I have a 1999 E430 with original battery with 33k. I drove the car yesterday for approximately 45 miles.Today my wife went to start the car and the only sound was a clicking noise. This is the first time this has happened.
Knowing that the battery was over 5 years old can the battery be incapable to start the car? I checked the battery voltage and it read 10.6 v. Therefore I called AAA to have them jumpstart the car. The the car didn't start up right away but it eventually started.
The car ran for 15 minutes and it was turned off again. Once again the car did not start and the only sound was a clicking noise. I checked the battery voltage again and the meter read 12.5v.
Do I did a new battery or do I have more serious electrical problems?
Any info would be appreciated.
jaman

 

I'm no expert, but it sounds like you might need a new battery. On a 1999 car with only 33k miles on it, you can be sure it probably wasn't driven on a regular basis. So it was likely just sitting around most of the time while the battery lost it's charge. Still, the car is only 5 years old and theoretically the battery should last longer than that...

 

Thanks for the info. Most likely will get a new battery unless someone else has a different solution to my problem.

jaman

 

i would check my connections to the battery and starter, if they are cool, then swap in another battery out of somthing else before you buy one, get the code to reset your radio from the dealer first. and try that, if that don't work it may be the starter solinoid. is the amp meter showing discharge when the car runs? may be a bad alternator. shouldn't be the starter or the alternator with just 30,000 miles, probably a lose connection.

 

With a 10+vdc reading, it's likely that it will not hold a charge any longer, given its age. AAA's jump start only provides surface charge to start the car and nothing else. W/o running diagnostic on the battery, we're just speculating on condition anyhoo. Normally, one does a hydrometer reading, check voltage at rest as well as under load. Alternater is *not* designed to replenish the battery if discharged to the degree you've described. Trickle charge overnight is another possiblity but not until water level checked first, blah blah....

My keyboard assessment: get a new battery. Get the new warranty that comes with it. Get a little peace of mind and security in knowing that it is in good health and minimize the possibly of being inconvenienced again.

yes, checking altimeter output is on your list of to-dos as well

 

Went to AutoZoine and purchased a Duralast battery for $64.99 plus tax. The car started like a gem.

 

Just replaced the battery with identical one at Autozone....lasted over 7 years and 82k miles....price has gone up to $105.

 

Glad to see you've driven it a bit more. That keeps batteries (and oil companies) happy.