sami

Hi all,

I got a red message in the car cluster saying (Visit workshop) with the battery picture in it.

Well the ignation and the lights are working very well, once I swtich on the car and turn it off then switched back on, the message comes back on. The car I drive is 2004 E320, do I need to change the battery and which one the auxillary one under the hood or the main one in the trunk ?

Any help will be really appreciated, I am sure somebody has gone through this ordeal.

Thanks

Tariq

Change both battries, the front and the rear.

MARK CUMMINS

I Think You have a Charging system problem
Voltage regulator or Battery Control unit..Both KNOWN Problems on the early W211s...Very easy to check charging system

Call MB Roadside if its Still Under MB Warranty

E500 AMG Sport

Are you experiencing any issues with the headlights dimming? If not, it's most likely just your auxillary battery under the hood.
Just had mine replaced under warranty.

mescaline

what about headlight dimming?

konigstiger

In addition to auxiliary battery replacement:

Have your dealer check VMI (Vehicle Master Inquiry - have your VIN handy) to see if there are any outstanding recalls or service campaigns all are covered by MBUSA even out of warranty.

Service campaign 2005070017 APR06 addresses alternator
e320 (211.065) VIN range A014562-A734487, X097696-X116123

2005060008 JUN06 addresses battery control unit, A014562-A418838

DTB P-B-42.46/84 NOV07 VIN range A040665-A589444 the cause may be the result of damage to the engine or interior compartment wiring harness underneath the auxiliary battery. The harness contains the supply line for the auxiliary battery relay.

Lastly, it could be the auxiliary battery relay needs replacement.

E500 AMG Sport

That's usually the tell tale sign that you are having voltage issues. The headlights and instrument lights will get dimmer when the alternator / voltage regulator aren't puttin' out what they're supposed too.

If the car drives fine otherwise, my money is on the Aux. Battery!

Gary

Dtv211

Mine too! I too recently had the aux battery changed because of that same 'visit workshop' light.

MB211

I "may" be the aux battery....It may also be any one of the items Konigstiger mentioned.

Your best bet is to take it in and have correctly diagnosed. Daignosing a warning light w/o codes over the internet is like asking "How much is food in a can?"

mescaline

Yea i just replaced small battery in the engine bay a few days ago as well, same message. You should just totally check if small battery is getting charged, sometimes there is loss connection betwen big and small battery so small battery is not getting charged at all.

Diesel Benz

Quite a few have replaced the relay (that konigstiger mentioned above).

vettdvr

I have confirmed my aux bat needs replacing as it only has 10.4 volts. I load tested the main bat (in trunk) and it full load test ok. I have also run my (US made) diagnostic on the charging system and it is fully functional with no issues. So I really need only the aux bat. Where is the best place to buy the aux batt. I called my supplier today and the best I can find on $$ is $140 for the aux battery. Somehow this seems to have a high MB tax applied. I would expect this to be around $100? Any help here.

konigstiger

http://www.parts.com - part #2115410001 $98.90

E500 AMG Sport

Someone posted that a 14-BS motorcycle battery is the same battery size and amperage. Just make sure it's an AGM battery and that it's sealed. Auto parts stores usually get around $75 for them. I also saw a guy on Ebay selling them for like $45. He has a battery store with good feedback- might want to try that.
Gary

locomercedes

I just had the same issue with this message 2 days ago. The car drives OK, no issues. Fromwhat Ive read here, I think its probably the aux battery, and just ordered one from parts.com for $98 plus shipping, total $115. Local stealer price: $200 incl tax. If its not the battery then i'll have the electrical system checked by an independent shop. I think the battery is probably near its end and needs replacement soon anyways (almost 5 years).

vettdvr

Thank you part ordered!

Anyone have any idea how long for delivery?

I have done some research on a generic replacement. Today I went to a autozone and they had a direct fit/spec bat but it was acid version not the AGM. I tried to get the clerk but service as usual with young lady clerk and young guy customer.

So for the record.

