unclebenz

It's showing a picture of the battery and it says malfunction electrical consumers switched off.

what is this and why did it happened!

Benz-O-Rama

It happened to me the other day when I was changing my oil. I had left the interior lights on by accident and when I started the car it gave me that message. After letting the engine run for a bit, and letting the alternator do it's thing, I never saw it again.

I think it happens when the battery drops below 12 volts or something.

Diesel Benz

A figure says a 100 words (although I did not count as many ).

Not uncommon at you winter, specifically if you drive short trips or if your battery is a bit old.

unclebenz

Diesel benz- good find! thats exactly what happened, I turned on my heated seats and that message came on, it was a bit cold here in NY yesterday. thanks for the info.

Polar Bear

Here's what the message means interpreted:

unclebenz

thats a good one PB, but a new battery at only 41K miles??? thats not normal

konigstiger

Table of consumer shutoff stages 1 and 2 (we all know what 3 means).

Polar Bear

I wish that were the case!

I have been through three batteries since new with 39k miles. You will find many owners that have been through more batteries than "normal" in the W211. Due to the electronics on these cars they tend to go through batteries more than other cars. I wish this weren't the case as I'll admit it is a little inconvenient.

The warning you received was essentially the car protecting itself. If the car has low voltage on the battery when started, the BCM (Battery Control Module) will detect this and as konigstiger said, will shut off different modules (Convenience Functions) to preserve battery voltage, such as heated seats, etc. It will only leave necessary accessories running. This is mainly due to the electronic braking system on the SBC equipped cars.

Your battery is probably fine for now, but expect to replace it in the near future. When my battery was going bad, I would get that message if I left the audio system on for 10-15 minutes with the engine not running, or after running REST mode for a while. I would get back in the car and start it, and would receive that warning. After about three minutes with the car running, the BCM would enable the accessories once again. I finally got tired of getting the message once per week or so, and replaced the battery. It completely went away.

Also, just noticed your car is a 2003. I am very surprised you haven't been through a battery, assuming you are on your original one.

amdeutsch

sosh

Could be just the small underhood battery. By the way battery life is more calender sensitive than miles sensitive although both have an impact. In normal service batteries usually last (for me) 4 years or so and I usually am proactive and change at the 4 year mark.

unclebenz

Is the dealer the only place to get a battery for this vehicle?

Polar Bear

No, but the only one I would recommend would be an OEM battery with the correct vent tube.

Best thing would to call roadside assistance and request one. They will drive to your home and install it for free. My battery was less than $150.00, installed.

Dema

Usually batteries have 5 years warranty and can last over 10 years. If you need replace battery so frequently you may have some problem, some kind of electricity leak.

Polar Bear

Typically they do, and it may be specific to the CDI. I have read where other CDIs have went through numerous batteries.

I haven't checked the draw but I do know the car can sit for extended periods and has no problem starting.

Frasmat

LMAO!

Clinton Horn

FWIW
I have a 11/2002 builddate E320. We have been getting the red battery message off and on for a month now. Typical scenario, short trips, cold weather, seat heaters on etc. I replaced the small battery 3 weeks ago. It was date coded 47/2002 so it was about 6 years old. Got an AGM aftermarket replacement from Batteries Plus for $70. Ok for a week and then more red messages. Researched this board and found others had sourced batteries from M-B Roadside assistance $125? AutoZone $125 and AGM form Auto Zone $175?. Found a DEKA AGM from a local vendor for $172 exchange.
Purchased a Bosch group 49 850 B replacement from PepBoys for $101.00 (exchange). CCA is slightly better than OEM. Does not have AGM (neither does OEM?) but does have vent. If you buy this particular battery (PEP Boys) be sure and save the plug and elbow fitting off the OEM battery as the new one does not come so equipped.

sosh

Pep Boys??, Most likely you will be replacing again soon. Pep Boys has batteries made to their specs by major mfgers. Been my experience that they do not last as long as those from other sources. Why not just purchase the correct battery from a dealer or MB authorized parts house?? I was told this by Deka when I phoned them to complain about 4- 8D batteries for my boat that lasted only 2 years when I had always gotten 5 years from their batteries purchased from a non Pep Boys Deka dealer. Pep Boys sold me the 8D's at that time for 215 bucks each when most Deka Dealers were asking 300bucks. Learned my lesson on that one, plus they weigh over 100 lbs each lots of fun to have to reinstall after only 2 years.

Clinton Horn

36 months REPLACEMENT
96 months pro rated

Since the OEM gave it up in 75 months ( I am not complaining)
For the 100 bucks AND a better ampacity, I don't think I care to be a brand snob. Batteries are probably second only to mattresses in their ability to prohibit comparative shopping.
Given the load these cars put on the battery, I would have bought an Optima but they do not make a group 49 fittment.
Each to his own but in this case, I don't think OEM is a clear advantage.

Clinton Horn

Two weeks and no more red messages. Seat heaters wide open and average commute is 5 miles. Thanks Pep Boys

007_e350

I'm returning my lead acid battery I got from Advance Auto parts and gonna get the AGM from Reillys for $160 -- Vettdvr recommended I should not have lead acid in the trunk as it fumes a lot more ... and in the event the acid leaks, ur paint, metal could be damaged ... AGMs are more vibration resistant ..

Long Islander

I think the Deka group 49/H8 AGM battery (#9AGM49) is one of the best batteries around. I came across this when I thought my Jaguar S-type battery was going to give out last winter (it didn't, and I've since sold the car, so I didn't buy the Deka battery). It's available around here for $150. The specs are 900 CCA, 185 minutes of reserve capacity, which is important if you do a lot of short trips with the seat heaters, defroster, headlights, etc. turned on. The fact that it's AGM also means it's totally sealed, so you can't spill battery acid on anything.

M.leonard2

How'd U do that

Mackhack

Paint, Photoshop, etc...

sosh

Would be extremely unusual for a battery to last 10 years. As far as the 5 year warranty thats usually prorated so in the later years you will get a few dollars credit on a new one. More of a marketing gimmic than a warranty

Polar Bear

Actually no - that's a real message.

Having fun with STAR.