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Can I Change the Battery by Myself?

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Old 06-16-2017 | 03:08 PM
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C204
Can I Change the Battery by Myself?

Can I change the battery by myself or I need to visit a workshop? The owner's manual says "visit a workshop"... are there any risks?

Also, where is the location of the car battery? I see one small battery in the trunk but it is too small to be the main one.
Old 06-16-2017 | 03:27 PM
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I don't see why not...

I had pasted a link that said C class but I don't think think it was

Will see if can find something...

Last edited by mrmotoguzzi00; 06-16-2017 at 03:32 PM.
Old 06-16-2017 | 03:36 PM
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16 E550 Cab, 2003 Ram bright red crewcab 4x4 we call Clifford :)
better link...


Old 06-16-2017 | 03:43 PM
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Seems a bit tough business considering my skills

This is W203... is the location of the battery the same in W204?

I've heard that the car must not be left without electricity because it may damage the system. That's why I was wondering if it is safe to remove the battery.
Old 06-16-2017 | 03:52 PM
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sorry your sig says you have a C204 ?
Old 06-16-2017 | 03:57 PM
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16 E550 Cab, 2003 Ram bright red crewcab 4x4 we call Clifford :)
did a quick search here on mbworld... wow what a mess... i guess the simple battery swaps are a thing of the past ? at least on your model...

here is the link i found...


https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...g-battery.html
Old 06-16-2017 | 04:15 PM
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Originally Posted by mrmotoguzzi00
sorry your sig says you have a C204 ?
C204 is C-class coupe.

I saw those threads and I was confused whether I could just swap the batteries or not...
Old 06-16-2017 | 04:21 PM
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During the install of my sound system, I had my battery out for almost 12 hours straight. Re-installed with no issues whatsoever!
Old 06-16-2017 | 04:22 PM
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MB W203 have a very fragile electrical system. Respectfully, with your lack of experience in this field , I strongly suggest you visit a technician who knows MB.
Old 06-16-2017 | 04:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Carsy
MB W203 have a very fragile electrical system. Respectfully, with your lack of experience in this field , I strongly suggest you visit a technician who knows MB.
Probably you are right
Old 06-16-2017 | 05:31 PM
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I found it very easy to swap the battery. On my sister's 2009 C300, we had to change the battery because it wouldn't start after sitting for a few hours. This would've been a problem when we were trying to sell the car later that week. So I bought a used battery and swapped it out in 15 mins. No isssues with any electronics. Just follow the vid and you should be fine.

Of course you can pay the dealer several hundred dollars to do it for you if you're really worried.
Old 06-17-2017 | 01:28 AM
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I changed the battery myself a year ago, piece of cake thing.
I have never heard of any electronics system to be possibly damaged without power. In general it is the other way around.
Old 06-17-2017 | 07:45 AM
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As Carsy wrote, W203 had a very weak electrical system. It seems that the problem has been fixed with W204.
Old 06-17-2017 | 01:02 PM
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Originally Posted by dchar
I found it very easy to swap the battery. I bought a used battery and swapped it out in 15 mins. No isssues with any electronics. Just follow the vid and you should be fine.

Of course you can pay the dealer several hundred dollars to do it for you if you're really worried.
Nearby MB Service Director advised using toll-free trouble line for a new battery. Prompt installation. Can't find the paperwork right now (but IIRC it was not outrageous).


ez
Old 06-20-2017 | 08:31 AM
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$300 installed with labor at the dealer. Can't really go wrong with that.
Old 07-07-2017 | 12:33 AM
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New owner (since March) of a 2012 C300 here. First post.

Boy, glad I didn't read this forum when my battery died last week on a Sunday. Found a good deal on a Bosch AGM at Pep Boys and changed it in the parking lot of the store. No fancy precautions and zero problems after.

Don't overthink this one.

Last edited by TheDurk; 07-08-2017 at 02:59 PM.
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Old 07-08-2017 | 08:51 AM
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Had my battery replaced, the simple way.

My battery went weak, the car refuse to start, I new its the battery as it was 8 years old and was coming for some time.

I went to a local cluedup electrical car shop, hes cluedup and work on all modern stuff including modern farm tractors etc, as well as Mercs, including W204.

I read about all the double power supplies in parralel etc.

The manual of my W204 explains the simply way.

He says no double connections. After he and one of his techs convinced me,... I 1-had the wrong battery issued by factory in the car(Aperage on these cars must be more), and 2) he guarantee the simple method will work as the manual said.
He ordered the expensive battery, and on arrival they came out to my home.

1-Brought new battery.
2-Unlock car, open bonnet, pull out keys.
3-Took off battery cover.
4-Disconnect Earth.
5-Disconnect Power lead.

6-Remove old battery, insert new battery.

7-Connect power lead.
8-Connect Earth lead.

10-Alarm went off, i sweat one drop.

