Battery question
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
C32 2002
Battery question
Hi guys,
I have a 2002 c32 and the battery in it was never replaced, now if I leave the car for 3-4 days without using it, I have to boost it before it will start up on me. My question is, do I need a new battery ? Also, what is a good battery to buy or do I need to get one from the stealership ?
Thanks
D
I have a 2002 c32 and the battery in it was never replaced, now if I leave the car for 3-4 days without using it, I have to boost it before it will start up on me. My question is, do I need a new battery ? Also, what is a good battery to buy or do I need to get one from the stealership ?
Thanks
D
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,942
Likes: 178
From: Seattle WA
99 E320
too simplistic. in order to ascertain the health of a battery, one really must
1) check specific gravity of electrolyte, 2) ensure proper fluid level, 3) verify
cells aren't shorted, 4) check and/or charge battery, 5) check battery voltage
under load, 6) perform #1 again
then....one can better advise as to whether a new battery is needed. it may,
for example, simply need fluid topped and recharged. if so, that costs pennies.
if it had been allowed to deteriorate over the months/years to where the plates
have sulfated and shorted out adjacent cells, that's almost irreversable and a
new battery is needed.
for my 210 i simply went to Autozone and bought a similarly sized battery (with
near identical cold cranking amperage) and paid 1/2 what one would cost from
MB / free roadside assistance. for a battery 6 yrs old, generally, it's about
time to replace but no need if it's one of the simplier above fixes
1) check specific gravity of electrolyte, 2) ensure proper fluid level, 3) verify
cells aren't shorted, 4) check and/or charge battery, 5) check battery voltage
under load, 6) perform #1 again
then....one can better advise as to whether a new battery is needed. it may,
for example, simply need fluid topped and recharged. if so, that costs pennies.
if it had been allowed to deteriorate over the months/years to where the plates
have sulfated and shorted out adjacent cells, that's almost irreversable and a
new battery is needed.
for my 210 i simply went to Autozone and bought a similarly sized battery (with
near identical cold cranking amperage) and paid 1/2 what one would cost from
MB / free roadside assistance. for a battery 6 yrs old, generally, it's about
time to replace but no need if it's one of the simplier above fixes
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,278
Likes: 379
From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
Hi guys,
I have a 2002 c32 and the battery in it was never replaced, now if I leave the car for 3-4 days without using it, I have to boost it before it will start up on me. My question is, do I need a new battery ? Also, what is a good battery to buy or do I need to get one from the stealership ?
Thanks
D
I have a 2002 c32 and the battery in it was never replaced, now if I leave the car for 3-4 days without using it, I have to boost it before it will start up on me. My question is, do I need a new battery ? Also, what is a good battery to buy or do I need to get one from the stealership ?
Thanks
D
You can get cheaper batteries, but in my experience nothing lasts like the OEM battery. For another 6 years, I find the extra bucks worth it to buy the replacement at the dealer. If you don't make sure it has the same rating, group and venting arrangement as the OEM battery.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 449
Likes: 0
From: Florida, Tampa
1993 190E 2.6
If the battery is 6 years old, it's time to replace it. But you may also have a bad seat or door control module, which are notorious for causing battery drains. But I'd replace the battery and see if the problem goes away before looking for a drain. (The way to see if you have a drain is to wait for 30 minutes or so after the car has been switched off an check current flow at the battery with an ammeter. If it's around 1 amp, you have a bad module that's preventing the CAN-B network from sleeping.)
You can get cheaper batteries, but in my experience nothing lasts like the OEM battery. For another 6 years, I find the extra bucks worth it to buy the replacement at the dealer. If you don't make sure it has the same rating, group and venting arrangement as the OEM battery.
You can get cheaper batteries, but in my experience nothing lasts like the OEM battery. For another 6 years, I find the extra bucks worth it to buy the replacement at the dealer. If you don't make sure it has the same rating, group and venting arrangement as the OEM battery.
Even if it as simple as recharging it, I would recommend getting a new one anyway. Its about time. The last thing you want to do is recharge your batter then in 3 months it dies from old age and you are screwed. I would change it at your earliest financial convenience.
SPONSOR
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,459
Likes: 152
From: Houston/ Austin /Toronto / UAE / Minneapolis / Orlando /Cincinnati
Eurocharged Performance ML63 and TT lambo
Just replace it yourself.....only about 90 bucks from an auto shop, and an easy install in the c32
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: British Columbia
05 clk 55 conv., 03 E500, 01 E55, 03 F350, FJR1300....
