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So the ECO light/button no longer works. Not that I mind as it has always been a habit to switch it off right away anyway. But wondering: why is this ECO function no longer working? Moreover, what else may not be functioning that I am not aware of? FWIW, everything else on the car (2014 E350) works fine, like the brake hold function which I do like, and haven't noticed a single thing awry. And no message lights of any kind. Thoughts???
Edward:
Last edited by Edward993; Feb 27, 2023 at 09:27 PM.
And usually it doesn't work because the aux battery is bad. Probably can't take a charge so it doesn't kick in unless the aux battery is good. Those get replaced all the time.
The eco on my '16 didn't work because my main battery was low/dying. It was like that for a year before the batt actually caused other problems and I replaced it, then eco started working >: |
I'm still on my oem Aux batt which was made in 2015. Not sure why the aux batt would matter but who knows with these cars.
Fyi there were no codes on mine when the eco wasn't working. All I can assume is the car estimates batt condition and if not good then it won't risk eco? I don't think it gauges voltage, but probably crank speed or similar to determine odds of actually starting. Well, on my car a voltage check won't tell you, but maybe jump it to boost crank speed and see if it magically starts working again. Or if due, just get a batt before it leaves you stranded :o
Oh yeah, could be both batteries. Could put both on a charger and see if it kicks in again. To save gas, those batteries don't always get fully charged when driving it.
Main battery was the culprit in mine. If it's ~ 5 years old or older do yourself a favor and replace it. You're going to get other error messages eventually.
Our 350 is a 2014 on its third aux batt, but original main battery (we bought it as a CPO in 2016 so I know it's original). So I think the answer is clear. I recall the other times the Aux batt died that both the ECO and brake Hold didn't work, so that's why I posted here since my Hold still does work. So I think you're right about my main batt losing its capacity (@2chevota, interesting tidbit about your main batt working for a year, thanks for that!). My orig MB unit certainly has aged well, ya gotta give em that! I'll put it on a charge just to see what it does, but the obvious answer is it's time to get a new AGM batt. Big thanks, gents!!
Edward
Last edited by Edward993; Mar 1, 2023 at 01:05 PM.
When I have a scanner who can troubleshoot ECO, last time I check it was few years ago, but still remember about 8 parameters that need to be met for ECO to engage.
Not all apply to all cars, but how sensitive the system is, shows my experience with GLE.
Bought the higher mileage car and ECO did not work on it, even I had button on dash. Check with GLE section, but could not get clear answers, so I assumed that my GLE version is not having ECO stops.
Drove well over the year just fine, till 6yo battery start showing low voltage.
Put new battery in it and had ECO engine stop on the 1st red lights I had on my way.
Meaning the battery was good for engine start for last year of its service, however ECO did not classify it as good enough for engine stops.
In case someone would ask why I can't check stuff on my GLE now- here is the picture of it on front of my cabin taken 2 weeks ago.
Right in front, next to the Maverick.
In case someone would ask why I can't check stuff on my GLE now- here is the picture of it on front of my cabin taken 2 weeks ago.
Right in front, next to the Maverick.
GLE? No way! I think you're hiding a 911 in there ...LOL, and wow!
I noticed my start/stop was not engaging very often a couple of years ago. System worked, just wasn't activating very often anymore. I replaced the main battery (as the aux was already a new one from the week before). Still wasn't engaging very often. Mentioned it to my indi shop on the next service. Simple fix, they had to reset the car’s computer to recognize a new battery was present. Once they did that, I was back to being gleefully annoyed by the constant start/stops at every friggin stop light, and all was right with the world, dangit!
Weird: the ECO just yesterday is mysteriously working again. I think my wife's last week of short and repeated in-town stops in the cold was likely taxing the already marginal 9yo factory battery. As after two longer drives, now the ECO is working. Seems clear that it's time to go get an AGM.
Weird: the ECO just yesterday is mysteriously working again. I think my wife's last week of short and repeated in-town stops in the cold was likely taxing the already marginal 9yo factory battery. As after two longer drives, now the ECO is working. Seems clear that it's time to go get an AGM.
Edward
Yes, a long drive seems to charge the main battery enough that ECO Stop/Start will resume regular operation. In my experience, it takes a good hour of Interstate driving at constant highway speed to do this.
My ECO stops starts working once engine reaches 60C.
It is now, in colder days as in the summer ECO did not work most of the time, what I believe was due to running AC
I also noticed that when I park the car for few days, ECO will take long time to start.
I added a cable with plug in front grille, so I am hooking up battery maintainer when I don't move the car for more than 3 days. This way ECO always work with proper engine temperature.
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