2010 GLK350 Battery Dead
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
2001 SLK320
2010 GLK350 Battery Dead
My 2010 GLK350 has less than 47000 miles and the battery keeps on dying. I have charged it well more than overnight, and the vehicle starts. It will start a couple of more times with that charge and then.. Poof... Dead battery. Charge it again and ditto ......
What if anything anyone could suggest I do? Thanks.
What if anything anyone could suggest I do? Thanks.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 323
Likes: 31
From: Ottawa ON Canada
2015 ML350 Bluetec
Verify that the GLK's charging system is working properly... Bend over and purchase a new battery!!! Sheeshhh! Some batteries last a good long time, unfortunately, your's did not...
Last edited by Koenig1; Nov 19, 2013 at 08:43 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 337
Likes: 11
From: Northern California
2016 GLE300d 4Matic
If your charging system is working properly this might be a bad cell. Take the resting voltage of the battery after it has been sitting for a few hours undisturbed. The voltage should be at least 12.6 up to 12.86. If it is reading closer to 11.5 to 12.0 you have a shorted cell. This happens when the lead sulphate sloughing off the cells builds up in the bottom and reaches the plates. This also happens when plates warp and touch each other.
You can get a quick read of your charging system by checking the battery voltage with the engine running. It should read around 14.5 volts. Turn on everything you can - lights, A/C etc. and it should momentarily dip and then resume 14.5 volts. If not, your charging circuit needs checking.
If your battery reads fine after charging (12.6+ )and then sinks back down (< 12.5) it's time to replace it.
You can get a quick read of your charging system by checking the battery voltage with the engine running. It should read around 14.5 volts. Turn on everything you can - lights, A/C etc. and it should momentarily dip and then resume 14.5 volts. If not, your charging circuit needs checking.
If your battery reads fine after charging (12.6+ )and then sinks back down (< 12.5) it's time to replace it.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 691
Likes: 30
Today, our dealer ran a free service clinic. 65 point inspection plus a car wash!
My GLK was too new, so took a different car.
While waiting I chatted with another guy - he had a 2010 GLK350. His car passed everything except they said the battery was weak and would not hold charge properly. He had never had a problem with it but decided to get a replacement. He showed me the estimate. It was, if my memory is correct, $436 just for the battery. I was staggered. Do these cars have some sort of special battery?
My GLK was too new, so took a different car.
While waiting I chatted with another guy - he had a 2010 GLK350. His car passed everything except they said the battery was weak and would not hold charge properly. He had never had a problem with it but decided to get a replacement. He showed me the estimate. It was, if my memory is correct, $436 just for the battery. I was staggered. Do these cars have some sort of special battery?
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 39
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
2013 GLK 350
We have a W210 E Class (2001) and I have always found it easier and cheaper to call MBUSA Roadside Assistance have and come change the battery at home lol. The dealer wanted $300 for the battery replacement, and the same dealer came to my home and changed it for $180. The tech who came and changed the battery said this was far more economical than taking the car in to have the battery replaced.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 691
Likes: 30
We have a W210 E Class (2001) and I have always found it easier and cheaper to call MBUSA Roadside Assistance have and come change the battery at home lol. The dealer wanted $300 for the battery replacement, and the same dealer came to my home and changed it for $180. The tech who came and changed the battery said this was far more economical than taking the car in to have the battery replaced.
I usually just go and buy a battery with a good warranty at battery shop About $140 last time for E320.
I was really asking if that is really what a GLK battery costs ($400+) and if so, is it something special!
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Junior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
GLK
My 2010 GLK350 has less than 47000 miles and the battery keeps on dying. I have charged it well more than overnight, and the vehicle starts. It will start a couple of more times with that charge and then.. Poof... Dead battery. Charge it again and ditto ......
What if anything anyone could suggest I do? Thanks.
What if anything anyone could suggest I do? Thanks.
I got it changed 38K at Autozone. Autozone had a beautiful 20% off coupon online. They still do. I paid a little bit over $100 for my Duralast battery.Free installation.
If you do your research, the best batteries are either Sears Die Hard, Interstate, or Duralast (made by Interstate, but sold by Autozone). Walmart surprisingly makes an amazing battery that is also made by Interstate. Costco makes great batteries according to Consumer reports, but unfortunately they do not sell batteries for the GLK.
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GLK-350 dead battery
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 308
Likes: 4
From: Tennessee, USA
Red GLK350, blue '87 Toyota Land Cruiser
Today, our dealer ran a free service clinic. 65 point inspection plus a car wash!
My GLK was too new, so took a different car.
While waiting I chatted with another guy - he had a 2010 GLK350. His car passed everything except they said the battery was weak and would not hold charge properly. He had never had a problem with it but decided to get a replacement. He showed me the estimate. It was, if my memory is correct, $436 just for the battery. I was staggered. Do these cars have some sort of special battery?
