Starter battery has "excessive resistance" (default code?) -- new battery?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 360
Likes: 67
From: Northern NJ, USA
2018 E300 4Matic Sport
Starter battery has "excessive resistance" (default code?) -- new battery?
Took my 2018 E300 4Matic Sport in for service -- and got the fancy video showing me what's wrong and all, LOL. Anyway, the technician said the starter battery has an "excessive resistance" default code -- but the video never showed the screen and the actual message, default code, etc. From what he says, I am running on the original battery. Might be true. I bought the car with 38,000 miles and don't know. Nothing in the records about a new battery.
Anyway, of course the dealer has a recommended solution -- a new starter battery -- parts and labor just under $600. So, my question is -- if I do need a new battery -- do I get the standard recommended battery from the dealer, or is there a better option and/or another brand battery? Thanks in advance.
Anyway, of course the dealer has a recommended solution -- a new starter battery -- parts and labor just under $600. So, my question is -- if I do need a new battery -- do I get the standard recommended battery from the dealer, or is there a better option and/or another brand battery? Thanks in advance.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 360
Likes: 67
From: Northern NJ, USA
2018 E300 4Matic Sport
Being that the car has two batteries -- am I asking for trouble if I don't get the recommended MB starter battery? If that's the best thing -- no problem. I have no problem spending the money, but I don't have to pay the dealer $600. I have a friend with an account at another dealer and he can get me about 15% off -- and then I am taking it right to the indy shop! LOL. So is the MB starter battery the right move? Thanks!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 1,104
.
The car has just one battery. It also has a large capacitor that is often confused as a battery. There are several after market batteries that fit your car. The code is B1F4500.
Last edited by ua549; Mar 14, 2024 at 07:29 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 5,153
Likes: 1,767
From: Colorado
G550
My MB OE battery crapped out at 42 months / 18K miles. Replaced it myself with a Duralast Platinum (Autozone - made in Germany) for about $240. There should be a date code on your battery. If it's 6 years old, replacement is not a bad idea.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 765
Likes: 289
From: Los Angeles
2024 GLE63s, 2021 E63s, 2018 GLC43
It's a standard H6 or H8 AGM battery. There's only two companies making them, sold to various retail auto parts stores and Costco with their own branded stickers.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 360
Likes: 67
From: Northern NJ, USA
2018 E300 4Matic Sport
Ironically, it was the MB Service Advisor who told the "The Tale of Two Batteries" -- LMAO -- in addition to a friend of mine. Thanks for the real insight!!!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 5,153
Likes: 1,767
From: Colorado
G550
I've never received an "excessive resistance" fault code for the starter battery using an OBD scanner. AFAIK, the only way to get an accurate assessment of a battery's health is with a battery analyzer connected at the battery terminals (not at the charging terminals under the hood). Battery analyzers used by dealers and repair shops likely are capable of printing out a detailed report on the battery's condition. I'd ask for a copy of the print-out, not just some fault code before dropping $600.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 360
Likes: 67
From: Northern NJ, USA
2018 E300 4Matic Sport
I've never received an "excessive resistance" fault code for the starter battery using an OBD scanner. AFAIK, the only way to get an accurate assessment of a battery's health is with a battery analyzer connected at the battery terminals (not at the charging terminals under the hood). Battery analyzers used by dealers and repair shops likely are capable of printing out a detailed report on the battery's condition. I'd ask for a copy of the print-out, not just some fault code before dropping $600.
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: Oct 2019
Posts: 5,153
Likes: 1,767
From: Colorado
G550
Thanks! I called the dealer, and asked for a print-out of either the fault code or the battery reading(s). He said, it all appears on their screen and there is no print-out. Of course!!! I tried to freeze the video they sent me and see what the screen says, but it's too hard to read. I was away for the weekend, so I didn't check the battery, but I think it's the original, so it has to be 6 years old. I passed on the $600 replacement. I can get the battery at wholesale cost from another dealer (my friend has an account there) and I can have the indy shop put it in. Substantial savings. Thanks again!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,583
Likes: 292
2019 E300
Thanks! I called the dealer, and asked for a print-out of either the fault code or the battery reading(s). He said, it all appears on their screen and there is no print-out. Of course!!! I tried to freeze the video they sent me and see what the screen says, but it's too hard to read. I was away for the weekend, so I didn't check the battery, but I think it's the original, so it has to be 6 years old. I passed on the $600 replacement. I can get the battery at wholesale cost from another dealer (my friend has an account there) and I can have the indy shop put it in. Substantial savings. Thanks again!
