SL/R230: "Electric Consumers Offline" even with new battery
09-26-2010, 01:04 PM
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500SL 2003
"Electric Consumers Offline" even with new battery
Hi. I've got an '03 SL500 which seems to run down its auxiliary battery really quickly. I've taken it to the local Mercedes Dealership four times; they've charged me a lot of money and changed a few things but failed to fix the fault.
I just can't arrange to drive the car every day - and really, I don't think I should have to if it's not convenient - but after three days or so I'll have the "Electric Consumers Offline" message and all the familiar nonsense that goes along with that. And it will take at least 20 mins of driving, often much longer to go away. When it's in that state the AC will try to boil you unless you set it to minimum, in which case it will try to freeze you. So for the first half hour of driving I have to turn the AC off. Once the "Electric Consumers Offline" message goes, the electrics generally work (except for the tire pressure system which has had a new controller and four new sensors and still doesn't work).
The dealership have changed the auxiliary battery and run various tests. They were convinced that the Telephone Control Module (I think it was called) was at fault. They changed it but the problem is still the same (except now the radio, the voice of the satnav and the phone itself don't work half the time - I think they've left an audio connection loose). Their last word on the subject was that they 'give up', which I have to say didn't impress me.
The car's in great condition otherwise, and I'd quite like to sell it, but I can't ask a sensible price if it's forever flashing up warnings and half the equipment doesn't work until you're nearly at your destination.
I've seen lots of other people on here with similar faults, but often it seems to come down to changing the auxiliary battery - well, mine's been changed at least twice that I know of (the car was my late dad's before I took it over). Any thoughts on what to do about it? Or a better garage to take it to (I'm a bit north of Oxford in the UK) because the Oxford dealership can't remember what fault they're supposed to be fixing half the time.
Any help greatly appreciated.
I just can't arrange to drive the car every day - and really, I don't think I should have to if it's not convenient - but after three days or so I'll have the "Electric Consumers Offline" message and all the familiar nonsense that goes along with that. And it will take at least 20 mins of driving, often much longer to go away. When it's in that state the AC will try to boil you unless you set it to minimum, in which case it will try to freeze you. So for the first half hour of driving I have to turn the AC off. Once the "Electric Consumers Offline" message goes, the electrics generally work (except for the tire pressure system which has had a new controller and four new sensors and still doesn't work).
The dealership have changed the auxiliary battery and run various tests. They were convinced that the Telephone Control Module (I think it was called) was at fault. They changed it but the problem is still the same (except now the radio, the voice of the satnav and the phone itself don't work half the time - I think they've left an audio connection loose). Their last word on the subject was that they 'give up', which I have to say didn't impress me.
The car's in great condition otherwise, and I'd quite like to sell it, but I can't ask a sensible price if it's forever flashing up warnings and half the equipment doesn't work until you're nearly at your destination.
I've seen lots of other people on here with similar faults, but often it seems to come down to changing the auxiliary battery - well, mine's been changed at least twice that I know of (the car was my late dad's before I took it over). Any thoughts on what to do about it? Or a better garage to take it to (I'm a bit north of Oxford in the UK) because the Oxford dealership can't remember what fault they're supposed to be fixing half the time.
Any help greatly appreciated.
09-27-2010, 09:44 AM
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2007 E63, 2006 C55
RE: Electrical Drain
My SL displyed this message exactly once, after it had not been driven for several weeks due to Winter weather. When started up it recharged itself without further issue.
You obviously have an electrical drain, and need to find a shop with the patience and expertise to repair it correctly.
As a US subscriber to Mercedes Enthusiast mag, I am always impressed with the adverts in that mag that literally list dozens of Independent MB specialists across the UK. I would suggest that you pick up the current issue, and call some of them to see who can get your car sorted out.
Best of luck with it.
You obviously have an electrical drain, and need to find a shop with the patience and expertise to repair it correctly.
As a US subscriber to Mercedes Enthusiast mag, I am always impressed with the adverts in that mag that literally list dozens of Independent MB specialists across the UK. I would suggest that you pick up the current issue, and call some of them to see who can get your car sorted out.
Best of luck with it.
