Plaese HELP diagnose. Wierd Electrical Problem 2002 C230
 

Hello,
I got in my 2002 C230 today and when I tried to start it the dash indicators got all dim and it wouldnt turn over. Ok, dead battery even though I had driven it 3 hours before. I try the headlights to confirm, wierd, they work perfectly. I hook it up to the battery charger, to make sure it isnt the battery and stilll nothing but fast clicking under the hood when the key is in the run position. I try to get it to turn over a bit more and all I hear is clicking noises, hmm must be the starter.

I decide to see if it will pop start and it does. The motor runs fine revs etc.

The wierd thing is that the headlights and interior screen by the speedometer flicker when the engine is running. If you rev it the flickering stays the same. I drove it all the way home with the flickering lights and the ECU doesnt complain about anything but the ESP. No alternator warning light or anything else.

I shut off the car and try to start it. Same thing clicking under the hood, dash screen flickers and it doesnt turn over.


I have no clue where to even begin with this. Can anyone please make some suggestions? Relay? Diode? something electromechanical?

-thank you
-mtl

Check the ground strap from engine to ground, and the battery negative cable.

Its all good, I checked it right away.