Car won't start/battery question
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Car won't start/battery question
So, my 2008 CLK350 with 80k miles let me down Saturday night. DW and I went out and after stopping to get a gift for a friend, the car would not start and the dash would not light up. Also, the key would not turn.
I called for roadside assistance and the guy tried using his portable battery charger to jump it, but it would not start. We also tried jumping directly with another car's battery. The dash lit up, but it would not even crank. The charger reported that my battery was at 75%.
I have since looked through my maintenance log and I do not see where the battery was ever replaced.
My questions:
Should I assume it is the battery that needs replacing?
Why wouldn't it jump?
Is it possible that this is the original battery? It is OEM.
Thanks everyone!
I called for roadside assistance and the guy tried using his portable battery charger to jump it, but it would not start. We also tried jumping directly with another car's battery. The dash lit up, but it would not even crank. The charger reported that my battery was at 75%.
I have since looked through my maintenance log and I do not see where the battery was ever replaced.
My questions:
Should I assume it is the battery that needs replacing?
Why wouldn't it jump?
Is it possible that this is the original battery? It is OEM.
Thanks everyone!
#3
Member
Thread Starter
#4
Member
Friendly Local Auto Parts Store :-)
Some cars like our MBZ need so many AMPs the alternator is not strong enough on it's own to start or to run the car. The donor car coupled with a dead battery may not have enough amps either. a short does not help too.
Some cars like our MBZ need so many AMPs the alternator is not strong enough on it's own to start or to run the car. The donor car coupled with a dead battery may not have enough amps either. a short does not help too.
Last edited by DRACO; 04-04-2016 at 05:36 PM.
#5
Member
Thread Starter
So, after $290 I got my car back and running. I was not happy about the price. And that is after my military discount!
He put in an AC Delco Professional Silver with 30 month warranty. $167 for the battery. $90 for labor to diagnose and replace battery, $20 for "shop supplies" etc...
Ouch!
He put in an AC Delco Professional Silver with 30 month warranty. $167 for the battery. $90 for labor to diagnose and replace battery, $20 for "shop supplies" etc...
Ouch!
#6
Member
Well, now you are up and running. I'd say invest in a cheap Digital Volt Meter. Next time check the battery yourself. Anything under 12.5 Volts, you need to remove and have it tested for free at a FLAPS.
Shop supplies? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?
Let's see 10MM socket and Ratchet, Elbow Grease, Used Shop Rag. Disposal fee would have been a more believable charge, even then he get money for the core. Hmm :-/
Shop supplies? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?
Let's see 10MM socket and Ratchet, Elbow Grease, Used Shop Rag. Disposal fee would have been a more believable charge, even then he get money for the core. Hmm :-/
#7
Member
Thread Starter
Well, now you are up and running. I'd say invest in a cheap Digital Volt Meter. Next time check the battery yourself. Anything under 12.5 Volts, you need to remove and have it tested for free at a FLAPS.
Shop supplies? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?
Let's see 10MM socket and Ratchet, Elbow Grease, Used Shop Rag. Disposal fee would have been a more believable charge, even then he get money for the core. Hmm :-/
Shop supplies? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?
Let's see 10MM socket and Ratchet, Elbow Grease, Used Shop Rag. Disposal fee would have been a more believable charge, even then he get money for the core. Hmm :-/
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#8
MBworld Guru
FYI, the reason it wouldn't jump start is because the battery was internally shorted from warped plates. This make it act like a giant resistor. The trick is to disconnect the negative lead from the battery and then try jumping.
#9
Senior Member
So, after $290 I got my car back and running. I was not happy about the price. And that is after my military discount!
He put in an AC Delco Professional Silver with 30 month warranty. $167 for the battery. $90 for labor to diagnose and replace battery, $20 for "shop supplies" etc...
Ouch!
He put in an AC Delco Professional Silver with 30 month warranty. $167 for the battery. $90 for labor to diagnose and replace battery, $20 for "shop supplies" etc...
Ouch!
The following users liked this post:
XXBogey (05-21-2016)
#10
MBWorld Fanatic!
So, my 2008 CLK350 with 80k miles let me down Saturday night. DW and I went out and after stopping to get a gift for a friend, the car would not start and the dash would not light up. Also, the key would not turn.
I called for roadside assistance and the guy tried using his portable battery charger to jump it, but it would not start. We also tried jumping directly with another car's battery. The dash lit up, but it would not even crank. The charger reported that my battery was at 75%.
I have since looked through my maintenance log and I do not see where the battery was ever replaced.
My questions:
Should I assume it is the battery that needs replacing?
Why wouldn't it jump?
Is it possible that this is the original battery? It is OEM.
Thanks everyone!
I called for roadside assistance and the guy tried using his portable battery charger to jump it, but it would not start. We also tried jumping directly with another car's battery. The dash lit up, but it would not even crank. The charger reported that my battery was at 75%.
I have since looked through my maintenance log and I do not see where the battery was ever replaced.
My questions:
Should I assume it is the battery that needs replacing?
Why wouldn't it jump?
Is it possible that this is the original battery? It is OEM.
Thanks everyone!
#12
Member
Thread Starter
As they say, "hindsight is 20/20".
I think I will get my regular mechanic to load test the battery at every oil change from now on though.
#13
MBworld Guru
And speaking of Advance Auto, I highly recommend their "platinum" battery - it's an AMG with a full 100% replacement 4-year warranty for about the same price as genuine MBZ. I have one on both cars, and given that the C240 doesn't get driven much, it has proven to be very good at "standing by" for weeks at a time.
The following users liked this post:
XXBogey (05-21-2016)
#14
And speaking of Advance Auto, I highly recommend their "platinum" battery - it's an AMG with a full 100% replacement 4-year warranty for about the same price as genuine MBZ. I have one on both cars, and given that the C240 doesn't get driven much, it has proven to be very good at "standing by" for weeks at a time.
#15
MBWorld Fanatic!
Well for me; The dealer was not going to change it for no labor charge and Adv Auto is a lot closer and they won't take 2-3 hours to do it...... And I've found that if it ain't under warranty, the dealerships treat you as a second class customer......
#16
MBworld Guru
Anyhow, why buy from Advance Auto? It's a better battery (AGM) and a better warranty: 4 years, vs. 1 year from the dealer.
#17
Super Member
Interesting. Where I live, Advance Auto warranty on an H8 AGM battery ($135 with coupon) is 3 years and MB battery ($228 with a slight discount) warranty is 2 years.
#18
Super Member
Wow, 8 years on an original battery? That has to be a record. Our 2008 original battery was replaced under the car's warranty at the 4 year mark (a couple of weeks before the warranty expired).
#19
MBworld Guru
Yeah, it looks like they have lowered the price but shortened the warranty. When I bought mine, it was $229 (before discounts/coupons) but with a 4-year warranty.