My fourth 12 V battery problem in three years
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 558
Likes: 152
From: New York City
2021 e All Terrain, 2001 e55
My fourth 12 V battery problem in three years
Unbelievable, but it happened again. Fortunately it happened in my driveway. I went out to start the car and received the dreaded 12 V battery error. This is the fourth time in three years. The Roadside person told me that probably my car needed to be jumped Because I hadn’t driven it but I told him I had driven it three hours the day before on a trip to Albany, New York They are coming on Wednesday to take it to the dealer on a flatbed My service advisor thinks it might be an alternator. I love my car, but it’s so frustrating If anybody has any suggestions, I’m all yours. I thought this problem was fixed clearly it’s not. I’ve noticed in some of the 214 forums that they still have the same problem. I started a poll, how many people have had problems with their 12 V battery
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 17
Likes: 10
From: Palm Coast, Florida/NYC
2019 E450 4Matic
Unbelievable, but it happened again. Fortunately it happened in my driveway. I went out to start the car and received the dreaded 12 V battery error. This is the fourth time in three years. The Roadside person told me that probably my car needed to be jumped Because I hadn’t driven it but I told him I had driven it three hours the day before on a trip to Albany, New York They are coming on Wednesday to take it to the dealer on a flatbed My service advisor thinks it might be an alternator. I love my car, but it’s so frustrating If anybody has any suggestions, I’m all yours. I thought this problem was fixed clearly it’s not. I’ve noticed in some of the 214 forums that they still have the same problem. I started a poll, how many people have had problems with their 12 V battery
I tested the battery and alternator and they are working fine, so I hope the replacement regulator solves the problem.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
Sorry to hear, Phil, at least you were at home and not driving when it happened. I bought a CPO 2023 wagon 3 weeks ago and the 48v failed while driving, shutting down all systems. Scared the hell out of me. It's been at the dealer for 2 weeks and finally today they called and said they had updated software and it could be released. I brought a copy of the LI from the NHTSA website and raised a stink with the service advisor about the fact that they had not checked every bolt, connector and wire in the physical layer as the LI instructs them to do. After a bunch of back and forth, a service manager came out and apologized to me and said I was correct, they had not followed procedure and it's unfortunate when the customer has to tell them how to do their jobs. So it's remaining at the dealer.
You were one of the success stories I've read about here as I researched the issue, because it really was scary and cannot happen again - so it's a real bummer you have another issue this far out.
You were one of the success stories I've read about here as I researched the issue, because it really was scary and cannot happen again - so it's a real bummer you have another issue this far out.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 310
Likes: 57
e300
A guy use to leave his car keys in the kitchen right outside the garage where two of his cars were parked. He found that the Keyless Go was constantly ON because the key was in the vicinity and being activated. This is the feature where you can open the door handle if the key is in your pocket. His battery was being drained just like yours and solved the problem by moving his key farther away from the car. A
Where do you keep your car keys? Are they anywhere near the vehicle?
Where do you keep your car keys? Are they anywhere near the vehicle?
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 17
Likes: 10
From: Palm Coast, Florida/NYC
2019 E450 4Matic
A guy use to leave his car keys in the kitchen right outside the garage where two of his cars were parked. He found that the Keyless Go was constantly ON because the key was in the vicinity and being activated. This is the feature where you can open the door handle if the key is in your pocket. His battery was being drained just like yours and solved the problem by moving his key farther away from the car. A
Where do you keep your car keys? Are they anywhere near the vehicle?
Where do you keep your car keys? Are they anywhere near the vehicle?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 558
Likes: 152
From: New York City
2021 e All Terrain, 2001 e55
A guy use to leave his car keys in the kitchen right outside the garage where two of his cars were parked. He found that the Keyless Go was constantly ON because the key was in the vicinity and being activated. This is the feature where you can open the door handle if the key is in your pocket. His battery was being drained just like yours and solved the problem by moving his key farther away from the car. A
Where do you keep your car keys? Are they anywhere near the vehicle?
Where do you keep your car keys? Are they anywhere near the vehicle?
WOW. I wonder if that is the reason? thank you for that I will keep that in mind in the future. My key was less than 12 feet away. THANK YOU! Mobster.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2012
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From: Boston Area
2021 Mojave Silver E450, 2024 Black on Black Jaguar F-pace P400, 2011 335d (RIP), 2010 E350 (sold)
You can turn off this feature in the key itself. Just double click the lock button on your fob and it won't use the proximity detection feature. You will have to use the fob to unlock your doors instead of just putting your hand in the door handle though.
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Member
Joined: Dec 2023
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2017 M-B E400 4Matic Wagon AMG-Line
I just ordered the OE voltage regulator a few hours ago. I don't drive my car much, but on Saturday I drove it for 60 miles, and still got the 12v error message the next day.
I tested the battery and alternator and they are working fine, so I hope the replacement regulator solves the problem.
I tested the battery and alternator and they are working fine, so I hope the replacement regulator solves the problem.
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Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 17
Likes: 10
From: Palm Coast, Florida/NYC
2019 E450 4Matic
Interested in hearing the outcome of installing a new voltage regulator. Both my battery and alternator test fine but I have a hard time keeping the battery charged. I keep a tender on it all the time but only drive it once every 7-10 days. I drove it for about 15 minutes the other day and then sat in the car for about 45 minutes while my wife shopped. The car barely started and I got several messages that systems were not available.
The stamp on the battery's negative terminal indicates it is over six years old.
Member
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 170
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2017 M-B E400 4Matic Wagon AMG-Line
My indy mechanic load tested it and said it was good but wondering if it's worth throwing a new one in there.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 558
Likes: 152
From: New York City
2021 e All Terrain, 2001 e55
I picked up my car today. They said it is a software issue. Somehow I do not believe it.
Ddiliber and Mobster I think have the solution. Turn off the key fob.
I will cross my fingers.
Ddiliber and Mobster I think have the solution. Turn off the key fob.
I will cross my fingers.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 310
Likes: 57
e300
You could do that yep, pull the battery out.
Also, double clicking and holding the Lock button on the Fob turns the car into Vacation mode. This disables electrical systems so your battery doesnt drain while you are away. You could essentially lock car every night like that if you choose.
Also, double clicking and holding the Lock button on the Fob turns the car into Vacation mode. This disables electrical systems so your battery doesnt drain while you are away. You could essentially lock car every night like that if you choose.
Member
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 170
Likes: 49
2017 M-B E400 4Matic Wagon AMG-Line
What element of software? Did they mention resetting the Battery Management System? I'm trying to find definitive information on whether or not a BMS reset is required after a battery change. The internet (including this forum) has "experts" claiming it must be reset and other "experts" claiming there is no need to reset.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 558
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From: New York City
2021 e All Terrain, 2001 e55
Today I watched a video of some fellow who changed to 12 V battery himself. He pulled the battery out from under the dashboard and put in a new one and the car was fixed. I don't know if there's something I missing and I'm not sure his car was a 213, but I'm going to ask around. It didn't look like it was particularly difficult to do. And once I figure out how to do it, maybe I'll make a video. MNIAW: they told me it was all explained in the paperwork but when I read the paperwork I didn't understand the jargon. My service advisor is on vacation until after New Year's Day so afterwords, I'll write to him and ask him to give me a written explanation. I will summarize his reply here.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 17
Likes: 10
From: Palm Coast, Florida/NYC
2019 E450 4Matic
I replaced my voltage regulator using the attached video. The OEM part was $46 cheaper from RockAuto.
Part #: 205905341480
Part #: 205905341480
Last edited by RMac2024; Dec 22, 2024 at 02:44 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 52
Likes: 7
From: Northern CA
2020 E450 4MATIC
My battery reads over 14 volts all the time (except when it was unused for a couple of weeks), so the battery is the most likely culprit.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 17
Likes: 10
From: Palm Coast, Florida/NYC
2019 E450 4Matic
