My alternator stoped generating (but no charge light while running) so I replaced the regulator/brushes with the kit available here.
Now, when I drive around with a volt meter attached to the battery, I see that the battery is being charged until the engine hits about 3700 RPM and doesn't resume charging until the RPM gets below 3400.
The cut-in and cut-out RPM remain the same reguardless of what gear the car is in (even Park) or what accessories are on or off (although this does affect the battery voltage a little).
My car is a 92 300TE 4-matic with 90,000 miles and an 80 Amp alternator (Bosch 0 120 469 927). When I changed the regulator, I did it from above, by feel, so I could not inspect the slip rings but I did feel the rings, while the regulator was out, and they felt perfectly smooth. The old regulator is definately shot with the brushes short and carboned up.
I tighened the almost new belt with the almost new tensioner a little more just to make sure and it didn't affect the cut-in/cut-out RPM.
The only thing I can think of is that the slip rings are out of round and that makes the brushes bounce and above a certain RPM they bounce so bad that the alternator cuts out. But that doesn't explain the very abrupt and consistant cut-out/cut-in RPMs.
I'm about to buy a new (well rebuilt) alternator. I feel the stock alternator is under powered for the car. I'd like to go at least 100 amp. Will the alternator from a 300SL(Bosch 0 120 468 060) fit my car? Or some other 100 amp or greator alternator?
Thanks Jud