Battery sudden death?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 386
Likes: 28
From: NorCal
'99 C43, '12 C63, '13 E350, '14 Sprinter
Battery sudden death?
I'm hoping it is just the battery, but wanted to check in with fellow C43/C36 owners.
I pulled into the garage last night and stopped the car after a 12 mile drive home from work. I then remembered my dry cleaning needed to be picked up, so I went to start the car again and ... tick tick, CEL, nothing. I turn it to the off position, try again and only the dash lights - all of them - came on. Nothing else would work. What seems odd about this is how it was fine earlier in the day and then just died. I put a charger on it over night, but it doesn't even have enough juice to run the headlights. My 190 battery went slowly and I knew it was happening long before it died. The e430 hasn't shown any signs, but is a 7 year old battery and my wife will have my nuts if she gets stranded.
So... is this normal behavior or is it likely something else?
I pulled into the garage last night and stopped the car after a 12 mile drive home from work. I then remembered my dry cleaning needed to be picked up, so I went to start the car again and ... tick tick, CEL, nothing. I turn it to the off position, try again and only the dash lights - all of them - came on. Nothing else would work. What seems odd about this is how it was fine earlier in the day and then just died. I put a charger on it over night, but it doesn't even have enough juice to run the headlights. My 190 battery went slowly and I knew it was happening long before it died. The e430 hasn't shown any signs, but is a 7 year old battery and my wife will have my nuts if she gets stranded.
So... is this normal behavior or is it likely something else?
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 291
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From: Portland, OR
2001 CLK320
Battery death
It can happen quickly like that - I had the same experience several years ago (very warm day - 90-95*). Drove around doing errands - worked fine. Got in the car after it sat a few hours - dead.
I've had others that were starting to crank slowly and just got too weak to operate the starter.
Often what happens is a cell dies or shorts out and that will put the whole thing out of commission.
For your older battery, have it load tested - it will show how deep of a charge it is holding. Very hot weather or cold weather will kill off an older battery that is getting weak.
Just had my 6 1/2 year old battery tested - still shows good, but it is about 98% of voltage under load...so I'll have to watch it for any signs of getting weaker.
I've had others that were starting to crank slowly and just got too weak to operate the starter.
Often what happens is a cell dies or shorts out and that will put the whole thing out of commission.
For your older battery, have it load tested - it will show how deep of a charge it is holding. Very hot weather or cold weather will kill off an older battery that is getting weak.
Just had my 6 1/2 year old battery tested - still shows good, but it is about 98% of voltage under load...so I'll have to watch it for any signs of getting weaker.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
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1967 Morris Cooper "S", 1983 911SC, 1997 Toyota Tacoma, 1999 HD FXSTB, 1998 C43
Sounds like it...I've had my little truck's battery go - same symptoms you described. I however can't complain, it's the first battery I've ever owned last me six years - it was an Optima spiral wound dry cell, I will buy no other. Don't waste your money on anything else.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 260
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From: Hudson Valley, NY
2005 E55 Black, 2007 GL450 Carneol Red
It sure can! Flaking lead in a bouncing battery can cause a short in an instant.
As I understand it, heat is the great battery killer. Summer heat causes a gradual deterioration that isn't noticeable until an extra load is required to start a cold motor. (It's usually not the cold that kills the battery unless the battery was discharged and the acid is more like water, which then easily freezes.)
This leads to another advantage of having a trunk mounted battery because it's cooler there than in the engine compartment.
BTW: Although the newer small appliance batteries (AAA, AA, etc.) batteries have better shelf life than decades ago, I still keep them in the refrigerator until I need them.
This leads to another advantage of having a trunk mounted battery because it's cooler there than in the engine compartment.
BTW: Although the newer small appliance batteries (AAA, AA, etc.) batteries have better shelf life than decades ago, I still keep them in the refrigerator until I need them.
Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 119
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From: Dallas
'99 C43
I've been expecting the same thing out of my original battery any time now - it's 8 years old. I have had that same sudden battery death experience in several other cars.
I have even looked for possible new batteries for my C43 in anticipation - or to replace before the inevitable happens. I would like an Optima, but a search of their applications indicates that there is not one for the C43. Has anyone used an Optima from an alternate application in their C43?
Thanks,
John
I have even looked for possible new batteries for my C43 in anticipation - or to replace before the inevitable happens. I would like an Optima, but a search of their applications indicates that there is not one for the C43. Has anyone used an Optima from an alternate application in their C43?
Thanks,
John
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 386
Likes: 28
From: NorCal
'99 C43, '12 C63, '13 E350, '14 Sprinter
I've been expecting the same thing out of my original battery any time now - it's 8 years old. I have had that same sudden battery death experience in several other cars.
I have even looked for possible new batteries for my C43 in anticipation - or to replace before the inevitable happens. I would like an Optima, but a search of their applications indicates that there is not one for the C43. Has anyone used an Optima from an alternate application in their C43?
Thanks,
John
I have even looked for possible new batteries for my C43 in anticipation - or to replace before the inevitable happens. I would like an Optima, but a search of their applications indicates that there is not one for the C43. Has anyone used an Optima from an alternate application in their C43?
Thanks,
John
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,330
Likes: 0
1967 Morris Cooper "S", 1983 911SC, 1997 Toyota Tacoma, 1999 HD FXSTB, 1998 C43
I don't know of the CCA (cold cranking amps) that an OEM MB battery has. Match up the CCA from your MB and get the closest Optima brand. You may have to make a spacer for it, in order for it to fit without sliding around.
