Strange this should happen
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 101
Likes: 2
S 320
Strange this should happen
My S320 is used mainly on weekends.
The battery is brand new and I am not experiencing any problems regarding battery drain.
My problem (if you can call it that) only seems to occur if I connect my Ctek charger for a quick top up.
The charger shows 3 lights which becomes 4 ie 80% charge within around an hour.
1 hour later fully charged.
My problem is that very often after using the charger, I go to start the car and the ABS light stays on and the menu scrolls through all the fault visit workshop menu's until I do the lock to lock steering re set thingy.
After that all is fine with no fault codes being stored ??
As said this only happens when i connect up the charger.
I am only opening the boot, but wonder if this action wakes up the electronics and some how it senses a change in battery voltage when connecting the charger.This then throws the fault codes as if the battery has been disconnected. Which it hasn't.
Just a guess but as anyone had similar experiences.
The battery is brand new and I am not experiencing any problems regarding battery drain.
My problem (if you can call it that) only seems to occur if I connect my Ctek charger for a quick top up.
The charger shows 3 lights which becomes 4 ie 80% charge within around an hour.
1 hour later fully charged.
My problem is that very often after using the charger, I go to start the car and the ABS light stays on and the menu scrolls through all the fault visit workshop menu's until I do the lock to lock steering re set thingy.
After that all is fine with no fault codes being stored ??
As said this only happens when i connect up the charger.
I am only opening the boot, but wonder if this action wakes up the electronics and some how it senses a change in battery voltage when connecting the charger.This then throws the fault codes as if the battery has been disconnected. Which it hasn't.
Just a guess but as anyone had similar experiences.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 780
Likes: 11
From: Dallas, TX
Range Rover
I just use a small trickle charger and it works perfectly . By any chance is your charger dedraining and then charging your battery? Or, maybe the voltage is to high and the Benz shuts certain areas off to protect itself. Either way I have a cheap 24 buck trickle charger. I would buy one from a auto store and see if you still have the same problem
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 37
From: North Carolina
2003 S500 - Toyota Corolla (in the rain)
I agree with VMystikilv. Sometimes I don't drive my car for say 3 weeks or so and I have a inexpensive trickle charger running. Never have any problems getting the car to start normally.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,474
Likes: 439
From: Ball Ground, GA (N of Atlanta)
2003 S500 2007 GL450
While this seem to be only a terminology thing to some people, there is a difference between a trickle charger and a battery maintainer.
A trickle charger puts a small charge on the battery as long as it is hooked up, regardless of the state of battery charge.
A maintainer monitors the battery charge, and puts a small charge on the battery only when the battery voltage is below full charge. When the battery is at full charge, the maintainer cuts off.
A fancier maintainer may apply pulsed voltage to the battery to reduce sulfation and increase battery life.
A trickle charger can and will overcharge the battery if it is left connected too long. A battery maintainer should never overcharge the battery.
A trickle charger puts a small charge on the battery as long as it is hooked up, regardless of the state of battery charge.
A maintainer monitors the battery charge, and puts a small charge on the battery only when the battery voltage is below full charge. When the battery is at full charge, the maintainer cuts off.
A fancier maintainer may apply pulsed voltage to the battery to reduce sulfation and increase battery life.
A trickle charger can and will overcharge the battery if it is left connected too long. A battery maintainer should never overcharge the battery.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,150
Likes: 533
Mercedes
If you don't have battery drain issues , and the problem only happens when you connect the charger , then the solution is to not connect any charger
You use the car in weekend which is sufficient without using any kind of charger or maintainer
You use the car in weekend which is sufficient without using any kind of charger or maintainer
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 101
Likes: 2
S 320
Whilst the ctek is safe to use with a connected battery, the electronics on the mercedes are very sensitive.
Voltage spikes can occur when turning the charger on and off.
I have since been told that when you open the boot which is where the battery is located.
You should connect the charger but then leave the car locked and at rest for about 30 minutes to allow the electronics to enter sleep mode.
Then turn the charger on.
Also switch the charger off before unlocking the car, so you dont wake the system up.
As you say, the best answer is not to use a charger unless absolutely neccassary or better still use the car more frequently which is what I shall try to do.
