GreazyDeigo

I replaced both batteries this past summer. I live in NJ, and it's just a little colder than usual this year (about 30F, drops to 10s overnight) but everyday my "Electric Consumers Offline" and I have to let the car run for about 10 minutes before I can use anything (heater, seats, etc). Anyone else have this issue or did I get a dud battery? Car is used everyday back and forth to work, about 30 min each way.

damian155

I live in NJ also. You shouldn't see that warning if you drive your car everyday. I usually see the warning after a few days with no driving at all. Your battery may or may not be the problem. It may be something drawing power when the car is off. An MB dealer can check that for you.

jobe

jep, something is burning your trunk battery.
i had the same problem - turned out it was middle console compartment light that was in some kind of short circuit. i pulled it out and problem solved.

oldstocks

Drive more, have fun.

jbenz99

Perform a parasitic draw test !!

GreazyDeigo

And you can tell me how to do that, right?

In the meantime, I connected a 1.5w solar cell the back battery, maybe that will help keep it charged. I've been told that 2003 models just have a bad design because the electrical systems continue to run for an hour after the car is turned off. Who knows? This thing infuriates me like no other vehicle I've ever owned.

LVDSB

I live in Jersey also, and I get the same Msg. if the car is not driven. Usually, after about 4 miles it goes off. I just now bought a CTEK-7200 battery charger that I am hooking up Sat. Will let you know what happens.

GreazyDeigo

LV please do let me know how it works! I picked up a solar cell 1.5w (the only one that would physically fit in the window) and hooked it up to the rear battery. As an experiment, we'll see if it helps at all.

LVDSB

hooked up the battery charger and the battery was completely dead. After a day and a half looks like all is well. Will keep you posted

oldstocks

The 03-06 SL also has a draw from the alarm battery (in alarm horn). I am not sure how great this Nicad battery works over time. I removed the horn without replacement. I also had the issue of the flashing fog lights (silent alarm warning for this battery) which was a bad battery killer.

Wolfman

Don't have any of these issues and it's much colder here in MN (today around 0 Fahrenheit ).
I have had the rear battery replaced a couple of years ago, but haven't seen these messages since.
The car used to be stored during winters, but I decided that it's silly to have the car stored for 5 months a year.
Now I use the car during the winter, but don't see that message even if not driven for a week or so. It's certainly not a temperature issue.

If that battery is only a year old perhaps have it tested and replaced for free. Next is to check for power draws, as suggested. Besides the suggestions, do you have any aftermarket equipment?
Radar detectors, amps, video? That could be the culprit

damian155

Curious its been almost a month later. Hows that C-tek 7200 working for you?

LVDSB

Well those of you in New Jersey know its' been pretty cold here. I installed the C-tek 7200 on rear battery about a month ago and I will tell you so far it is working fine and keeping the rear battery fully charged. No issue as of this writing.

mbslowner

Could you put the picture and which light that you pulled out?
Thanks.

GreazyDeigo

I'm still experiencing the same situation -- on the nights its in the 20s I get the "Electric Consumers Offline" message in the morning for about 10 minutes. On the nights its 40 or above the battery holds the charge during the night and no issues in the morning. Solar panel didn't help.