S-Class (W220) 1999-2006: S 320 CDI, S 320, S430, S 500, S 600

Battery died, charged - intermittent malfunctions

Old Feb 19, 2012 | 07:35 AM
  #1  
Bills600's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 79
Likes: 5
From: Long Island, NY
‘03 MB S600; ‘07 Saab Aero conv; ‘65 Vette; ‘66 vette; ‘05 BMW Z4
Battery died, charged - intermittent malfunctions

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
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2012 | 11:16 AM
  #2  
RedC320S's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, B.C.
2003S600 and 2002c320s
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.
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2012 | 06:31 PM
  #3  
gumshoe100's Avatar
Junior Member
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 34
Likes: 7
From: Maine,USA
2019 S450 4matic
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.
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2012 | 06:52 PM
  #4  
Bills600's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 79
Likes: 5
From: Long Island, NY
‘03 MB S600; ‘07 Saab Aero conv; ‘65 Vette; ‘66 vette; ‘05 BMW Z4
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...
Reply
Old Feb 20, 2012 | 10:04 AM
  #5  
Bills600's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 79
Likes: 5
From: Long Island, NY
‘03 MB S600; ‘07 Saab Aero conv; ‘65 Vette; ‘66 vette; ‘05 BMW Z4
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
Reply
Old Feb 20, 2012 | 10:50 AM
  #6  
gumshoe100's Avatar
Junior Member
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 34
Likes: 7
From: Maine,USA
2019 S450 4matic
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.
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2012 | 04:03 AM
  #7  
tusabes's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,151
Likes: 533
Mercedes
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
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2012 | 02:03 PM
  #8  
windsor acr's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: canada
s600
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
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:
You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:04 AM.

story-0
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-2
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-5
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-6
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE