Electrical Problems

[grady]

Last night - and suddenly - my 280 developed the following symptoms... Headlights and radio volume became a function of RPM (normal when the revs were up, dim and quiet at idle). Also the dash volt meter showed about 13 volts with the headlights off but immediately dropped to 8-9 volts when I turned the lights on. The battery is new but after a brief run back to home was almost too weak to start the car.

Bad alternator or something else?

Thanks Grady

[streaky]

Possibilities include (in rising level of cost):

Bad earth at battery;

Bad positive at battery;

Slipping drive belt;

Bad alternator (or parts thereof).

Streaky

[19560]

streaky said:

Possibilities include (in rising level of cost): Bad earth at battery; Bad positive at battery; Slipping drive belt; Bad alternator (or parts thereof). Streaky

How much for a new Streaky?

[stainless_steve]

19560 said:

streaky said: Possibilities include (in rising level of cost): Bad earth at battery; Bad positive at battery; Slipping drive belt; Bad alternator (or parts thereof). Streaky How much for a new Streaky?

You can do away with a Streaky if you use some good quality polish

[CARL350i]

I had similar problems with mine, although on my 350I when I turned the lights on, then went up one at a time. I found an earth in the left hand rear wheel arch was to blame, a good clean and its been fine ever since.

[streaky]

19560 said:

streaky said: Possibilities include (in rising level of cost): Bad earth at battery; Bad positive at battery; Slipping drive belt; Bad alternator (or parts thereof). Streaky According to my Mother ... priceless. According to my wife ... How much for a new Streaky?

[streaky]

stainless_steve said:

19560 said: streaky said: Possibilities include (in rising level of cost): Bad earth at battery; Bad positive at battery; Slipping drive belt; Bad alternator (or parts thereof). Streaky How much for a new Streaky? You can do away with a Streaky if you use some good quality polish

I propose to drink 5 litres of varnish ... that way I'll have a good finish!