Dead Battery Issues: 2002 C32
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Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
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c32 amg
Dead Battery Issues: 2002 C32
Just jump started my C32 after battery died. I get a new error messae: ESP Program not working. I noticed a second problem: transmission does not shift out of first. Any ideas why? The stock battery is quite large, can it be replaced by a regular battery or it requires a special one? Thanks,
andy T
andy T
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,101
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From: MA
Mosselman 190E 16V+ C63S+ Abarth 595
Happened to mine yesterday. The ESP malfunction will go away after a few restarts. I started mine up a few times, drove it around, parked, and then turned it back on and it was gone. Wouldnt don this if it was stuck in 1st though. I would keep turning it on and off and locking/unlocking it. I think when the battery dies it goes into stolen car mode- alarm goes off (when its unhooked it goes off if cars locked so when it dies it goes off and then turns into a tick since theres no power) and maybe it keeps the car in 1st so if it was stolen they cant really have a high speed getaway
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 272
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2002 C32, 2011 VW GTI
Just jump started my C32 after battery died. I get a new error messae: ESP Program not working. I noticed a second problem: transmission does not shift out of first. Any ideas why? The stock battery is quite large, can it be replaced by a regular battery or it requires a special one? Thanks,
andy T
andy T
Both of mine went bad and they're very expensive at the dealer. I was quoted $1,500 for both! Ouch. Fortunately, you can get them from other sources for much cheaper. I got the driver's side one for around $230 (remanufactured) and had my local mechanic install it for around 35 bucks. The passenger side is a little more of a problem because it is not available remanufactured, at least it wasn't as of last year. I ended up getting one for around 400 as I recall. Still cheaper than the $tealer.
The best way to tell is to unplug them and see if your battery still drains. If it doesn't, that's your problem. Fortunately, your battery may still be ok. Mine was.
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,539
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From: Southern Cal
a C32 AMG & S-Works Tarmac
Agreed. I had all sorts of crazy problems with my car when the battery was getting too old. I replaced the battery and the gremlins went away.
