G Class (W460, W461, W463) Produced 1980-2018: 290 GD, 290 GDT, 300 GD, 350 GD, 500 GE, G250, G300, G300 DT, G320, G500, G550, G55 AMG, G63 AMG

2020 G63 starter battery critical

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Oct 31, 2020 | 11:54 AM
  #1  
The Butcher's Avatar
Thread Starter
Super Member
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 781
Likes: 266
G63, G65
2020 G63 starter battery critical

Has anyone else received this warning? Kind of odd since the truck only has 1,300 miles, and was only purchased two months ago, new. This week is the first it has gotten cold here, so maybe it was a weak battery from the factory. I threw a battery tender on it, so if it happens again I'll take it to the dealer for a new battery. Just curious if anyone else has expereinced this.
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2020 | 12:29 PM
  #2  
streborx's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 5,152
Likes: 1,766
From: Colorado
G550
Do you regularly operate the vehicle with the ECO start/stop function in the active mode (which shuts off and restarts the engine at every stop)?
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2020 | 12:30 PM
  #3  
The Butcher's Avatar
Thread Starter
Super Member
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 781
Likes: 266
G63, G65
Originally Posted by streborx
Do you regularly operate the vehicle with the ECO start/stop function in the active mode (which shuts off and restarts the engine at every stop)?
pretty much never. My wife puts it in Sport plus immediately upon start up.
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2020 | 12:46 PM
  #4  
streborx's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 5,152
Likes: 1,766
From: Colorado
G550
The AGM technology batteries put in these ECO start/stop equipped vehicles are supposed to be more reliable and have longer service lives than conventional wet cell batteries, but there are always exceptions. I had an Optimal AGM battery develop a shorted cell just before its 3 year warranty expired (received a free replacement). My G550 is always making noises when parked so it's alive even when asleep. Possibly something is draining the battery when it shouldn't be. Be sure to post a follow-up and let us know if this reoccurs.
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2020 | 01:43 PM
  #5  
Floobydust's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 133
From: Massachusetts
2018 GLE350, 2014 G550, 2000 SL500, 1980 TR8, 1995 E320 Cabriolet
I had an AGM battery go bad on my GLE very early on, MB replaced it under the warranty. A little surprising, but there is always an infant mortality rate. BTW, in my opinion, f**k ecco start/stop. Besides the annoyance, it will end up costing you (or the future owner) more than it ever saves in energy costs.
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2020 | 03:16 PM
  #6  
streborx's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 5,152
Likes: 1,766
From: Colorado
G550
Originally Posted by Floobydust
I had an AGM battery go bad on my GLE very early on, MB replaced it under the warranty. A little surprising, but there is always an infant mortality rate. BTW, in my opinion, f**k ecco start/stop. Besides the annoyance, it will end up costing you (or the future owner) more than it ever saves in energy costs.
I totally agree about the annoyance of the ECO start/stop. Elsewhere on this forum (https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ine+start+stop), there is a permanent disable technique described. I did this about 2 months ago on my G550, and there have been no consequences except for the very rewarding instrument display indication at startup advising that the "A" is disabled, and the "A" indication when the vehicle is braked to a full stop informing you that the engine is still running (which is normal when you're in Sport mode). (Hint: the G's battery is under the cargo floor board and the negative battery terminal is on the battery's right side.)
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2020 | 07:37 PM
  #7  
abhatti55's Avatar
Super Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 844
Likes: 71
'19 G63 Ed 1,'18 M5, '16 G63,'12 458 , '11 E63, Brabus SL55-K8, '10 S63, '94 E500 "Wolf", '91 560SEC
My '19 is doing the same thing. I get the message every other week or so. Dealer told me to drive the car more often (idiots) and it's my daily driver, when I took it in for the diff recall. At that time the message has appeared only twice.
Reply
Old Nov 1, 2020 | 06:44 AM
  #8  
The Butcher's Avatar
Thread Starter
Super Member
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 781
Likes: 266
G63, G65
I put it on a 5 amp charge with one of my battery tenders and it took nearly 7 hours to charge to "maintain". That would indicate to me that the battery was indeed very drained. If the message comes up again I'll go back to the dealer to have them swap out the battery. It's possible this one has a dead cell.
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Nov 1, 2020 | 01:07 PM
  #9  
streborx's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 5,152
Likes: 1,766
From: Colorado
G550
Originally Posted by The Butcher
I put it on a 5 amp charge with one of my battery tenders and it took nearly 7 hours to charge to "maintain". That would indicate to me that the battery was indeed very drained. If the message comes up again I'll go back to the dealer to have them swap out the battery. It's possible this one has a dead cell.
