New tires and now a dead battery and leaking coolant
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 114
Likes: 10
From: Northern California
2009 S550
New tires and now a dead battery and leaking coolant
While I can’t figure out what the connection might be, I can’t ignore the timing either.
took my 2009 S550 in for new rear tires today, and on the way home I got a message “start the engine within 3 minutes or COMAND will shut off”. Made it home and let the car idle for about 20 minutes then shut off the engine and tried to restart with no luck. I also noticed some dripping liquid in the front drivers side, originally I thought it was the usual condensation from the AC, but dropped a paper towel on it to find it was a blue liquid (coolant I believe?).
Now I honestly don’t know how replacing the rear tires could cause either of these problems, but the battery is less than a year old, and the alternator is about 2. Is this just a very strange coincidence, or could something have been done wrong with the tire replacement?
took my 2009 S550 in for new rear tires today, and on the way home I got a message “start the engine within 3 minutes or COMAND will shut off”. Made it home and let the car idle for about 20 minutes then shut off the engine and tried to restart with no luck. I also noticed some dripping liquid in the front drivers side, originally I thought it was the usual condensation from the AC, but dropped a paper towel on it to find it was a blue liquid (coolant I believe?).
Now I honestly don’t know how replacing the rear tires could cause either of these problems, but the battery is less than a year old, and the alternator is about 2. Is this just a very strange coincidence, or could something have been done wrong with the tire replacement?
Member
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 129
Likes: 16
From: UK, RHD
Bicycle, 2004 c200k
Are you a regular customer at this place? I cant think of how these 2 are related unless either a coincidence or some conspiracy theory/accident.
Lets start guessing how, Did they blast your radio for some nice music while they changed your tires?
Any reason for them to open the hood? did you ask for any fluid top ups?
similar error, he got his battery and alternator checked.
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...-included.html
Lets start guessing how, Did they blast your radio for some nice music while they changed your tires?
Any reason for them to open the hood? did you ask for any fluid top ups?
similar error, he got his battery and alternator checked.
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...-included.html
The "Please Start Engine" message means that the battery voltage has dropped below the normal threshold, and the car is asking you to start the engine to recharge the battery.
If you say the battery is fine, then the battery charging may be intermittent (e.g. Alternator issue).
If you say the battery is fine, then the battery charging may be intermittent (e.g. Alternator issue).
Last edited by DjaKRAbb; Dec 6, 2020 at 05:56 PM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 114
Likes: 10
From: Northern California
2009 S550
No, not a regular customer. It was the closest place to my house that was open on a Sunday. Like I said, I don’t see how there could be a connection either, outside of the timing, but a one year old battery and two year old alternator shouldn’t be having issues either.
as far as going under the hood, doesn’t the battery have to be disconnected because of the airmatic suspension? Or did I make that up... I might have.
the car did sit for 4 days without being run, but that shouldn’t be an issue with a relatively new battery and alternator.
as far as going under the hood, doesn’t the battery have to be disconnected because of the airmatic suspension? Or did I make that up... I might have.
the car did sit for 4 days without being run, but that shouldn’t be an issue with a relatively new battery and alternator.
Member
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 129
Likes: 16
From: UK, RHD
Bicycle, 2004 c200k
Get the battery fully charged first. 4 days without running - short trip to garage - short trip home would drain a battery.
I dont know about the specifics of the airmatic suspension
The leaking 'blue' fluid on the other hand... what color is your coolant in the reservoir
I dont know about the specifics of the airmatic suspension
The leaking 'blue' fluid on the other hand... what color is your coolant in the reservoir
Member
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 129
Likes: 16
From: UK, RHD
Bicycle, 2004 c200k
Unless your washer fluid is also blue then it will be coolant yes (i have yellow coolant fluid). Check for any puddles under the car tomorrow and the reservoir.. the drip remains a mystery. make sure battery is fully charged / check the voltage and continue from there. idle for 20 minutes , and not being able to start car after is worrying though.
*Your car seems to have 2 batteries, one in the trunk and one in the engine bay. hopefully someone experienced can offer you advice
*Your car seems to have 2 batteries, one in the trunk and one in the engine bay. hopefully someone experienced can offer you advice
Last edited by DjaKRAbb; Dec 6, 2020 at 08:36 PM.
