Bills600

My 2003 had the dreaded shift-lock failure. While I did a little research and decided what to do, the battery went dead. I charged the battery (while still connected to the car) and after several hours it started.

I had several malfunctions - SRS, Presafe inactive, and SRS failure.

Brought the car to the mechanic who fixed the shift lock (ordered 2 aluminum "claws" that didn't fit, ultimately used a plastic one - total cost parts and labor $550). I haven't spoken with him about the malfunctions as I was traveling - he said he would take care of it. My wife picked the car up - drove it once or twice over the 2 weeks I was away, and said it was fine.

Yesterday morning I started the car and all 3 malfunctions are back. Warmed the car up, turned it off and restated - they are still there. Drove about 10-15 minutes, turned the car off - no change. Drove another 5 minutes - turned the car off, and went into the store for 5 minutes - when I restated the car, the malfunctions are gone.

Drove the car the rest of the day running errands with no issues.

Since I originally had the error messages, and I believe the mechanic reset them (my wife would have noticed if there were any issues) - and then they returned yesterday, I am concerned about an intermittent problem - possibly something caused by charging the battery with it still connect?

Anyone seen this before - or offer any advice if I should be worried or ?

Thanks in advance,
B

RedC320S

If your battery is more than 5 years old, I would replace it as totally discharging it would sulfate the plates. Once sulfated, it cannot accept a full charge. To really determine its condition, a load test would be best. Considering all the electronics on our cars it is important to have a good battery.

gumshoe100

My 06' S500 has gone dead 3 or 4 times in its life. The battery is going on 7 years old next month. I don't think a couple of discharges will kill the battery in itself. The errors you are getting do sound like the standard low voltage culprits. I had the same problem with mine after some body work was done and I thought for sure something was amiss the dealer went over it stem to stern and said no problem and in fact the issue has never returned. I think it just takes time for the reset to take hold.

Bills600

Thanks for your response. Here's today's update:

Took the car out this morning - back and forth to the store - no malfunctions. Left the house this afternoon - this time had the ABC error. Stopped at the 7-11 1/4 mile from my house for coffee. When I came out - no malfunctions. Drove the car 40 miles to Brooklyn without issue, and after a few hours - took it back home with no issues.

Again, the malfunctions seem to be intermittent. Does this still sound like a low-voltage issue related to the battery? If so - I'm hoping it got a good charge on the 80 miles I drove it today...

Bills600

Does anyone else have any ideas? Does this sound like a battery problem to others? If yes, is it ok to go with a non-OEM battery as long as I match the spec?
Thanks,
B

gumshoe100

The responses I have gotten on non OEM batteries is that they can throw codes. I would recommend that you stick with OEM. It seems like cheap insurance against questioning it in the future.

The ABC code maybe unrelated. You can check the voltage I believe through your climate control. After mine went flat I put it on a trickle charger for 48 hours to get a deep charge. Didn't have any issues with it.

Check your voltages to be sure you are up to spec.

tusabes

intermittent malfunctions are common with a WEAK *but not weak enough to be dead , battery.

The $89 Autozone battery is the cheapest option and works fine

windsor acr

I changed my battery and lots of little ghosts disappeared including a hard shift from 1 to 2 in comfort mode. it was a great investment