[B]electrical issue, bad battery drain[/B]
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Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 65
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From: alabama
1997 mercedes e300d
[B]electrical issue, bad battery drain[/B]
I have a 97' E300D. I was getting a CEL code for an intake resonance valve. The valve was replaced, but the light came on again. I took the car to Crown Mercedes in Birmingham, AL to have the valve replaced and the CEL code checked.
The mechanics worked on the car for two days, ordered a new switch for the valve after doing several tests, the mechanic (who I believe to be inexperienced seeing how he had to consult with several other mechanics in my presence) decided the switch was bad and he ordered a new one.
The next day the switch came in but the battery was dead? The battery was so dead that it would not hold a charge at all. Of course they called and said I needed a new battery (the old one worked fine) for $250, but I could bring them a new battery, so I went to Costco and got a new battery and took it to them for installation. A few hours later I picked up the car and before I got out of the lot, the "display defective" light came on. I noticed two of the bulbs on the instument panel were out. I called to report the problem and asked the service guy to call, he didn't.
A few hours later, I started the car and the Elecronic Traction Control Light came on, another light came on, then the display defective light cam on and
stayed on. A few hours more and the battery was once again dead, completely dead, just a smidgen of power left. I checked the connections, they were fine. MB roadside assistance came the next day and tried to jump the car with a power box, eventually with a direct jump, the car started and is now at the dealership.
The service guy is saying "The alternator is bad" the seat control module is bad and draining the battery", and "there are other electrical concerns" and he "would get back to me."
Come on, the alternator? Seat control module? Other electrical concerns is definitely the problem, but MB is pointing the finger at me! Crown wants me to pay for the diagnosis and repairs.
Is there anything that would cause that much of a drain? What would cause a brand new battery to drain in less than 6 hours?
The seats work, but not the way they are supposed to work. The seat works in all directions except go back, it goes forward no matter, but I use the memory and it goes right back....but it works and doesn't appear to stay on. The alternator? no way, not a new battery in 6 hours and when the car was idling, the lights stayed bright, not dimming at lower RPMs.
I think the mechanic shorted something out, but what would cause that kind of drain and not trip the code sensors?
The mechanics worked on the car for two days, ordered a new switch for the valve after doing several tests, the mechanic (who I believe to be inexperienced seeing how he had to consult with several other mechanics in my presence) decided the switch was bad and he ordered a new one.
The next day the switch came in but the battery was dead? The battery was so dead that it would not hold a charge at all. Of course they called and said I needed a new battery (the old one worked fine) for $250, but I could bring them a new battery, so I went to Costco and got a new battery and took it to them for installation. A few hours later I picked up the car and before I got out of the lot, the "display defective" light came on. I noticed two of the bulbs on the instument panel were out. I called to report the problem and asked the service guy to call, he didn't.
A few hours later, I started the car and the Elecronic Traction Control Light came on, another light came on, then the display defective light cam on and
stayed on. A few hours more and the battery was once again dead, completely dead, just a smidgen of power left. I checked the connections, they were fine. MB roadside assistance came the next day and tried to jump the car with a power box, eventually with a direct jump, the car started and is now at the dealership.
The service guy is saying "The alternator is bad" the seat control module is bad and draining the battery", and "there are other electrical concerns" and he "would get back to me."
Come on, the alternator? Seat control module? Other electrical concerns is definitely the problem, but MB is pointing the finger at me! Crown wants me to pay for the diagnosis and repairs.
Is there anything that would cause that much of a drain? What would cause a brand new battery to drain in less than 6 hours?
The seats work, but not the way they are supposed to work. The seat works in all directions except go back, it goes forward no matter, but I use the memory and it goes right back....but it works and doesn't appear to stay on. The alternator? no way, not a new battery in 6 hours and when the car was idling, the lights stayed bright, not dimming at lower RPMs.
I think the mechanic shorted something out, but what would cause that kind of drain and not trip the code sensors?
Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 87
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cheaper than a benz...
a seat control module, may not be shutting down, it has to go to "sleep", if the module does not go to sleep, it stays on causing a amp draw on the battery, the seats may appear to operate as normal but a once the car has shut down, key removed, car locked, the module never shuts off causing the complaint you have
