One 200-specific condition (and fault) not fully grasped by those with 7/9 cars, is the temperature factor given the alternator's close proximity to the exhaust manifold.

The Bosch EL regulator purposely reduces the output voltage to protect the battery at elevated temps, but the standard regulator senses temperature in its own package. The luxury cars (some 7xx I believe, Dave) have an external temperature sensor at the battery location.

13.2 at the alternator B+, while the D+ diodes with relatively little load approach 14V sounds OK to me, especially during heavy charging, when the main diodes would show some of that load's voltage drop across their junctions.

But if that number didn't increase with minimum load and cooler operation, then I'd wonder if all the main diodes were intact.

This old 240 fix from the external regulator days shows just how influential the temperature compensation is. Undercharging is more likely on a 240 because of where the alternator is located.


--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

"I been in the right trip but I must have used the wrong car." -Dr John