2010 GL450 Battery Issues-
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: California
2010 GL450, 2011 E350 Coupe
2010 GL450 Battery Issues-
So I've had my 2010 GL450 for about 3 months now... and have loved every second of that 3 months. Just Yesterday, A family member was hospitalized. I got a call and ATTEMPTED to rush over to the hospital. Hop in my GL and hit the Engine Start button and...nothing. Everything on the car was really dim, and it wouldn't turn over. I took the button out, and put the key in and still nothing. This was the 3rd time in a month that this has happened. I hadn't thought anything of it (We just charge it at home) until this became a reoccuring problem. The worst thing was that I had JUST gotten my new car the day before (2 days ago today), and had to take it. New Bentley + Hospital Parking Lot = 
It was all perfect and detailed. Anyway... My husband charged the battery last night, and it's been charged so far today... Let's see what tomorrow holds for us. I don't know if this has been a problem with anyone else's GL, certainly not this early in ownership? Help!?
It was all perfect and detailed. Anyway... My husband charged the battery last night, and it's been charged so far today... Let's see what tomorrow holds for us. I don't know if this has been a problem with anyone else's GL, certainly not this early in ownership? Help!?
Last edited by Kate0506; Mar 30, 2010 at 07:35 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 814
Likes: 9
15 GL550
You need to take it to the dealership and get the problem diagnosed. It could be a simple fix. My battery drained on my 09 overnight and it required a 15 min diagnostic and repair event at the dealership while I waited. 10,000 miles later and no problems. If you aren't driving it for more than a week at a time, you need to purchase a trickle charger.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 711
Likes: 11
From: NW corner of CONUS
2008 GL 320 CDI, 2004 VW V10 Touareg TDI
Certainly there have been battery drain issues on Gls of various years. The electrical system is EXTREMELY complex and is 'computer' controlled. If a computer is slightly mis-programmed or a logic sequence is out of whack - bingo - a battery drain occurs. Search this forum and you will see many examples of 'SAM' caused battery drains, etc. This is NOT something that should happen AT ALL with Mercedes, but it does!
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 269
Likes: 5
From: Denver,CO
'03 CL500,& '18 GLS63. Gone: '83 500SEC,'99 500SL,'07GL450
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 711
Likes: 11
From: NW corner of CONUS
2008 GL 320 CDI, 2004 VW V10 Touareg TDI
Trending Topics
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
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 269
Likes: 5
From: Denver,CO
'03 CL500,& '18 GLS63. Gone: '83 500SEC,'99 500SL,'07GL450
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 711
Likes: 11
From: NW corner of CONUS
2008 GL 320 CDI, 2004 VW V10 Touareg TDI
The Auxiliary battery is kind of like a emergency back up power supply so that when, for example, the main battery is changed out all power isn't lost to essential systems. The computer is one of those essential systems and the computer also controls the charging of each battery and sheds loads automatically if a fault in one of the batteries is detected.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
2010 E350 Coupe, 2010 GL350 Bluetec
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 711
Likes: 11
From: NW corner of CONUS
2008 GL 320 CDI, 2004 VW V10 Touareg TDI
I'd start with Johnson Controls online, see if I could get a part number match up and perhaps a list of dealers near me where the battery might be ordered through. Or maybe find a dealer through the web and let them find the part number for your rig. See attachment for more (dated) information.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 541
Likes: 22
From: USA
10 speed bicycle
The Auxiliary battery is kind of like a emergency back up power supply so that when, for example, the main battery is changed out all power isn't lost to essential systems. The computer is one of those essential systems and the computer also controls the charging of each battery and sheds loads automatically if a fault in one of the batteries is detected.
Due to there being no mechanical connection between the shifter (Direct Select lever) and the transmission gear selector (ISM), there was a need to be able to engage PARK in the event of a battery failure. There is a microswitch in the ignition switch (EIS) that if, and when the key is removed in a vehicle with a dead battery, the aux battery will supply enough power to allow the servo to engage park.
Aside from that, to the OP, it definitely sounds like you have a quiescent (key-off) type of current draw. Many things can cause it, also AGM (glass-mat) batteries can not sustain voltages below 9-10 volts, as this will kill the battery. So additionally you may need a battery.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 711
Likes: 11
From: NW corner of CONUS
2008 GL 320 CDI, 2004 VW V10 Touareg TDI
So, if I understand correctly, my car, which has keyless go (and the key is never removed) can do without the aux battery just fine since, even with a dead battery, the park will engage anyway?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,268
Likes: 253
If you have opened your rear lid with the key fob or your rear lid is misaligned and does not latch properly- your battery has drained. There is a tsb for that and the rear CAM software module needs to be reflashed.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 541
Likes: 22
From: USA
10 speed bicycle
Your question is slightly unclear. I forgot to mention about KG...if you shut off the engine and open the door, park will engage. If the battery is dead, and you have no aux battery, park will not engage.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 541
Likes: 22
From: USA
10 speed bicycle
I believe you are reffering to the rear SAM, not CAM. Also that DTB does not apply to 2010 model year.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
2019 G550
I have 2010 GL350 BT and have kind of similar problem too. Sometimes (mostly when in cooler temperatures) it will not start... you put the key in turn.. it does click and sounds like there is no juice... Messege says REMOVE KEY... I remove key... do it several times then it starts. Took a car to the dealership... they kept it for a day... I started OK all the time... And I still have this problem....
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,268
Likes: 253
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 711
Likes: 11
From: NW corner of CONUS
2008 GL 320 CDI, 2004 VW V10 Touareg TDI
If that is the ONLY reason for the aux battery, then there must be some extremely obscure safety rule somewhere about 'fail safe' into park mode that would warrant the expense of providing and maintaining this extra battery. I realize that the so called 'parking' brake requires a great deal of pressure to hold the car on a grade, but depending on the park pawl is also risky.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 541
Likes: 22
From: USA
10 speed bicycle
EXACTLY...this battery is very small. I tried to find a pic of it, but was unable to, I'm out of work next week, but when I get back I'll snap a pic of one. Every MB that has an ISM (no direct link from shifter to trans) has one of these batteries(US market: 164, 251, 212, & some 221 without dual battery), EXCEPT the SLS...but the trans in that is a different animal all together.
