My First Official Malfuntion
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,439
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From: THE NAPA VALLEY, CA
Build date 2-04 E500
My First Official Malfuntion
So the ol'lady calls me from work to tell me that the mfd is showing a fault.... It says "Battery Protection"... "Convenient funtions temporarily unavailable".
She stated the car ran fine but the comand (all funtions), and other "creature comforts" were not working. ie, rear defroster, heated and ventilated seat features, Nav as well.... Just the basics were now working ie, lights, air conditioner, heater, power seats, windows, etc.... The car was in for a "C"service a month ago and all recalls and current "updates" were done. So she called the dealer and they promptly sent a mobile unit out to check the car at her place of employment and verified the malfuntion. He put in a new battery and said to bring the car in for the fix. The car seems fine now.... I'm figuring the alt is going south on me... What do you guys think????
B.T.W....My wifes co-workers now know one of the reasons why are cars cost so much.... They were very much impressed by the fact a MB mobile unit was out so fast to service her car right there in the parking lot. (no questions asked).
I really can't complain.... This is the first "real" issue that has gone wrong in over a 1 1/2 yeras and over 22,000 miles.
She stated the car ran fine but the comand (all funtions), and other "creature comforts" were not working. ie, rear defroster, heated and ventilated seat features, Nav as well.... Just the basics were now working ie, lights, air conditioner, heater, power seats, windows, etc.... The car was in for a "C"service a month ago and all recalls and current "updates" were done. So she called the dealer and they promptly sent a mobile unit out to check the car at her place of employment and verified the malfuntion. He put in a new battery and said to bring the car in for the fix. The car seems fine now.... I'm figuring the alt is going south on me... What do you guys think????
B.T.W....My wifes co-workers now know one of the reasons why are cars cost so much.... They were very much impressed by the fact a MB mobile unit was out so fast to service her car right there in the parking lot. (no questions asked).
I really can't complain.... This is the first "real" issue that has gone wrong in over a 1 1/2 yeras and over 22,000 miles.
Last edited by HELL ONA HARLEY; Sep 17, 2005 at 12:22 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: FL410
'05 E320 CDI, '08 BMW X5 4.8i, '11 Duramax 2500HD
Mine came on while they were working on my car at the dealer the other day... the idiots left the fan running for the HVAC while the engine was not running, to make matters worse the stereo/COMAND was also on.. so the batt drained down and the system worked as it should and went into degraded mode.
Are you sure there were no times in which the fan or other hi-draw (such as lights) were on while the car wasn't prior to this? If it happened while the engine is running, then it's either the batt, or the alt for sure.
No biggie, both easy to fix.
Are you sure there were no times in which the fan or other hi-draw (such as lights) were on while the car wasn't prior to this? If it happened while the engine is running, then it's either the batt, or the alt for sure.
No biggie, both easy to fix.
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From: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
My E320 is a 3/04 build and it got a new voltage regulator when I took it in for the recall/update programs. There is also a programming change related to the way the battery is charged.
I don't know what the criteria was for replacing the voltage regulator but it sounds like your dealer should have done it if you took the car in after the recall/program update package was sent to the dealers on 8/06.
BTW, there is NO notification on the voltage regulator. The only letter anyone is going to get is for the safety recall on the SBC bracket. Just make sure when you go to the dealer to have them install ALL recall and update program changes.
I don't know what the criteria was for replacing the voltage regulator but it sounds like your dealer should have done it if you took the car in after the recall/program update package was sent to the dealers on 8/06.
BTW, there is NO notification on the voltage regulator. The only letter anyone is going to get is for the safety recall on the SBC bracket. Just make sure when you go to the dealer to have them install ALL recall and update program changes.
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Joined: Mar 2003
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was '03 E320 - now - '04 S4
Mine was a late '02 build and never had that particular malfunction. I used the "Rest" feature all the time too...
Glad to hear your dealer was right on top of getting it fixed.
Did they bring coffee and wear suits? :p
Last edited by lig; Sep 17, 2005 at 01:00 PM.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Originally Posted by HELL ONA HARLEY
So the ol'lady calls me from work to tell me that the mfd is showing a fault.... It says "Battery Protection"... "Convenient funtions temporarily unavailable".
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w211/116411-august-05-recalls.html
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Super Member
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Ohio/Florida
2023 GLC 300 4MATIC
Lionhead, how do you decide which Benz to drive? Rock, paper, sissors? Computer software program? Flip a coin? The one with the most fuel in the tank? Gosh, make a decision.
Thread Starter
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From: THE NAPA VALLEY, CA
Build date 2-04 E500
Originally Posted by CE750
If it happened while the engine is running, then it's either the batt, or the alt for sure.
No biggie, both easy to fix.
No biggie, both easy to fix.
