Autoelectro, the UK’s largest remanufacturer of starter motors and alternators, has leveraged three decades of experience and technical knowledge to identify and fix an alternator pulley issue relating to the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter produced between 1999-2006.
The issue affects part numbers AEA3201, AEC1299, AEC1481, AEC1489 and AEC1630. It centres on an alternator pulley failure cause by a stretched or worn belt.
Over time, the drive belt stretches, and as is elasticises, an incorrect load is applied to the alternator pulley set-up.
That results in excessive vibration within the drive belt system and it can cause failure of the alternator pulley and/or bearings.
Technicians should inspect the belt, and if it exceeds 2,100mm, the part must be replaced.
Autoelectro recommends that a 6PK1200 belt is installed and that an additional guide pulley is connected between the power steering pulley and the crankshaft pulley to prevent a reoccurrence.