If you have a voltmeter (or have access to one), check the battery's terminal voltage when your charger gets to the maintain mode (remove the charger first). A good battery with no defective cells should measure at least 12.6 volts at full charge. A dead or leaky cell will prevent the voltage from getting above 12 volts. If you end up at the dealer, his battery analyzer should provide an indication of the battery's health. If the battery checks out normal, but continues to discharge inexplicably, have the dealer measure the idle current being drawn from the battery while the car is parked and off. A normal idle current is less than 100 milliamperes, but I've read that MBs can be somewhat higher. If several amperes are being drawn, there's a problem somewhere in the electrical system -- something is not being shut off. This is when you get to play fuse roulette -- pulling fuses one at a time until you find the offending accessory or system. Good luck and let us all know how it turns out.
Reply
Old Nov 2, 2020 | 06:59 AM
  #10  
The Butcher's Avatar
Thread Starter
Super Member
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 781
Likes: 266
G63, G65
Originally Posted by streborx
If you have a voltmeter (or have access to one), check the battery's terminal voltage when your charger gets to the maintain mode (remove the charger first). A good battery with no defective cells should measure at least 12.6 volts at full charge. A dead or leaky cell will prevent the voltage from getting above 12 volts. If you end up at the dealer, his battery analyzer should provide an indication of the battery's health. If the battery checks out normal, but continues to discharge inexplicably, have the dealer measure the idle current being drawn from the battery while the car is parked and off. A normal idle current is less than 100 milliamperes, but I've read that MBs can be somewhat higher. If several amperes are being drawn, there's a problem somewhere in the electrical system -- something is not being shut off. This is when you get to play fuse roulette -- pulling fuses one at a time until you find the offending accessory or system. Good luck and let us all know how it turns out.
Thanks. I've played fuse roulette with several vehicles over the years. Such a fun process... I'm hoping it was a fluke, but I'm guessing it's a bad battery.
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2020 | 01:39 PM
  #11  
ldramg's Avatar
Junior Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 40
Likes: 17
From: Arizona
‘26 S63, ’19 E63s wagon; prior: SL55; CLS55; G63, GT-R
My 2019 E63S wagon has the same problem. It's my daily, but commute is only 10 miles, mostly surface roads. After about a month of driving, typically get the Starter Battery critical. 24 hours on the tender and good to go again. Irritating for sure. And just like streborx my car is never really asleep. I wonder if they had a batch of bad batteries?
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2020 | 03:07 PM
  #12  
streborx's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 5,152
Likes: 1,766
From: Colorado
G550
Originally Posted by ldramg
My 2019 E63S wagon has the same problem. It's my daily, but commute is only 10 miles, mostly surface roads. After about a month of driving, typically get the Starter Battery critical. 24 hours on the tender and good to go again. Irritating for sure. And just like streborx my car is never really asleep. I wonder if they had a batch of bad batteries?
Do you use the ECO on/off "feature" during your daily commute, or do you disable it? If yes, how many stop/start cycles do you typically experience?
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2020 | 04:07 PM
  #13  
ldramg's Avatar
Junior Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 40
Likes: 17
From: Arizona
‘26 S63, ’19 E63s wagon; prior: SL55; CLS55; G63, GT-R
I always disable ECO, otherwise I'd be going through more than 10 cycles, and it barely moves the needle on MPG (at least the way I drive). I bought the stupid expensive Brabus module to keep it disabled (https://www.brabus.com/en/tuning/ove...77-660-00.html), but haven't gotten around to installing yet. It will also recharge with a long enough drive. Irritating.
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2020 | 04:13 PM
  #14  
abhatti55's Avatar
Super Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 844
Likes: 71
'19 G63 Ed 1,'18 M5, '16 G63,'12 458 , '11 E63, Brabus SL55-K8, '10 S63, '94 E500 "Wolf", '91 560SEC
Went to another dealership, battery tested weak and they replaced it.
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2020 | 08:26 PM
  #15  
Bob Z.'s Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 2,220
Likes: 470
From: Marineland FL
'27 EQG deposit, '22 F8 Spyder, '20 Fat Boy
My wife is the primary user of our 2020 G550 and she uses ECO and it sits for several days at a time - we have not had any battery messages, it starts fine each time, etc.
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2020 | 01:29 AM
  #16  
Bexlee's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 200
Likes: 58
From: West Yorkshire, UK.
G350d, Rover Mini , Abarth 500, G230, RS4
I’ve had this message three or four times now too.
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2020 | 01:38 AM
  #17  
dfulgo's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 86
Likes: 19
From: Italy
2020 - G63; RR.AB; ML350; ML320; ML400; M3; 200CE; 200E
...me too...: TBH my daily commute is very short (2÷3 miles) but each two days or three i drive longer, sometimes needed, sometimes not ;-) but I've got the message too. Now I'm due to book for the first service (10K), we'll see what they'll say.
