E-Class (W124) 1984-1995: E 260, E 300, E 320, E 420, E 500 (Includes CE, T, TD models)

dead battery

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Old Jan 3, 2011 | 04:28 PM
  #1  
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1990 300e 2.6ltr
dead battery

i replaced the battery in my 90-300E w/a new one and it's dead with in 6 to 8 hrs same case with old battery and installed battery shutoff seitch
but getting tirerd of popping hood all the time.
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Old Jan 3, 2011 | 04:51 PM
  #2  
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300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
OBvious

question,but have you tried testing the alternator output?
Or is it draining without even running the car?
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Old Jan 3, 2011 | 04:58 PM
  #3  
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1990 300e 2.6ltr
alt is producing 13.8 volt's and battery dies only when car is not running.
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Old Jan 3, 2011 | 05:08 PM
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300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
Get out

the multimeter and start testing circuit drain.via the fuse boxes.
Something is pulling a massive load.
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Old Jan 3, 2011 | 10:38 PM
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2018 GLE350, 2014 G550, 2000 SL500, 1980 TR8, 1995 E320 Cabriolet
Connect a the ammeter function from a multi-meter in series with the negative terminal of the battery (the + lead of the ammeter to the battery and the - lead to the chassis ground lead). Start on the highest current setting (usually 10 amp for most digital multi-meters). Note the reading - normal is less than 50 milliamperes (0.050 Amps) or so. If your battery is draining that fast the current reading should be very high - 5 - 10 amps! Start pulling fuses one at a time until the reading drops significantly. Don't forget the big fusible links under the hood. If you can't find the draw via the fuses, you may also want to disconnect the alternator - a bad alternator diode is a common cause the sudden high current draws.

Good luck.

- FD
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Old Jan 6, 2011 | 12:01 PM
  #6  
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It changes all the time
FD has just explained one of the two ways to determine if you have a key off current drain. The other way which I prefer is to measure voltage instead of current. I disconnect the negative lead to the battery and install a wire wound 1 ohm 10 W resistor between battery terminal and cable. Then I measure the voltage drop across the resistor. Anything over .05 V is excessive. I prefer this method, because it is safer for the meter. Both FD's method and mine are the professional approach to solving your problem. Good luck.
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Old Jan 6, 2011 | 02:13 PM
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1991 300ce
There's a product called a battery brain which will give you a remote control battery disconnect for your keychain. Cheaper that having to pull the dash apart.
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Old Jan 6, 2011 | 06:01 PM
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It changes all the time
Originally Posted by strat300ce
There's a product called a battery brain which will give you a remote control battery disconnect for your keychain. Cheaper that having to pull the dash apart.
Why not just correct the problem?
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