SL/R230: Starter battery problem
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 334
Likes: 3
From: Norway
2020 AMG C63S Coupe, Kawasaki ZX10R
Starter battery problem
I have not been been using my car for 3 weeks. I charged both batteries with the Ctek charger some days ago.
Today I took my car for a short trip. After starting and stopping the car 3 or 4 times it wouldn't start. Tried several times, the engine turned very slowly. A friend came with jumper cables, and I tried once more time before connecting the jumper cables, and suddenly the car started as the battery was charged. Did not make any sense.
Then I drove for 5 min. and stopped again. Tried to start, no luck, the engine just turned slowly. Had to call friend again, the car started right away with cables.
I drove home and connected the Ctek again. The battery charged for a couple of hours before it was 100%. After charging the car started ok. I took it for an 20 min. drive to test. When I came home I stopped the car and tried to start it again. At first attempt it started, at the second attempt it couldn't start. Had to attach the Ctek again.
This is very confusing. I get no display messages. It almost seems like the car wont start when the engine is warm, only when it's cold. Is this a defective battery, or could something else be wrong like the starter?
Today I took my car for a short trip. After starting and stopping the car 3 or 4 times it wouldn't start. Tried several times, the engine turned very slowly. A friend came with jumper cables, and I tried once more time before connecting the jumper cables, and suddenly the car started as the battery was charged. Did not make any sense.
Then I drove for 5 min. and stopped again. Tried to start, no luck, the engine just turned slowly. Had to call friend again, the car started right away with cables.
I drove home and connected the Ctek again. The battery charged for a couple of hours before it was 100%. After charging the car started ok. I took it for an 20 min. drive to test. When I came home I stopped the car and tried to start it again. At first attempt it started, at the second attempt it couldn't start. Had to attach the Ctek again.
This is very confusing. I get no display messages. It almost seems like the car wont start when the engine is warm, only when it's cold. Is this a defective battery, or could something else be wrong like the starter?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 334
Likes: 3
From: Norway
2020 AMG C63S Coupe, Kawasaki ZX10R
I don't know the age of the battery, but it look like it as been there for a while. I think it's strange that I can charge it with the Ctek and that it discharge so fast.
I'm not sure if it will solve the problem or not, but I'm going to pick up a new battery from Mercedes at Monday.
I'm not sure if it will solve the problem or not, but I'm going to pick up a new battery from Mercedes at Monday.
Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
From: OKC, OK.
2014 SL550
I don't know the age of the battery, but it look like it as been there for a while. I think it's strange that I can charge it with the Ctek and that it discharge so fast.
I'm not sure if it will solve the problem or not, but I'm going to pick up a new battery from Mercedes at Monday.
I'm not sure if it will solve the problem or not, but I'm going to pick up a new battery from Mercedes at Monday.
Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
From: OKC, OK.
2014 SL550
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 22
Likes: 1
2005 SL55 2000 CL500
The R230 Starter Battery normally lasts about 4-5 years. Maybe less if its not driven regularly. Call Roadside Assistance and they will come out and test the Battery. After they show you it has a cell thats bad they weill replace it for you righjt then and there. Normally about $ 150.00 Installed. Roadside is free for the life of your car. Use them. Its cheaper than the Dealer. And about the same as DIY.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 334
Likes: 3
From: Norway
2020 AMG C63S Coupe, Kawasaki ZX10R
As my car is a 2002 modell I guess this is the second battery who's gone bad since the car was new. The car has not been used much since last summer because of the winter. Maybe 300 km over the last 6 months. But I have charged both batteries 3 - 4 times. I'm not sure if the Roadside Assistance work the same way here in Norway. I will check it out tomorrow. The battery retails for prox. $ 450 at my local MB dealer 
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Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 23
Likes: 2
From: Malta. E.U.
2015 mercedes E63 AMG, 2002 Rolls Royce LOL, 1997 Mercedes 300 TD
On the SL when the starter battery will not turn you do not need jumping leads just turn the ignition key to on position for a few seconds than turn to engage the starter and it will work.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 334
Likes: 3
From: Norway
2020 AMG C63S Coupe, Kawasaki ZX10R
Is that some kind of emergency procedure using the consumer battery if the starter battery goes flat?
