Car wouldn't start
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 21
From: San Diego
2004 E320
Car wouldn't start
I was going to use my car today, but the power door locks wouldn't work...in fact everything electrical wouldn't work....couldn't turn the key to even start the car. So I called up MB roadside assistance and they sent a tech within 30 mins. He jump started my car with another battery and it fired up with one crank. Checked the charging system and it read 13.9V. Then he performed a midtronics test on the battery and it failed so he replaced my battery with a new one. He then performed some other test and found that there is a draw on the car, which is causing my battery to die prematurely. He said that there might be some module that has gone bad, which is drawing current even when the car has shutdown. Has anyone had this problem and if so...what was the cause and fix? I'm really disappointed that this happened, but with so many electrical gadgets on this car, I'm not surprised. 
Last edited by W211 Ryda; Mar 19, 2005 at 03:31 PM.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 53
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From: Poughquag, NY
2003 E500 Sport
I can't comment on the problem, but the roadside assitance sounds like it was top notch. Having never used it, I had no idea how thorough it is. I can't believe that a raodside assistance tech had a battery to swap yours out for. Makes me feel slightly better about dropping $65k on a car.
Sorry I couldn't help with your issue, good luck.
Sorry I couldn't help with your issue, good luck.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,394
Likes: 6
From: San Diego
2015 S212
I can't talk to the battery failure either, but I am also kinda stoked about the "roadside" response. The closest I ever had to that was a red warning sign shaped like a battery saying to take the car to service. It stayed as a malfunction for a day or so, but went away before I could get it into the shop.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
From: England
2012 CLS
happened to me last month. Exactly the same symptoms.
There are 4 eletrical modules - one under each seat - and one was faulty and draining the battery. The car was towed to a dealer and the part replced - but took 4 days to arrive.
The battery getting weaker was hinted at when I kept getting a dash messages saying "consumer electics switched off"
One day the car wouldn't start and couldn't even be jump started.
Marc
There are 4 eletrical modules - one under each seat - and one was faulty and draining the battery. The car was towed to a dealer and the part replced - but took 4 days to arrive.
The battery getting weaker was hinted at when I kept getting a dash messages saying "consumer electics switched off"
One day the car wouldn't start and couldn't even be jump started.
Marc
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, Texas USA
I had a similiar problem with mine when I first got it. See link below..
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w211/64614-newbie-04-e320-rants.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w211/64614-newbie-04-e320-rants.html
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 42
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Unfortunatly battery draws are not that uncommon in 211's. The causes for the draw can be very hard to find sometimes. There are some common modules and version coding that can cause draws,but you can't assume that one of these is causing your draw. About the MB roadside assistance program-It is in fact the BEST roadside program out of any mfg sponsored assistance programs.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
From: England
2012 CLS
About the MB roadside assistance program-It is in fact the BEST roadside program out of any mfg sponsored assistance programs.
WOW!
Marc
