Battery Dead at O'hare Airport - Help!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 262
Likes: 2
2010 C63
Battery Dead at O'hare Airport - Help!
It feels like I am coming here more and more to get insight on problems with this car. A sign that it is time to get out from under it.
Long story short, my car is at O'hare short term parking with a dead battery. Several attempts by tow truck companies to jump it have been unsuccessful. My research says that when the battery goes, it goes and they are unable to be revived. MB USA has sent 3 companies out there to tow it and they have all be unable to get it due to clearance reasons and the car being lowered.
Full disclosure, I may have left the fog lights on as a headlight went out the day before I had to leave so I was using only fogs on the way in.
The real problem is that I live 2:20 away in Michigan. I have found someone to drive me into Chicago tomorrow to swap the battery, but I am worried it will not work.
Anyone have some insight? Will the battery solve my issue?
Thanks for your time.
Long story short, my car is at O'hare short term parking with a dead battery. Several attempts by tow truck companies to jump it have been unsuccessful. My research says that when the battery goes, it goes and they are unable to be revived. MB USA has sent 3 companies out there to tow it and they have all be unable to get it due to clearance reasons and the car being lowered.
Full disclosure, I may have left the fog lights on as a headlight went out the day before I had to leave so I was using only fogs on the way in.
The real problem is that I live 2:20 away in Michigan. I have found someone to drive me into Chicago tomorrow to swap the battery, but I am worried it will not work.
Anyone have some insight? Will the battery solve my issue?
Thanks for your time.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 652
Likes: 83
From: Chicago
W463
I had the same problem leaving the parking lights on. I was able to jump the battery back after a few tries as it wasn't drained for long and I am on a newer MB battery.
Any "Exotic/Classic" specialty towing company should be able to do it. Lowered C63's don't have too much overhang even when you are slammed. Just make sure to request for a flat bed and have them bring a few 2x4's. I've ask for this method to tow extremely low cars 1-2" ground clearance. They should be able to slowly angle and bring the car up slowly without damaging anything but ... 2x4's are a must or a dolly. Its more tedious than hooking it up to a regular car and reeling it up but it can be done if you let them know beforehand.
Since you are near O'Hare, try these guys. They are Exotic/Classic car qualified.
Tomatow Towing & Transport
1322 W Irving Park Road
Bensenville, IL 60106
P: (630) 595-3100
Good luck.
Any "Exotic/Classic" specialty towing company should be able to do it. Lowered C63's don't have too much overhang even when you are slammed. Just make sure to request for a flat bed and have them bring a few 2x4's. I've ask for this method to tow extremely low cars 1-2" ground clearance. They should be able to slowly angle and bring the car up slowly without damaging anything but ... 2x4's are a must or a dolly. Its more tedious than hooking it up to a regular car and reeling it up but it can be done if you let them know beforehand.
Since you are near O'Hare, try these guys. They are Exotic/Classic car qualified.
Tomatow Towing & Transport
1322 W Irving Park Road
Bensenville, IL 60106
P: (630) 595-3100
Good luck.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,308
Likes: 80
From: Houston - Clear Lake
C63 coupe, Z3M Roadster garage queen
Sometimes a cable with crappy clamps won't make a good connection and you will need to use a better cable, and sometimes you need to be patient while the battery builds charge, but have never seen a need to two cables.
Last edited by zcct04; Aug 23, 2016 at 12:35 PM.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 262
Likes: 2
2010 C63
It finally turned up at a Chicago area dealership. The battery and Ignition switch are both bad according them. Thankfully (I hope), because I wrecked my car in Janurary and all of those items were replaced, I will get it under some sort of warranty. I am waiting to hear back from the dealer that repaired the car when wrecked. As it stands now the quote is just under $2,000 to fix.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,462
Likes: 54
FF. W212 E63 M156 non-pano 18" P2 ParkT NightV (gone but will be missed).
Miss the good old days of manual when you can just push start the car and be on your way. Why can't life be easy like that?!
So how much are you getting charged for the parking? Are you at one of the long-term lots at the airport?
So how much are you getting charged for the parking? Are you at one of the long-term lots at the airport?
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 650
Likes: 20
From: Alabama
09 Carrera S, , 03 F250 CC FX4
It finally turned up at a Chicago area dealership. The battery and Ignition switch are both bad according them. Thankfully (I hope), because I wrecked my car in Janurary and all of those items were replaced, I will get it under some sort of warranty. I am waiting to hear back from the dealer that repaired the car when wrecked. As it stands now the quote is just under $2,000 to fix.
Apparently this is common failure on the 08-09 years of the w204's.
Fortunately my local indy shop is only charging around $900
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 262
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2010 C63
Well I just get a call, the car was supposed to be done by tomorrow. It appears that have NO CLUE why it won't start. They are requesting my other key which i offered to send to them 10 days ago.
They are also stating that the Midcity Engineering remote start could have been the problem, which I am 99% sure is BS. I feel like they are positioning themselves to get out of warranty these parts that were replaced in the wreck back in JAN.
They are also stating that the Midcity Engineering remote start could have been the problem, which I am 99% sure is BS. I feel like they are positioning themselves to get out of warranty these parts that were replaced in the wreck back in JAN.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,899
Likes: 93
C63 AMG
Well I just get a call, the car was supposed to be done by tomorrow. It appears that have NO CLUE why it won't start. They are requesting my other key which i offered to send to them 10 days ago.
They are also stating that the Midcity Engineering remote start could have been the problem, which I am 99% sure is BS. I feel like they are positioning themselves to get out of warranty these parts that were replaced in the wreck back in JAN.
They are also stating that the Midcity Engineering remote start could have been the problem, which I am 99% sure is BS. I feel like they are positioning themselves to get out of warranty these parts that were replaced in the wreck back in JAN.