I just went through the same problem with the car hybernating for winter. I would charge the battery, then 3 days later I wouldn't be able to start the engine. Repeated that cycle for about 2 months thinking something is draining the battery. I went as far as placing a rag over the light/rain sensor thinking that everytime I turned on the garage lights my car would energize some mopdule and drain the battery. Finally I replaced the origional battery with a new OEM battery and all problems went away. BTW I had an "electrical consumers switched off" warning that came on every now and then on my w211, since the new batt. no more warning and it starts every moning.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,034
Likes: 6
From: Corona, CA
03 g35 coupe...........02 c32 Sold
there all the same. Even my cheap $40 walmart battery lasted 4yrs in my civic before i sold it. Just buy a cheap one at a auto store. Its usually around $89. Since your in canada, i would get the one with the higher cold cranking amps.
if you want the best, get a optima battery. its around the same price as a oem battery.
if you want the best, get a optima battery. its around the same price as a oem battery.
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Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 267
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From: nottingham / uk
silver 2002 c32 amg
My battery died 2 days ago,
It had turned over slow a couple of times previously and I got an error message about light sensor not working
but other than that there was hardly any warning , I climbed in turned the key and nothing,
luckily I was at home at the time and not stranded in the middle of nowhere.
I got a new one from the dealer and swapped it myself, took about 5 minutes
mines also 6 years old and I believe anything over 5 years and your doing well
It had turned over slow a couple of times previously and I got an error message about light sensor not working
but other than that there was hardly any warning , I climbed in turned the key and nothing,luckily I was at home at the time and not stranded in the middle of nowhere.
I got a new one from the dealer and swapped it myself, took about 5 minutes
mines also 6 years old and I believe anything over 5 years and your doing well
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,213
Likes: 8
LET C32 2002
Hi guys,
I have a 2002 c32 and the battery in it was never replaced, now if I leave the car for 3-4 days without using it, I have to boost it before it will start up on me. My question is, do I need a new battery ? Also, what is a good battery to buy or do I need to get one from the stealership ?
Thanks
D
I have a 2002 c32 and the battery in it was never replaced, now if I leave the car for 3-4 days without using it, I have to boost it before it will start up on me. My question is, do I need a new battery ? Also, what is a good battery to buy or do I need to get one from the stealership ?
Thanks
D
First disconnect your under seat control modules (3 plugs each side) then try starting your car the next day if it starts fine then its your seat controller...I wouldn't replace a battery unless it needs to be new or I wanted a battery with better performance and less weight. Let us know if this works...
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 543
Likes: 0
From: South FLA
C32 AMG
Agreed. I paid the $100 at Sears. Car died 2 days alter and I had to pay $600 or so for the dealer to fix the seat cotrol module. But now I know I won't need a new battery for another 4-5 years, and won't get stranded cuz of it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,213
Likes: 8
LET C32 2002
Wow
$600.00! There is a member of this forum that bought seat modules from another C Class on Ebay for $100 shipped and did the work himself.Thank God I still have warranty! They repaired my seat control modules recently and now gonna fix the seat heater (Driver's side lower seat)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,034
Likes: 6
From: Corona, CA
03 g35 coupe...........02 c32 Sold
your lucky the dealer tried to charge me $1k for both modules installed. I got really pissed when it only took me 30min to install the modules.
$400 for both modules + $600 for labor.
$600 for 30min of work. I think i went into the wrong profession.
Anyways, i saved $900.00 i'm happy.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,213
Likes: 8
LET C32 2002
your lucky the dealer tried to charge me $1k for both modules installed. I got really pissed when it only took me 30min to install the modules.
$400 for both modules + $600 for labor.
$600 for 30min of work. I think i went into the wrong profession.
Anyways, i saved $900.00 i'm happy.
$400 for both modules + $600 for labor.
$600 for 30min of work. I think i went into the wrong profession.
Anyways, i saved $900.00 i'm happy.
That's why everyone refers to them as the Stealership...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,034
Likes: 6
From: Corona, CA
03 g35 coupe...........02 c32 Sold
They should only charge $100 for labor. But 600% markup is definately bending you over. I'm glad i'm a diy'er. I think you have to be, at the rate these dealerships charge.
