# Is this an alternator problem?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-this-an-alternator-problem/77575>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [February 24, 2013, 2:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-this-an-alternator-problem/77575 "2013-02-24T02:53:42Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 8\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Schtumped](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/71c47a/32.png) [@Schtumped](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Schtumped)\
**Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 2:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-this-an-alternator-problem/77575/1 "2013-02-24T02:53:42Z")

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Hi, hope someone here can help. I can’t figure it out: When the temp is cold (under 40 degrees) & my car has not been running for a few hours, whenever I start it the Alternator / Battery light comes on. My SRS & ESP lights come on & the car engine idles very roughly. If I let it run for a minute or 2, then everything goes back to normal. I replaced the battery just 2 months ago (the previous one was only 1 year old & has SAME issues).

Not sure what is going on but if anyone can give insight I’d very much appreciate it.

Thanks!

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**Author:** ![common-sense-answer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/common-sense-answer/32/716_2.png) [@common-sense-answer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/common-sense-answer)\
**Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 2:58am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-this-an-alternator-problem/77575/2 "2013-02-24T02:58:38Z")

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**_Make ?  
Model ?  
Model-Year ?  
How Many Miles On This Cold-Blooded Mobile ?_**

CSA

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**Author:** ![Schtumped](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/71c47a/32.png) [@Schtumped](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Schtumped)\
**Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 3:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-this-an-alternator-problem/77575/3 "2013-02-24T03:00:24Z")

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Sorry, it’s a 2003 MB C230 with 144k miles!

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**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\
**Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 3:07am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-this-an-alternator-problem/77575/4 "2013-02-24T03:07:52Z")

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Clean the ground connection from the battery at the motor would be step 1.

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**Author:** ![Schtumped](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/71c47a/32.png) [@Schtumped](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Schtumped)\
**Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 3:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-this-an-alternator-problem/77575/5 "2013-02-24T03:23:21Z")

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Thanks Barkydog, I’ll give that a try. As you can tell, I have almost no experience here.

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**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\
**Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 6:33am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-this-an-alternator-problem/77575/6 "2013-02-24T06:33:34Z")

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Many fault codes and warning lights set for low voltage conditions. A competent shop should thoroughly test your charging system. If the idle voltage is too low, a voltage regulator will often fix your problem. I worked at a Benz dealer for many years, and charging problems were often resolved with a new regulator.

> **[Mercedes-Benz](http://www.rmeuropean.com/Make/Mercedes-Benz.aspx)**
>
> Thousands of new OEM and aftermarket Mercedes-Benz parts in stock. Easy to use on-line catalog. Two-year parts warranty and free shipping on $65+ orders.

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**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\
**Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 6:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-this-an-alternator-problem/77575/7 "2013-02-24T06:35:53Z")

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I forgot to mention the "reason"  
When it’s cold the brushes sometimes stick. After operating for some time, the brushes and everything else in the alternator warm up and start behaving.

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**Author:** ![Rod-Knox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Rod-Knox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rod-Knox)\
**Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 6:54am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-this-an-alternator-problem/77575/8 "2013-02-24T06:54:09Z")

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Is the belt tight? A belt gets ‘sticky’ when it heats up and if not quite tight enough it might slip until it gets warmed up.