ML is dead.. bad battery or something else?
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From: Indonesia
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ML is dead.. bad battery or something else?
I was going to go out tonight, got into my ML, the interior lights behave normally.. it wasn't dimmed or anything. Then I put the ignition key, turn it on, all instrument lights were normally lit. When I tried to start it, there was so little noise and everything went dead. Interior lights are out, instrument panel lights are out, nothing at all. The car is completely dead.
I called the 24 hour service centre and they said mostly its the battery. He asked me to put the key to on position and see if the horn worked, it didnt. When I turn the key to on position tho, i noticed the ambient orange LED under the mirror lit up, and the green LED for the auto dimming lit up too. On the instrument panel, i saw some warning lights flickering but very dim..
They asked me to disconnect the car and try charging the battery. The thing is i dont have battery charger handy at home so I would have to wait till tomorrow to get a battery charger.
I'm just a little concerned as the last time the battery died on me, its just refused to start, the interior lights are still functional.
The battery just got replaced about 2 years ago, it was a battery made by Johnson Control company. OEM Mercedes battery is very expensive over here, dealer quoted $600 for it.
I'm just asking to see if anyone ever experience the same thing.. and if its normal that the car is totally dead when the battery is dead..
TIA guys
I called the 24 hour service centre and they said mostly its the battery. He asked me to put the key to on position and see if the horn worked, it didnt. When I turn the key to on position tho, i noticed the ambient orange LED under the mirror lit up, and the green LED for the auto dimming lit up too. On the instrument panel, i saw some warning lights flickering but very dim..
They asked me to disconnect the car and try charging the battery. The thing is i dont have battery charger handy at home so I would have to wait till tomorrow to get a battery charger.
I'm just a little concerned as the last time the battery died on me, its just refused to start, the interior lights are still functional.
The battery just got replaced about 2 years ago, it was a battery made by Johnson Control company. OEM Mercedes battery is very expensive over here, dealer quoted $600 for it.
I'm just asking to see if anyone ever experience the same thing.. and if its normal that the car is totally dead when the battery is dead..
TIA guys
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Joined: Aug 2008
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ML
when my OEM battery died at 5 years, it went out completely and 100% dead. Don't know about the aftermarket battery you had installed, but my experience with many cars / batteries over the years is that the non OEM have a very short life. I've come to the conclusion that most aftermarket batteries have a 24-36 month lifespan. They want you to rebuy! OEM batteries have warranty and reputation concerns, so my suspicion is that manufacturers want them to outlast the basic warranty. I've gotten to the point that I just buy non OEM and prepare to replace them every 2-3 years.
n fact, I am charging a Interstafe battery on my Porsche as I write! I even used a 1amp trickle charger on it when I put the car into storate 9 months ago - just put it back on the road today.
Just a quick tip on your ML battery - check for corrosion, loose battery terminals, and check the water level - you will be surprised how low it can get in the ML. I checked the water level in my ML a few months ago when the battery was not charging properly and it was probably down 40%! Top it off with distilled water before you charge it. And watch for gases while charging - I`ve had batteries explode during charge cycles.
search the posts or google for the right way to charge é jump start your car.
BTW, ask your service dealer if you can reconnect the battery safely without damaging the ECU etc in the car as you don`t want a voltage spike to fry that costly electronic brain!
good luck
n fact, I am charging a Interstafe battery on my Porsche as I write! I even used a 1amp trickle charger on it when I put the car into storate 9 months ago - just put it back on the road today.
Just a quick tip on your ML battery - check for corrosion, loose battery terminals, and check the water level - you will be surprised how low it can get in the ML. I checked the water level in my ML a few months ago when the battery was not charging properly and it was probably down 40%! Top it off with distilled water before you charge it. And watch for gases while charging - I`ve had batteries explode during charge cycles.
search the posts or google for the right way to charge é jump start your car.
BTW, ask your service dealer if you can reconnect the battery safely without damaging the ECU etc in the car as you don`t want a voltage spike to fry that costly electronic brain!
good luck
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Indonesia
German karts
Thanks for the insight. I was worried if there is something more involved as when my OEM battery died, the car just refused to start with all other electrical system still running.
The non OEM Battery im using now is maintenance free battery, and no corrosion present when I look at the terminals. The battery is 2 year old, so maybe thats the culprit.
Most of battery stores are closed on sunday, so I'm gonna have to wait till monday. Dealer's part dept is also closed on sundays (we only have 1 Merc dealer in town). I called the 24 hour customer service this morning and they suggested to buy non OEM battery somewhere else as they are selling them at higher price. Non OEM is about $170 for regular battery, $200-250 for maintenance-free batteries. OEM Mercedes battery is sold at dealer at $600
Dealer said they will come to my house and install the battery for me on monday, so I guess they'll know the safe way to reconnect the battery.
Thanks for the tips! I'll keep that in mind for my next battery. Maybe i should buy battery conditioner or something... as I rarely drive my car (2-3 times a week)
The non OEM Battery im using now is maintenance free battery, and no corrosion present when I look at the terminals. The battery is 2 year old, so maybe thats the culprit.
Most of battery stores are closed on sunday, so I'm gonna have to wait till monday. Dealer's part dept is also closed on sundays (we only have 1 Merc dealer in town). I called the 24 hour customer service this morning and they suggested to buy non OEM battery somewhere else as they are selling them at higher price. Non OEM is about $170 for regular battery, $200-250 for maintenance-free batteries. OEM Mercedes battery is sold at dealer at $600
Dealer said they will come to my house and install the battery for me on monday, so I guess they'll know the safe way to reconnect the battery.
Thanks for the tips! I'll keep that in mind for my next battery. Maybe i should buy battery conditioner or something... as I rarely drive my car (2-3 times a week)
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Battery replaced, car started right up with no problem..
Anyone has any suggestion regarding battery conditioner/trickle charger for this car? Do I have to disconect the battery first to use that?
TIA guys
Anyone has any suggestion regarding battery conditioner/trickle charger for this car? Do I have to disconect the battery first to use that?
TIA guys
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I've used one of these http://batterytender.com/ on various cars and garden tractors over the years with no problems. No need to disconect the battery either. My 2 cents.
Thanks for the info
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