My GLK was too new, so took a different car.
While waiting I chatted with another guy - he had a 2010 GLK350. His car passed everything except they said the battery was weak and would not hold charge properly. He had never had a problem with it but decided to get a replacement. He showed me the estimate. It was, if my memory is correct, $436 just for the battery. I was staggered. Do these cars have some sort of special battery?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,136
Likes: 7
From: Los Angeles
2013 Infiniti G37 Coupe; 2011 GLK 350 w/ Premium 1, Multimedia & Sport Appearance; I LOVE IT!
Today, our dealer ran a free service clinic. 65 point inspection plus a car wash!
My GLK was too new, so took a different car.
While waiting I chatted with another guy - he had a 2010 GLK350. His car passed everything except they said the battery was weak and would not hold charge properly. He had never had a problem with it but decided to get a replacement. He showed me the estimate. It was, if my memory is correct, $436 just for the battery. I was staggered. Do these cars have some sort of special battery?
My GLK was too new, so took a different car.
While waiting I chatted with another guy - he had a 2010 GLK350. His car passed everything except they said the battery was weak and would not hold charge properly. He had never had a problem with it but decided to get a replacement. He showed me the estimate. It was, if my memory is correct, $436 just for the battery. I was staggered. Do these cars have some sort of special battery?
The only time to get a battery from a dealer is when it is covered by warranty...
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 861
Likes: 38
From: Philly area
350 GLK, C280
Most modern cars you connect a second battery with clips before disconnecting the original. Remove the old battery and put a new one in. Connect it then disconnect the second battery. This way everything remains the same in the computers and radio and what else. 4 years is a good time on a battery. It is the discharge charge cycles and heat that kill the battery not the millage.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 932
Likes: 38
From: North of Boston
Most modern cars you connect a second battery with clips before disconnecting the original. Remove the old battery and put a new one in. Connect it then disconnect the second battery. This way everything remains the same in the computers and radio and what else. 4 years is a good time on a battery. It is the discharge charge cycles and heat that kill the battery not the millage.
In other words...do as Bop explained!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,780
Likes: 115
From: Northern NJ
GLK 350 / Porsche 993
Most modern cars you connect a second battery with clips before disconnecting the original. Remove the old battery and put a new one in. Connect it then disconnect the second battery. This way everything remains the same in the computers and radio and what else. 4 years is a good time on a battery. It is the discharge charge cycles and heat that kill the battery not the millage.
battery is more like 5-6 years old. 2010 came out as early as january 2009 with build dates at the end of 2008.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 932
Likes: 38
From: North of Boston
as long as you go a few hundred miles after battery change before emissions inspection, there will be no issues.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 337
Likes: 11
From: Northern California
2016 GLE300d 4Matic
Mercedes has been using AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) batteries which have very little acid in them since 2003 or so. They are much more expensive than an old fashioned flooded cell full of sulfuric acid you could top off with distilled water. They are also much more sensitive to overcharging. Their big benefit is packing a lot more power per pound. I found Interstate stores have the battery for a bit less than $200 which is the best I've found. Sounds like it might have aged out prematurely but that's quite possible since they are sensitive. I would charge it up and see if it holds a charge and stays around 12.6v or better. You might have a short pulling your battery down. The most likely culprit is recent stereo or custom electronics. Pull fuses to see if everything quiets down.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
GLK 2010
How do I know if the battery is about to die ?
I jump started someone by my car and now CD drive Unavailable ! took it to dealer, they said didn't know what's the problem and ask me to change the whole radio unit !
I don't care about the CD drive, but there is a sound peeping every few seconds that annoying me
Wondering if I replace battery this may go !?
I jump started someone by my car and now CD drive Unavailable ! took it to dealer, they said didn't know what's the problem and ask me to change the whole radio unit !
I don't care about the CD drive, but there is a sound peeping every few seconds that annoying me
Wondering if I replace battery this may go !?
Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 113
Likes: 25
From: Washington State
2013 GLK 350 4Matic
I have a 2013 GLK 350 with 27000 miles on it and my factory AGM battery was recently replaced under warrantee. It was losing charge whenever it wasn't being driven. It would go from 12.7 volts resting at the end of the day to 12.2 volts the next morning. Dealer did some re-programming and replaced the battery which they said was weak, but didn't solve anything. I had measured the battery with a Solar BD-7 tester and it showed 500 CCA on a 2 + year old 800 CCA battery, so it was degraded.
The battery always had 2+ amps draw on it any time I measured. After pulling on the negative lead from the battery to the ground point under the hood in order to get my clamp-on ammeter on the lead, the symptoms changed and most of the problem disappeared. Now, every once in while I'll see 12.5 volts in the morning, but most of the time it's 12.7. I didn't find any loose connections, but something definitely changed. I have been waiting for the problem to reappear, but its playing hard to get.
I did find a TSB on Alldata that talks about the MBrace system continously drawing current to try to update itself even though it's not activated. This has caused battery problems for others. Not sure this would apply to a 2010 GLK, but if my symptoms reappear, I'm going to take mine back to the dealer and see what they say about that TSB. The number is LI82-95_P-0566552. The date was 7/2013. Maybe that will help someone who has a battery draw problem.
The battery always had 2+ amps draw on it any time I measured. After pulling on the negative lead from the battery to the ground point under the hood in order to get my clamp-on ammeter on the lead, the symptoms changed and most of the problem disappeared. Now, every once in while I'll see 12.5 volts in the morning, but most of the time it's 12.7. I didn't find any loose connections, but something definitely changed. I have been waiting for the problem to reappear, but its playing hard to get.
I did find a TSB on Alldata that talks about the MBrace system continously drawing current to try to update itself even though it's not activated. This has caused battery problems for others. Not sure this would apply to a 2010 GLK, but if my symptoms reappear, I'm going to take mine back to the dealer and see what they say about that TSB. The number is LI82-95_P-0566552. The date was 7/2013. Maybe that will help someone who has a battery draw problem.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 337
Likes: 11
From: Northern California
2016 GLE300d 4Matic
When to Replace
If your charging system is working properly this might be a bad cell. Take the resting voltage of the battery after it has been sitting for a few hours undisturbed. The voltage should be at least 12.6 up to 12.86. If it is reading closer to 11.5 to 12.0 you have a shorted cell. This happens when the lead sulphate sloughing off the cells builds up in the bottom and reaches the plates. This also happens when plates warp and touch each other.
You can get a quick read of your charging system by checking the battery voltage with the engine running. It should read around 14.5 volts. Turn on everything you can - lights, A/C etc. and it should momentarily dip and then resume 14.5 volts. If not, your charging circuit needs checking.
If your battery reads fine after charging (12.6+ )and then sinks back down (< 12.5) it's time to replace it.
You can get a quick read of your charging system by checking the battery voltage with the engine running. It should read around 14.5 volts. Turn on everything you can - lights, A/C etc. and it should momentarily dip and then resume 14.5 volts. If not, your charging circuit needs checking.
If your battery reads fine after charging (12.6+ )and then sinks back down (< 12.5) it's time to replace it.
Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 137
Likes: 3
From: Denver, CO
2013 GLK 350 4Matic
When I brought my 2013 in for B Service at 40,000 miles, they replaced the battery under warranty, saying it tested low. I didn't even know I had a problem. I bought the car as a CPO with about 22,000 miles on it, and it was probably the original battery. I figure this is decent lofe, considering I have a 500 watt amplifier in the rear fender for a subwoofer and a 75 watt amp under the dash for the the door speakers. The local MINI dealership wanted $330 to install a battery in her 2008 S, but we bought a Duralast at Autozone for $185 and I installed it within 30 minutes.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1
Likes: 1
GLK350
This is actually a problem with the messed up German design. These vehicles regulate the battery and system to only 12.6V which is too low to sustain the battery's life for several years like in other cars. Most car batteries should last for at least 5 to 8 years if properly maintained. For whatever reason the Germans think 12.6V is where it should be, but that's incorrect. When the engine is running it should keep the battery and the system at 13.8V and that’s where the problem is because it doesn't. Again, it’s the messed-up German interpretation of what the operating voltage should be. When you first start-up the GLK350’s engine the alternator puts out just over 14V, but for only around 30 seconds or more, then the 12.6V regulator kicks in and keeps it there. The battery itself without the engine running should be around 12.6V and with the engine running it should be 13.8V to 14V and that’s where the problem is because it simply doesn’t do it.
We have a 2010 GLK350 and the batteries only last around 3.5 years max. We are already on the 3rd battery because of this design mistake. I just had to replaced it again over the weekend.
.
We have a 2010 GLK350 and the batteries only last around 3.5 years max. We are already on the 3rd battery because of this design mistake. I just had to replaced it again over the weekend.
.
Member
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 187
Likes: 45
2008 R320 CDI 4MATIC
FWIW.......
How I solved my battery issue and future battery issues.
I purchased an Odyssey battery, yes they cost more than a MB original factory battery.
Purchased from a supplier that offers "Lifetime Exchange Warranty"
This is the last battery purchase required. Exchange for a new one when not good, the only cost will be returning the original purchased battery.
I have no financial interest in Odyssey or the supplier. Am only a paying customer who will purchase again.
Joseph~
I purchased an Odyssey battery, yes they cost more than a MB original factory battery.
Purchased from a supplier that offers "Lifetime Exchange Warranty"
This is the last battery purchase required. Exchange for a new one when not good, the only cost will be returning the original purchased battery.
I have no financial interest in Odyssey or the supplier. Am only a paying customer who will purchase again.
Joseph~
Last edited by Joseph~; Mar 16, 2020 at 10:47 AM.
