My 2001 C240 broke down due to not starting, and I had to pull it to safety. I did not realize that the starter fuse 52 had blown, and so I removed the starter and tested it, and it was OK, but running slow. I did not realize that it might have been the battery that had caused the initial trouble. I found out that fuse 52 was blown, and changed it, and it blew again and two others. I took the starter in for repairs, because the brushes were almost gone, and was also not sure if the solenoid had a short circuit. The starter returned from repairs with a new solenoid, but the car won't start. I tested it directly with the battery, and it still turned slow. The battery charge was low, and even when jump started. I then took the battery(original 2001 item) for testing, and they said that the cells were dead, with 11.99V&204A instead of 12V&800A. I also checked the front SAM module for corrosion and burns, but there was little copper corrosion and no burns. I am now waiting for a new battery and will take it from there. I suspect that The 20Amps fuse #52 blew due to overload on the solenoid when the rotor did not spin due to low battery. I will let you know if the car starts. I just hope that I did not damage more things by replacing blown fuses.

moved to W203 forum...

thanks

15 year old battery? You're joking righr?

Yes, it's true. Mercedes batteries are like fantasy, unbelievable stuff. I've just bought a non Mercedes battery but it did not work. I have returned it, and will now try another brand. I will also see if the starter cable from battery is corroded or not. Will keep you posted. I really want my car to start now, and it's been two weeks without it.

Dying batteries cause a myriad of problems on these cars.
1st time I replaced I was having the battery checked pretty regularly at the auto parts store. New it's supposed to be like 950 CCA.
Mine was at ~650 when I started checking, when it got down to
400 I decided to change it after 6 year sof service. I put in an Autolite battery, which lasted 5 or so years, and most recently (yeah yeah yeah)
a Walmart battery. Seems to be working fine. This Jan. I'll have had this car 15 years.
Hard to believe.

Finally found the culprit. It was the starter battery cable. It was rotten very close to the starter's positive point. It caused fuse 52 to blow all the time, because of a loose connection (where it was rotten). The alternator cable was also rotten closer to the starter's positive point. I am now looking for suitable connector so that I can reconnect both cables, and then install the starter. I will get back to you soon, and hopefully there is no other fault.

The culprit, corroded starter and alternator cables.

Fuse 52 should be elevated from 15 to 20 amps as per factory bulletin.

Todd, my old C240 battery is 13 years old & still passes a load test.

It's ALIVE!!! Glyn, you old fart, how's things?
Slumming over here in the 203 forum?
No new vehicles since the CLK?

13 years on a battery?

Hey look what I came across on ebay?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MERCEDES-OEM...xXggmY&vxp=mtr

Car started after repairing the battery wire. Thanks for commenting on the post