2011 e550 4-matic "excessive current draw" on startup?
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,799
Likes: 3,228
2014 E63S; AMS 100 octane ECU dyno tune; EDOK TCU tune; BB intakes; sprintbooster
2011 e550 4-matic "excessive current draw" on startup?
hi, I am posting for a friend, his car was purchased brand-new and meticulously maintained and has about 30,000 miles on it, still the original battery, and during some start ups it seems like the car was struggling a bit to start but it never once failed to start. He took it to a Mercedes dealer who tested the battery and determined the battery was totally normal however when the car was starting up it was drawing an excessive amount of current. Current draw once started seemed normal. No cel's and no codes. The Mercedes mechanic would not comment further without a diagnostic fee.
The car otherwise drives and functions perfectly, and most of his start ups see perfectly normal without any significant after abnormality heard or detected
thoughts? Thanks in advance
The car otherwise drives and functions perfectly, and most of his start ups see perfectly normal without any significant after abnormality heard or detected
thoughts? Thanks in advance
Last edited by PeterUbers; Aug 28, 2016 at 02:49 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,107
Likes: 394
From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
Excessive draw upon startup but not while running? I guess that could be a sign of early starter failure if it is needing too many amps as it ages. Maybe no point in addressing that until something stops working.
But first I would suspect the battery given it's age at 5+ years and that it is easier and cheaper to replace. Seems to be holding up but could start to go especially with the summer heat. Unless they pulled the battery out to load test it disconnected from the car, the jury is still out. My old battery passed many tests even though it was my problem. These AGM batteries hold a decent surface charge and pass those tests, but they seem to lose the amps they can keep in reserve so a load test usually tells the truth.
But first I would suspect the battery given it's age at 5+ years and that it is easier and cheaper to replace. Seems to be holding up but could start to go especially with the summer heat. Unless they pulled the battery out to load test it disconnected from the car, the jury is still out. My old battery passed many tests even though it was my problem. These AGM batteries hold a decent surface charge and pass those tests, but they seem to lose the amps they can keep in reserve so a load test usually tells the truth.
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,799
Likes: 3,228
2014 E63S; AMS 100 octane ECU dyno tune; EDOK TCU tune; BB intakes; sprintbooster
Excessive draw upon startup but not while running? I guess that could be a sign of early starter failure if it is needing too many amps as it ages. Maybe no point in addressing that until something stops working.
But first I would suspect the battery given it's age at 5+ years and that it is easier and cheaper to replace. Seems to be holding up but could start to go especially with the summer heat. Unless they pulled the battery out to load test it disconnected from the car, the jury is still out. My old battery passed many tests even though it was my problem. These AGM batteries hold a decent surface charge and pass those tests, but they seem to lose the amps they can keep in reserve so a load test usually tells the truth.
But first I would suspect the battery given it's age at 5+ years and that it is easier and cheaper to replace. Seems to be holding up but could start to go especially with the summer heat. Unless they pulled the battery out to load test it disconnected from the car, the jury is still out. My old battery passed many tests even though it was my problem. These AGM batteries hold a decent surface charge and pass those tests, but they seem to lose the amps they can keep in reserve so a load test usually tells the truth.
do you think it's worth just changing the battery first?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,107
Likes: 394
From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
Some folks just change the battery at a certain age or at the first sign of trouble just to avoid the hassle . You could say your friend got their money out of that battery already.
If you'd take it to an auto parts store anyway for a replacement, I would remove it first and take it in another car (so you're not stranded) and have them load test it. I'm the kind to try and test things out. Otherwise, the new battery could be starting out with a disadvantage. Even then, a new battery could come with a 3 or 4 year warranty so you'd have some insurance.
If you'd take it to an auto parts store anyway for a replacement, I would remove it first and take it in another car (so you're not stranded) and have them load test it. I'm the kind to try and test things out. Otherwise, the new battery could be starting out with a disadvantage. Even then, a new battery could come with a 3 or 4 year warranty so you'd have some insurance.
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,799
Likes: 3,228
2014 E63S; AMS 100 octane ECU dyno tune; EDOK TCU tune; BB intakes; sprintbooster
Banned
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 4,957
Likes: 1,640
The 550 really turns slow when the battery is failing. Especially if driven on short runs with no real chance to charge up. I know nothing about that excessive current draw diagnosis, but i would bet it is just a weak battery. Why not start with a new one and then go from there? It appears based on time alone that the battery is nearing replacement anyway.
Trending Topics
Junior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 45
Likes: 2
From: Novato,Ca
2011 Mercedes Benz E550
My car was just the same, it had a 450 mil drain from starter cranked slow, I already had a new battery 1 year old, listen to me I am in this business your car needs a starter, you can put a battery in if you want, unless something is different about you car it will be a starter. Take to dealer he will test it and he quoted me 1100 to replace starter and cable, don't replace the cable it is not necessary. It is a 1 hour job and it cost me 450.00 at a friends shop. Car is perfect after repair!
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 210
From: Sacramento , CA
2010 e550 p2
i would check starter 1st
here is an older thread , where i hope ull find some useful info , been there done that.
good luck
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...2010-e550.html
here is an older thread , where i hope ull find some useful info , been there done that.
good luck
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...2010-e550.html
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,046
Likes: 1
From: Chicago, IL
2011 E550 4Matic, 2002 M3 Vert
Well, it's been just over 3 months and I finally replaced the battery today. Early indication is start up is better but still not quite where I would expect it to be. However, I could also just be super sensitive to the issue and there is nothing wrong at this point. Car starts in about 1 full second of time before complete turnover. Overhead light flickers a bit, but not sure if that happens to others?
Fingers crossed the starter is ok but like someone else said, no sense in dealing w/ that until absolutely necessary. The car needed a new battery regardless which may not be the case w/ the starter. Car has a whopping 25k miles on it.
Thanks to everyone who contributed.
Fingers crossed the starter is ok but like someone else said, no sense in dealing w/ that until absolutely necessary. The car needed a new battery regardless which may not be the case w/ the starter. Car has a whopping 25k miles on it.
Thanks to everyone who contributed.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 326
Likes: 3
2011 E550
Well, it's been just over 3 months and I finally replaced the battery today. Early indication is start up is better but still not quite where I would expect it to be. However, I could also just be super sensitive to the issue and there is nothing wrong at this point. Car starts in about 1 full second of time before complete turnover. Overhead light flickers a bit, but not sure if that happens to others?
Fingers crossed the starter is ok but like someone else said, no sense in dealing w/ that until absolutely necessary. The car needed a new battery regardless which may not be the case w/ the starter. Car has a whopping 25k miles on it.
Thanks to everyone who contributed.
Fingers crossed the starter is ok but like someone else said, no sense in dealing w/ that until absolutely necessary. The car needed a new battery regardless which may not be the case w/ the starter. Car has a whopping 25k miles on it.
Thanks to everyone who contributed.
Totally fixed the problem!
