SL/R129: Totally dead, wait while then power again
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Newbie
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 5
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2001 CLK 430
Totally dead, wait while then power again
Having an issue with my 99 sl500.
First symptomwas went to start in morning and electrical system completely dead, no response, no lights. Opened hood, nothing seen, closed hood. Waited 5 min then everything was fine. Used car several days then it sat for 3 days
Second symptom battery down to 1.7 volts. Put maintenance charger on for couple hours, barely got to 3 amps. Figured battery was due for change after 5 years. Put new one in and ran fine.
Third symptom;, after sitting several days battery down to 2.5 volts. Nothing left on so assume a short of some sort.
Fourth symptom, charged battery to 12 volts. Car started and ran battery up to 12.3 volts.
Fifth symptom, within 2 hours was down to 11.7 volts.
What worries me is the initial issue with zero power to car which after several attempts suddenly returned and all seemed well. Initially thought an internal short in battery which was temporary but then became final indicating new battery needed. Now I'm afraid to use the car day to day and keeping a maintenance charger overnight that total power loss may happen anytime and strand me. Where I am now located there are no reliable independents to work on car and dealer 50 miles away has bad reputation.
Question: anyone aware of some component in the car that could produce this issue. Perhaps the total power cut off unit for crash protection located behind front grill ?
First symptomwas went to start in morning and electrical system completely dead, no response, no lights. Opened hood, nothing seen, closed hood. Waited 5 min then everything was fine. Used car several days then it sat for 3 days
Second symptom battery down to 1.7 volts. Put maintenance charger on for couple hours, barely got to 3 amps. Figured battery was due for change after 5 years. Put new one in and ran fine.
Third symptom;, after sitting several days battery down to 2.5 volts. Nothing left on so assume a short of some sort.
Fourth symptom, charged battery to 12 volts. Car started and ran battery up to 12.3 volts.
Fifth symptom, within 2 hours was down to 11.7 volts.
What worries me is the initial issue with zero power to car which after several attempts suddenly returned and all seemed well. Initially thought an internal short in battery which was temporary but then became final indicating new battery needed. Now I'm afraid to use the car day to day and keeping a maintenance charger overnight that total power loss may happen anytime and strand me. Where I am now located there are no reliable independents to work on car and dealer 50 miles away has bad reputation.
Question: anyone aware of some component in the car that could produce this issue. Perhaps the total power cut off unit for crash protection located behind front grill ?