11-Press key to acknowledge from outside the car.
12-Alarm reset, lock, unlock, no problem, no alarms, no indications.
13-Switch on and start car, no problem, no alarm or indications.

14-The radio & aircon lost settings which I corrected, otherwise I noticed nothing.

So far its going fine on new battery.

Yes, I could have done it myself.
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Old 07-08-2017 | 10:09 AM
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Originally Posted by Moto_Guzzi
My battery went weak, the car refuse to start, I new its the battery as it was 8 years old and was coming for some time...I 1-had the wrong battery issued by factory in the car(Aperage on these cars must be more)
Eight year old battery is very good to me. My original battery died, only fiver years. It's my weekend car; I often trickle charge it whenever I feel like to.

It is unbelievable that (1) MB has put in the wrong battery; (2) the wrong battery still lasts eight years.
Old 07-08-2017 | 11:22 AM
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Originally Posted by C300CA
Eight year old battery is very good to me. My original battery died, only fiver years. It's my weekend car; I often trickle charge it whenever I feel like to.

It is unbelievable that (1) MB has put in the wrong battery; (2) the wrong battery still lasts eight years.
I doubt it had to do with quality, rather output. The starter sounds slightly more brisk on this one(Than the other one ever did). My car never stands outside when not in use at home, I think that helped(moderate temps9/15--to--35).
Old 07-08-2017 | 02:59 PM
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Originally Posted by superangrypenguin
$300 installed with labor at the dealer. Can't really go wrong with that.
Right now, you can get the Bosch Platinum AGM I got at Pep Boys for $164 (same promotion I got). Plus 8 minutes work in the parking lot beats $300.

https://www.pepboys.com/product/deta...03.0L%2520DOHC

I know it was eight minutes because I arrived at 10 minutes before the 5pm Sunday closing time. Back on the road by 5:05.

How much time did you waste NOT doing the job yourself at the dealer?

Curious, what battery does the dealer cell? MB brand?

Last edited by TheDurk; 07-08-2017 at 03:07 PM.
Old 07-08-2017 | 03:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Moto_Guzzi
My battery went weak, the car refuse to start, I new its the battery as it was 8 years old and was coming for some time.

I went to a local cluedup electrical car shop, hes cluedup and work on all modern stuff including modern farm tractors etc, as well as Mercs, including W204.

I read about all the double power supplies in parralel etc.

The manual of my W204 explains the simply way.

He says no double connections. After he and one of his techs convinced me,... I 1-had the wrong battery issued by factory in the car(Aperage on these cars must be more), and 2) he guarantee the simple method will work as the manual said.
He ordered the expensive battery, and on arrival they came out to my home.

1-Brought new battery.
2-Unlock car, open bonnet, pull out keys.
3-Took off battery cover.
4-Disconnect Earth.
5-Disconnect Power lead.

6-Remove old battery, insert new battery.

7-Connect power lead.
8-Connect Earth lead.

10-Alarm went off, i sweat one drop.

11-Press key to acknowledge from outside the car.
12-Alarm reset, lock, unlock, no problem, no alarms, no indications.
13-Switch on and start car, no problem, no alarm or indications.

14-The radio & aircon lost settings which I corrected, otherwise I noticed nothing.

So far its going fine on new battery.

Yes, I could have done it myself.

Having the battery be incorrect FROM THE FACTORY with all the internal quality controls has to be virtually impossible. If it were incorrect chances are you would have had other problems long before eight years. I would have to question the ability of your mechanic on that. How did he determine that?
Old 07-08-2017 | 04:28 PM
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Originally Posted by TheDurk
Right now, you can get the Bosch Platinum AGM I got at Pep Boys for $164 (same promotion I got). Plus 8 minutes work in the parking lot beats $300.

https://www.pepboys.com/product/deta...03.0L%2520DOHC

I know it was eight minutes because I arrived at 10 minutes before the 5pm Sunday closing time. Back on the road by 5:05.

How much time did you waste NOT doing the job yourself at the dealer?

Curious, what battery does the dealer cell? MB brand?
Correct. I'm also on year 7 of my battery so I'm very impressed with MB OEM part quality. I may wait until year 8 or 9 to change given how strong the battery is behaving.
Old 07-08-2017 | 07:32 PM
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Originally Posted by superangrypenguin
Correct. I'm also on year 7 of my battery so I'm very impressed with MB OEM part quality. I may wait until year 8 or 9 to change given how strong the battery is behaving.
Local dealer service director indicated the MB toll-free road (similar to AAA) service route.

Gave me paperwork w/estimate a few moons back.

It was circa $230 American.




ez
Old 07-09-2017 | 12:03 AM
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You can purchase a small battery that plugs into your cigar lighter that keeps all your radio settings etc while you are swapping out the main battery
Old 07-09-2017 | 02:25 PM
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I changed my battery. No problem. Just took out the old. Put in the new.


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