Yup.... Happened when engine running. I'm sure its a charging issue.
Originally Posted by lig
Glad to hear your dealer was right on top of getting it fixed.
Did they bring coffee and wear suits?
Did they bring coffee and wear suits?
L.O.L..... Get a life bro...
Originally Posted by konigstiger
Here you go
https://mbworld.org/forums/sh...ad.php?t=116411
https://mbworld.org/forums/sh...ad.php?t=116411
I actually remember this thread, but I'll be bringing this info with me to the service dept.
Originally Posted by LIONHEAD
H ona H: should be an easy fix per the service bulletinmentioned above.
B.T.W... Glad to see your still lurking here. Haven't heard for you in a while. Hope everything is good with you and your family.
Super Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 820
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From: Chicago Western Burbs
'06 SL65
Everythings good...thanks for asking. Been out of town in Phoenix/Scottsdale/Sedona area for alittle while looking for real estate investments. Glad to be back although it's getting chilly here in Chicago at night. 
With only this minor problem...I must say your E500 has been very reliable and problem free.
With only this minor problem...I must say your E500 has been very reliable and problem free.
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,968
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From: FL410
'05 E320 CDI, '08 BMW X5 4.8i, '11 Duramax 2500HD
Originally Posted by LIONHEAD
Everythings good...thanks for asking. Been out of town in Phoenix/Scottsdale/Sedona area for alittle while looking for real estate investments.
You missed a good discussion we had on that very topic a couple of weeks ago.. This is the very reason I live in Phoenix these days. Real Estate is as easy as throwing a dart at a dart board out here.
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 820
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From: Chicago Western Burbs
'06 SL65
Originally Posted by CE750
You missed a good discussion we had on that very topic a couple of weeks ago.. This is the very reason I live in Phoenix these days. Real Estate is as easy as throwing a dart at a dart board out here.
Last edited by LIONHEAD; Sep 19, 2005 at 12:52 AM.
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 820
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From: Chicago Western Burbs
'06 SL65
Originally Posted by HELL ONA HARLEY
Yea L.H.... Its been a great car and experience so far. Think I'll be staying with the brand for a while.
Think I'll be staying with the brand for a while.
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From: FL410
'05 E320 CDI, '08 BMW X5 4.8i, '11 Duramax 2500HD
Originally Posted by LIONHEAD
Dang..missed it...do you have the link...love to read up on it. I was mostly in Anthem (Del Webb Community) where my friend lives and has 2 houses there. It's getting harder to get in on new construction as builders now wants you to sign an "Owner Occupied" agreement for 1 year to keep out outside investors.
Anthem is a bit tough these days in that it's got a bit of a mini-bubble due to all of the homes for sale at once! I'm bullish on Commercial land now-a-days... Just south of Anthem, down the I-17.. Happy Valley Rd, and Dove Valley Rd, both hot commercial areas.. We've got 20 acres for sale there now @ $5/sf... paid $1.10. USAA just build a new World HQ down at Happy Valley and that drawing in tons of activity.
I also like buckeye, Surprise, and Tomb Stone. Scottsdale is getting close to capping so I avoid it these days.
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Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Canada
2004 E500 / 2001 C240
This same thing came up on my display. I had left the keys in the ignition (in my garage) and the lights stayed on. To sole it, I just drove it for a while (10 min) and the warning went away.
Maybe your wife left the lights or key in ignition. :v
Maybe your wife left the lights or key in ignition. :v
Thread Starter
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From: THE NAPA VALLEY, CA
Build date 2-04 E500
Originally Posted by ATS
Maybe your wife left the lights or key in ignition. :v
She says it came on during the drive to work.... The wrench put the new battery in for saftey and said to make an appointment.... Will up-date in this thread when we find out what happened.
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 755
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From: USA
LS7 powered Corvette
The BCM update is a 2minute reflash of the software.
The voltage regulator is inspected for the manufacturer, either bosch or valeo, and replaced if needed. One or both will cure the problem, the ones your car requires will depend on the VIN range.
The voltage regulator is inspected for the manufacturer, either bosch or valeo, and replaced if needed. One or both will cure the problem, the ones your car requires will depend on the VIN range.
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into things
Had the E320 CDI recently come up with the battery problem even AFTER the voltage software and regular was either updated or replaced.
Dealer found that the small battery up front to be bad. Yes there are two batteries on the CDI, a small one up front under that a/c filter cover and one in the trunk.
Dealer found that the small battery up front to be bad. Yes there are two batteries on the CDI, a small one up front under that a/c filter cover and one in the trunk.
Super Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 755
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From: USA
LS7 powered Corvette
trunk battery is the main systems battery, underhood battery is the auxilliary battery. If the systems battery was drained, the BCM would activate a relay and switch to the aux battery. Extended use of the aux will kill it as well.
