrator
Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
Posts: 3004
| Re: Alternator replacement on 1999 G500 ???
DUTCH - 6/27/2018 2:50 PM
The Odyssey 34R-PC1500 has the reversed terminals and fits perfectly in my 2000 G500.
That battery is 68AH, the Mercedes battery is 80AH, but I ordered a 100AH battery which is apparently NLA. Price is similar tho. The Sears gold AGM battery was 70 AH
paulunm - 6/27/2018 8:25 PM
Eric- if it works out (plug and play) would you post the part number here?
No problem
Edited by otiswesty 6/28/2018 1:37 AM
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paulunm
Veteran
Date registered: Jan 2015
Location: Los Angeles
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500
Posts: 124
| Re: Alternator replacement on 1999 G500 ???
Also curious what the part number is on your voltage regulator on the original unit.
I've been thinking about proactively replacing my VR... |
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