Battery Problems?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 440
Likes: 44
From: Oakland, CA
2014 E350 Estate Wagon 4Matic
Battery Problems?
MY ML350 wouldn't start this morning, but when I turned the key on all the lights turned on as if the battery was fine. I jumped started it and drove it about 35 miles on the freeway and turned it off and it still doesn't turn over. Any ideas? I'm planning on taking it in, but why won't it charge enough after driving it for 35 miles?
Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Greensboro, NC
00' ML 55 AMG; 08' Jeep Wrangler Unlimted (4 Door)
Originally Posted by hecdog
MY ML350 wouldn't start this morning, but when I turned the key on all the lights turned on as if the battery was fine. I jumped started it and drove it about 35 miles on the freeway and turned it off and it still doesn't turn over. Any ideas? I'm planning on taking it in, but why won't it charge enough after driving it for 35 miles?
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 268
Likes: 1
From: San Diego
ML430, Mini Cooper S and Porsche 911 Twin Turbo
Most likely a dying battery.....
one or more cells failing. If you have a voltmeter, check the battery voltage with no load - likely it'll read circa 12 Volts, then turn on the iginition and head lights (do not crank the engine) - if the voltage drops below 10V then it's likely time for a new battery.
To be sure, try cranking the engine - if the Voltage goes much below 9V then change the battery.
When the engine is running you'll see about 13.8 to 14V because the alternator is producing charge.
FYI my ML is on it's 3rd battery in 5 years and 70,000 miles.
(And it's second alternator - in related to battery failures).
To be sure, try cranking the engine - if the Voltage goes much below 9V then change the battery.
When the engine is running you'll see about 13.8 to 14V because the alternator is producing charge.
FYI my ML is on it's 3rd battery in 5 years and 70,000 miles.
(And it's second alternator - in related to battery failures).
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 440
Likes: 44
From: Oakland, CA
2014 E350 Estate Wagon 4Matic
Originally Posted by 55fanatic
Hector, didnt you just put in a ton of stuff in the ML IE- stereo work???
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 14,212
Likes: 9
From: Boston, MA
00 MB ML55, 91 Toyota Supra Turbo(sold), 06 E500(gone), 03 BMW M3
Originally Posted by hecdog
I did indeed add a bunch of stuff--DVD player, monitors and subwoofer. But none of them draw current unless the MCS unit is on. I called roadside assistance and to my amazement they brought me a new battery within minutes. They thought it was just a bad battery. And it brought to mind that when I first saw this ML at the dealership, the battery was dead. They said they'd replace it if I ended up buying it. I guess they just recharged it instead of replacing it.
