Dendo1962

Hello
My SL sat all winter, I started it throughout the winter, when I started it I would get warnings from computer system, abc see workshop, tail lights, anyway, took the beast for its first ride today, ran great, but comfort controls came up not available, door locks wouldn't lock with key fab, what's up with that? Will this clear up?

cdk4219

First thing that comes to mind is the rear convenience battery that may be needing a replacement, or at least good charging. Disconnecting both batteries, may reset some stuff, but usually when the batteries go bad weird stuff happens. It is where I would start.

Dendo1962

thanks for the info, I'll throw the charger on first and see how that goes.
I did get a red battery sign in one of the warnings as well,
thanks again...

kittyandgary

IF you don't already have one, you might want to invest in a CTek battery maintainer/charger. The AGM batteries in the rear are pretty touchy about the charging process. CTek runs a cycle to charge that matches the rear battery's needs. Around $150, I understand with the MB logo on it, about $60-75 with the manufacturers logo on it!

Dendo1962

is this the charger
CTEK 12 Volt Lithium US CTEK 12V Battery Analyzer CTEK Bumper List Price: $119.99
Our Price: $107.99
Add to cart for lower price

kittyandgary

Here's a link to the CTek website and the maintainer /charger I bought. I found it some place for around $75 about a year ago.

http://www.techbatterysolutions.com/...er-p/ct001.htm

It may have been this site, just can't remember! :

http://www.batterystore.com/ctek-lit...FUYjgQodhb0AkQ

Dendo1962

awesome, just found one for $70
thanks for the help,
battery could stay connected correct?

kittyandgary

Yes, battery stays connected to the chassis. I hard wired the maintainer 'connector' with the pigtails to my battery, then left the 'connector' as a pigtail at the rear of the trunk. Easy to open the trunk, connect the maintainer portion to the pigtail portion, then lower the trunk to almost closed while the maintainer keeps the battery charged and cycled. Fully closing the trunk would be no problem, as the cord would be compressed into the rubber trunk seal, but I just prefer not to close it as the car is garaged, so 'safe'.

I do this for about 2 days every 7-10 days if I'm not driving the car. Probably OK to leave it connected all the time if you're not driving it.

Dendo1962

great, sorry for the basic questions, but I heard issues can come up in the system like you said when charging, I am an ex mechanic on hot rods but never for these types of cars, this is my first sl and want to make sure I don't mess up, I do have a good indy that works on the car for maintenance,

thanks for the help

kittyandgary

No problemo. These cars are much more complex than any I've owned before (previous to this one it was the Porsche 928 GTS I have!). I've owned mine for about 16 months, and learned a LOT by reading posts from this forum and by using other R230 (and other AMG model) forums as well.

carguyshu

the front battery is a regular lead battery and it only starts the car. the rear is not a lead battery and runs everything else. the charging system is complex and it can actually start the car from the trunk battery if the front one is dead.

Dendo1962

great to know...
thanks

carguyshu

you also only need to plug a trickle charger into the rear one and that will also keep the front starter battery charged

Dendo1962

what happens if I hit it to the front battery?

walterwhite

I've also charged the front battery with the CTek charger no problem.

Dendo1962

great, thanks again guys... I should have charger on Monday.. hopefully no issues..
I'm sure I'll be back with another question about something else on this ride...

Dendo1962

Hello
I hooked up the charger and the car is giving a pulsing sound, it's not coming from charger but charger lights are flashing.
I'm thinking battery is NG. I have it on motorcycle mode and it stopped the pulsing sound.
I left it on that mode for now.
Any advice?
Thanks

walterwhite

Sounds like you don't have a good connection to the battery. Verify connection, if it's still not charging, that battery is shot.