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2020 | 01:41 AM
  #18  
Bexlee's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 200
Likes: 58
From: West Yorkshire, UK.
G350d, Rover Mini , Abarth 500, G230, RS4
Originally Posted by dfulgo
...me too...: TBH my daily commute is very short (2÷3 miles) but each two days or three i drive longer, sometimes needed, sometimes not ;-) but I've got the message too. Now I'm due to book for the first service (10K), we'll see what they'll say.
I do about that 2/3 miles each way to work and back and an odd drive in between- plus a good run on a Saturday and Sunday. I do just ignore it to be honest.
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2020 | 01:49 AM
  #19  
streborx's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 5,152
Likes: 1,766
From: Colorado
G550
Originally Posted by ldramg
I always disable ECO, otherwise I'd be going through more than 10 cycles, and it barely moves the needle on MPG (at least the way I drive). I bought the stupid expensive Brabus module to keep it disabled (https://www.brabus.com/en/tuning/ove...77-660-00.html), but haven't gotten around to installing yet. It will also recharge with a long enough drive. Irritating.
The Brabus site says "Price upon request" - I guess it changes daily with gold prices, or else it would state "If you have to ask how much $$, you can't afford it". I was thinking about buying an OBD dongle that does ECO on/off disable from Mid-city Engineering and asked them if the vehicle's "A" switch needs to function in order for its OBD dongle to work, but haven't yet heard back from them. This "A" disable switch has never worked on my G and the dealer won't give me an answer (I don't think he even knows what I'm asking about). So I yanked the battery sensor connector to permanently kill it. IMO, ECO on/off is dangerous and it does nothing mpg-wise unless you drive to work on a dynometer or sit in traffic on I-5 for 3 hours every day. I saw a Youtube video where some mechanic was ranting about how this engine start/stop feature kills batteries and starters for the sake of annoying most drivers - I agree.
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2020 | 01:55 AM
  #20  
streborx's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 5,152
Likes: 1,766
From: Colorado
G550
Originally Posted by Bexlee
I’ve had this message three or four times now too.
Maybe MB is just getting all of us trained for the G-Hybrid's low battery warning.
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2020 | 02:46 AM
  #21  
dfulgo's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 86
Likes: 19
From: Italy
2020 - G63; RR.AB; ML350; ML320; ML400; M3; 200CE; 200E
Originally Posted by dfulgo
...me too...: ... Now I'm due to book for the first service (10K), we'll see what they'll say.
Went in yesterday morning and, at first, the service manager told me that, being @ 80% in that moment after 50 Km, for him it was normal to get the alarm in case of short distances BUT, after several "Me" battery disconnected messages on my phone during the day, in the evening he said that they've been forced to change the "faulty" battery...
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2020 | 03:46 AM
  #22  
fabbrisd1's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 1,117
A gaggle of MB's
The Brabus OBD re-programmer for ECO Start/Stop is Brabus rebranded dongle from Vladimir - and you can find his listing on eBay - re-programs ECO Start/Stop to a more sensible "choice" in function
Reply
Old Nov 19, 2020 | 06:05 PM
  #23  
The Butcher's Avatar
Thread Starter
Super Member
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 781
Likes: 266
G63, G65
Originally Posted by dfulgo
Went in yesterday morning and, at first, the service manager told me that, being @ 80% in that moment after 50 Km, for him it was normal to get the alarm in case of short distances BUT, after several "Me" battery disconnected messages on my phone during the day, in the evening he said that they've been forced to change the "faulty" battery...
I've gotten the warning again after the truck sat for about a week not being driven. Had to charge overnight again. Kind of ridiculous. I'll take it back to the dealer when I get done tinkering with it.
Reply
Old Nov 19, 2020 | 06:13 PM
  #24  
Bob Z.'s Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 2,220
Likes: 470
From: Marineland FL
'27 EQG deposit, '22 F8 Spyder, '20 Fat Boy
Originally Posted by The Butcher
I've gotten the warning again after the truck sat for about a week not being driven. Had to charge overnight again. Kind of ridiculous. I'll take it back to the dealer when I get done tinkering with it.
My new G550 has sat for much longer and never had that problem...hope they get it solved, soon.
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2020 | 02:18 PM
  #25  
Festertester's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 928
Likes: 292
From: SF Cali Bay Area
‘13 911-4S, ‘21 CTR, '22 GT4, ‘19 G63
Yes this message appears every now and then on mine too. I’m thinking if you use me connect app, that could drain it even sooner.
Reply


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:10 PM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE