Battery warning light in cold weather
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2
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From: Rogaland, Norway
2005 E200 Diesel
Battery warning light in cold weather
Good morning Gents.
Have anyone of you experienced getting a red warning light in your display when starting your W211 in cold weather?
I received one today, the car had been standing still durring the weekend and it has been snow and upto -12c where I live.
Both the battery and alternator was new in May / June 2015, all the eletrical and convenience features are working fine and the car started without any problems.
Any help / tips are very appriciated.
Regards
NorwegianViking
Have anyone of you experienced getting a red warning light in your display when starting your W211 in cold weather?
I received one today, the car had been standing still durring the weekend and it has been snow and upto -12c where I live.
Both the battery and alternator was new in May / June 2015, all the eletrical and convenience features are working fine and the car started without any problems.
Any help / tips are very appriciated.
Regards
NorwegianViking
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,225
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From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
Hope you know you can display car voltage on the cluster and observe it with engine running?
On cold start after some sitting, the alternator might take a while to bring the voltage to proper level, so it could be normal, but this is good time to check alternator brushes. How many kilometers on them?
Also your car might have electric cabin heater, what puts big load on electrical system.
On cold start after some sitting, the alternator might take a while to bring the voltage to proper level, so it could be normal, but this is good time to check alternator brushes. How many kilometers on them?
Also your car might have electric cabin heater, what puts big load on electrical system.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2
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From: Rogaland, Norway
2005 E200 Diesel
Problem fixed
Hi Kat and thanks for your reply.
After a 20minute drive to work and restarting the car the error message disapeared, it also didn't comeback this morning. It seems the cold weather has reduced the voltage at start up and just needed some charging
After a 20minute drive to work and restarting the car the error message disapeared, it also didn't comeback this morning. It seems the cold weather has reduced the voltage at start up and just needed some charging
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,225
Likes: 1,798
From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
Good you had it clear, but don't jump in joy so fast.
Cold weather should not affect alternator output, while wear out brushes can act for long time before they finally die.
Better have them check.
Cold weather should not affect alternator output, while wear out brushes can act for long time before they finally die.
Better have them check.
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Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Nova Scotia, Canada
2023 GLK250, 1987 560SL
Keep an eye on it; it could be your auxiliary battery on its way out. It will likely act up either on really cold days or really hot days. If it's old it will stop holding a charge if it sits for a day or two. You might get an additional error that says the convenience accessories are disabled, but the car will still start fine.
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 271
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From: NYC and LI
2004 Mercedes E500, 2008 Mercedes ML350
The warning light was telling you that the battery was low when you started the car. Using your alternator to charge the battery when it is that low isn't terribly effective. The battery should normally be operating substantially above the level at which that light would come on. Since it is a relatively new battery, if I were you, I would take a battery charger and charge the freaking thing until it was full. You will likely be surprised how long it takes to charge at a moderate setting, because your battery is likely quite low. Having the battery running closer to full is going to extend your battery life anyway, so it's a worthwhile endeavor.
It is probably is not the auxiliary battery, because that battery only charges for 10 minutes every time you start the car. So if you run all the way to work and all the way back and the car doesn't give you the battery light, it's probably not the aux. If you ever need a new auxiliary battery, this is an excellent one to get. The yeast ytx14bs at Amazon will give you high quality at a good price: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000WJX4BQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1453425146&sr=8-1&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=ytx14bs&dpPl=1&dpID=51r3J G5reFL&ref=plSrch
It is probably is not the auxiliary battery, because that battery only charges for 10 minutes every time you start the car. So if you run all the way to work and all the way back and the car doesn't give you the battery light, it's probably not the aux. If you ever need a new auxiliary battery, this is an excellent one to get. The yeast ytx14bs at Amazon will give you high quality at a good price: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000WJX4BQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1453425146&sr=8-1&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=ytx14bs&dpPl=1&dpID=51r3J G5reFL&ref=plSrch
Last edited by wjcandee; Jan 26, 2016 at 01:18 PM.
