I have a 97 GLE with 83,000 miles. A couple of weeks ago it began to be a little harder to start. It developed a whine of sorts that must be belt driven because it changes with the rpm. Yesterday it struggled starting and quickly killed the battery. Recharged and now today would not start after driving 5 miles. We jump started it but it ran like crap and could not even drive it home for further diagnosis.
So is this likely the alternator going out causing the whine and not furnishing enough juice to drive it home? I had to leave it in a parking lot so I'm hoping for a quick tip at least to get it home. Thanks.

 

I would borrow a charged battery or two. then start it and drive home on side streets. at the very least, it will be closer to home. Most likely the alternator.

 

the noise your describing makes me think your tensioner is shot and not pulling on the alternator, inspect that tensioner first

 

but this just to get home, no ac and no radio, **** turn signals while your at it

 

If the alternator isn't charging, you will get maybe a half hour of driving out of a fully charged, type 24 battery. If you have the smaller type 34 battery, you won't get that far.

 

Hi Guys,
Thanks for all of the replies. I went and pulled the battery, took it to autozone for a fast charge. It started up with the charged battery. I took it back to autozone and had the alternator tested. It failed the in car test. The tensioner is an interesting theory to check. It is so hot here in Albuquerque this week, I really don't feel like messing with myself. I think I'll have my go to guy tackle it. Any recommendations on the alternator? Duralast/Bosch is $151 new and $123 reman.

 

Autozone re-manufactured alternators and starters have a hit or miss reputation. If you're going to buy from autozone, get the new one.

 

AZ isn't the best choice but it's a freedom too choose...

 

Just to follow up, it was the alternator. I put in the new DLGold from AZ and a new tensioner pulley. The alternator was causing the whine and the electrical failures. Thanks for the help.

 

Good Choice for you to have some more adventures....

 

Did your Brake and Battery lights turn on earlier this week when the alternator blew?

Like Dennis said getting that new alternator with a lifetime warranty is a better choice than a remanufactured one.

 

glad you fixed it, it always makes the next drive more enjoyable

 

may as well spend 25$ more to get a new one with lifetime warranty, that way when ever it fails...just replace it for free!

 

i always have been a fan of anything lifetime warranty, it came in handy for a buddy of mine recently. i know i shouldn't do this but when my friend got stranded on a road trip several states away recently, he was able to use my AZ warranty info to swap his alternator and get back home with nothing more than a long hike in the sun to swap it out

 

I didn't see the Brake and Battery Lights come on until the very end when I had to leave it in the parking lot.