RD Sport

My car 2002 C-200K sedan can not start this morning. When I put in the smartkey, it's normal. Then when I turn it to the II position, nothing happened!. The centre of the dash will become dim and the out. Then when I try the key off and re-put it, the centre of the dash is ok with the KM traveled display. Then, I tried to switch on the head light, I can only activate the dim light (the small 5V light). Then, I tried to switch on the fog light or the low beam headlamp. It can not be switched on and the centre of the dash goes dim and out.

What kind of problem does it have? Is it the battery???

Harris

With the heat these days and the A/C is always on, its not surprising the battery is dead.

RD Sport

Thanks, any more thoughts?

hint2

Sounds like a dead battery. The best thing you can do is measuring the voltage of the battery. If the battery can't hold the voltage at 12V when you start the car, you have a dead battery.

RD Sport

Thanks.

Also, when I unlock the car, the "tiny stick" on the doors are not willing to go up and they go up very slowly. Then, I tried to open the sunroof, I have to tried several time before it can be opened. It really seems the car do not have battery. But since the car has alot of electronics, I am very concerned.

Matt230K

Don't be concerned about the electronics. They will all work fine once you get a new battery.

Buellwinkle

When you do replace the battery run the power windows down and back up and hold for a few seconds (same with roof if you have that) and turn the steering wheel lock to lock for each side. This will reset the electronics. Sounds silly but you'll know when it happens.

Also batteries are odd, I've had ones in cars for 7-8 years (my 97 Honda and 98 Ford still have the factory battery) and I've had batteries die after a year or two, you never know. Check your charging system as that may be at fault. Your local auto supply store like Pep Boys has a good load tester for your battery, first charge it up and bring it over. Put a meter on the battery terminals while running, it should show about 13.5 - 14 Volts while charging.

revstriker

If it is your battery, you should be able to start the car with a jump. If this works, then you will know that the battery was the cause of your car not starting.

Of course, why your battery went bad is another story...

Good luck, and let us know how you make out...

hint2

RD Sport,

Just sent you a pm.

steffen

My dad lives in Florida and his battery on the "M" class went out after two years. The dealer there says it's quite common for batteries to only last 1-2 years due to the salt air environment.

Never had to change my batteries ever here in California

--S

viper

The dealer is telling you a load of crap. The battery is sealed and has positive pressure displacement. That means that outside air cannot possibly get inside. Maybe the dealers brain is corroding with the salt air.

steffen

I don't know - batteries in Florida only seem to last 2 years - that's the empirical evidence. Maybe it's the 100+ degree days along with the humidity that cause a breakdown in the chemicals for the battery. Or just the fact that the battery is more stressed running the AC at full power all year long...

--S

viper

Your ideas are much better than the dealers. Salt air has nothing to do with it but your answers are probable.

midas888

Back to what RD Sport was asking about, the same thing happened to my parents when they took the car out. They went shopping and then when they came back and tried to start the car, it wouldn't start. So they tried getting out of the car and locking it and then unlocking it to try to reset it. But the lock and unlock on the key didn't work. Finally they just kept on trying to start it and it started.

Turns out the key became defective somehow. I know, it's a strange story, but the defective key is the problem the dealership pointed to.... *shrug* As long as everything is working now, I'm happy. Good luck with your situation RD Sport.. let us know what happens.

RD Sport

Thanks guys! You guys are always helpful.

It turned out to be a defective battery. The dealer replace it with a new battery and everything is fine now. But it very strange the battery die in only 1 year!

TNblkc230wz

While you don't expect it, I've had batteries die after a year or two. Sometimes they just blow a cell.