Dead battery
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,939
Likes: 178
From: Seattle WA
99 E320
you should NOT jump start the vehicle. alternators were never designed to
charge a battery but simply to maintain them when they are already at a
relatively healthy state.
if the battery is already in a deep state of discharge, though the jump start may
be successful, the poor health of the battery will put an inordinate load upon the
alternator.
if you have a maintenance free battery, check (or have someone) the voltage
of the battery at rest, as well as under cranking load. this will give you an idea
how severely discharged the battery is.
if you have the older design, flooded cell with removable caps, it would be a
good idea to check the electrolyte level as well as the specific gravity. add
distilled water to cover the plates only and no more. do not do any of these
things if you have a gel or AGM battery as their construction requires different
methods to determine state of health
trickle charge the battery overnight, e.g. 8 hours on a 10 amp charger. try to
start the car again. also, monitor the voltage again as described above.
report back if you need further tips as the flow chart of options may vary
depending on your report
may as well review and perform a good walkaround and 'preflight' check
of fluids, lights, tire pressure, brakes....
p.s. once power is restored and stabilized you may need to reset several
of the appliances. may as well look for the radio security code now
charge a battery but simply to maintain them when they are already at a
relatively healthy state.
if the battery is already in a deep state of discharge, though the jump start may
be successful, the poor health of the battery will put an inordinate load upon the
alternator.
if you have a maintenance free battery, check (or have someone) the voltage
of the battery at rest, as well as under cranking load. this will give you an idea
how severely discharged the battery is.
if you have the older design, flooded cell with removable caps, it would be a
good idea to check the electrolyte level as well as the specific gravity. add
distilled water to cover the plates only and no more. do not do any of these
things if you have a gel or AGM battery as their construction requires different
methods to determine state of health
trickle charge the battery overnight, e.g. 8 hours on a 10 amp charger. try to
start the car again. also, monitor the voltage again as described above.
report back if you need further tips as the flow chart of options may vary
depending on your report
may as well review and perform a good walkaround and 'preflight' check
of fluids, lights, tire pressure, brakes....
p.s. once power is restored and stabilized you may need to reset several
of the appliances. may as well look for the radio security code now
Last edited by raymond g-; Sep 8, 2016 at 02:30 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 1,117
A gaggle of MB's
1) Please make sure key is out of ignition during hook-up/charging/disconnect - or you can fry a key or worse
2) Since battery is "dead" - good time to disconnect the cables and give those connections a good cleaning both side
3) If you don't have a owner's manual - and you will need your radio code - you can download a 2000 E-Class manual - same reset instruction - use link to mbusa below:
https://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/servi...&class=E-Class
2) Since battery is "dead" - good time to disconnect the cables and give those connections a good cleaning both side
3) If you don't have a owner's manual - and you will need your radio code - you can download a 2000 E-Class manual - same reset instruction - use link to mbusa below:
https://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/servi...&class=E-Class