The factory part is mfg by FIAMM

They have at their website a direct replacement bat but the terminals are slightly different. Down side is not easily available in US.

The best change was for a
WESTCO 12B-4 in the AGM version. But you must have the square top post for both vertical and horizontal mount. Many will only have the horizontal post.

Second option is DELCO GTX 14-BS but no one local had this one.

Walmart has one the size ES12BS and but don't know if it is gell cell (agm) or lead acid.

Didn't have time to get to Walmart with all the returns going on today.

So I do believe there is a generic that will fit at a lower cost. But for the $total $115.74 delivered to the door with exact part number it was no longer economical to spend my time looking. Only down side is I have to wait for delvery and wanted to install it today. (Taking a 1000 mile trip next 10 days so hope the order arrives)

Interesting the procedure for installing the aux bat.

1) It requires disconnect main bat in trunk
2) Then replace aux.
3) Follow specific reconnect procedure for install main bat or possible damage to bat relay


So I was a bit suprised that the main bat can't just be reconnected after being disconnected. But then ocassionally I do learn something new. Happy New Year to all and be safe. vettdvr

locomercedes

My thinking exactly!

Vettdvr: where did you find the reconnect procedure? In the manual?

fortlaudsummer

Hi everyone,
First post here. It is amazing that I've only been around for about 2 days and already I have the answer to my problem!

I love this place

vettdvr

It is in the shop manual.

Edited and very short.

A) Be careful don't short anything and don't get hurt

Disconnect ground from main bat. in trunk. See A)

Open hood remove a/c cover to get to the aux bat.

Disconnect ground from aux bat. See A)

Disconnect + lead. See A)

Remove stuff as necessary to get the bat out. See A)

Install aux bat reverse of above. See A)

But since you disconnected the main bat there is a procedure to prevent damage to the battery control unit.

Connect main bat ground See A)

Turn ignition on. (note here don't start the engine)
Turn on driving lights
Turn blower to MAX high
Turn on rear window defogger
Turn on hazard flashers

After MINIMUM of 2 minutes start vehicle.

There may be a fault message "brake defective" in the steps but the manual gave no direction here.

So I did not give you all the don't drop, short, burn etc. If you really need these details I recommend you buy the manual. Part # P-2700-211-06 from MB.

If I missed any item feel free to add what I might have missed. I have not attempted to 100% copy the manual but only provide the critical steps that may help you.

vettdvr

FYI I just received a call from www.parts.com and they can not/will not ship this battery due to it being hazardous material. What I find interesting is that I have purchased agm batteries from other companies and alcohol/nitromethane fuels and had them delivered to my door.

So for folks considering purchasing from www.parts.com beware they have this restriction and will not ship Part# 2115410001 the aux battery for the Mercedes.

I told them to cancel the order as they will not ship. I will really take this into consideration next time I purchase MB parts.

I have all the data and now the search is on to find a generic replacement we can buy at the local autozone/walmart store.

konigstiger

FYI MBUSA $135 list/101 net - check PM

locomercedes

They sent me an email saying they shipped mine. It says SHIPPING METHOD: local truck delivery (no fedex or ups due to dangerous material). Perhaps they have a warehouse near me.

E500 AMG Sport

Here's the Ebay guy's link.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Power...Q5fAccessories

The pic shows a group size 12 but in the description it states it's a 14-BS and gives the dimensions.

vettdvr

Looks great to me. I can see no reason why that would not work.

phoenixdragon

Been browsing the MB STAR 2008.

There are several stages for shutdown of consumer devices if the system and aux batteries are low in charge.

The normal voltage is 12.6V or above for the system battery. If it drops to 12.3V, it will show a warning some convenience consumer devices will be shutdown. If it drops to 10.4V, it shuts down the system battery, the aux battery takes over. There is a long list of items to check if there are warnings. The alternator, the system battery, the aux battery, the battery sensor, the relays and fuses.

The recommended procedure is to follow the DAS MB STAR which will invoke the WIS net to diagnose.

What I just seen are ad-hoc methods.