kemzo

Rudeney

Not to throw a wrench into things here, but I run my SDS on a Dell D630 that has 8gb of ram, Window 8.1 and a 256GB SSD. It then runs under VMWare using Windows XP as its O/S. It's very fast. In fact, the laptop in general is as fast as any mid range modern laptop.

I also run a copy of it under VMWare on my Lenovo Core i5 Windows 10 laptop just to access WIS, EPC and other technical resources while on the forums. My advice, once you get the setup, make a copy of that VMDK file somewhere in case you "hose" it on the laptop.

Back to your battery warning issue...my car does this every now and again. What I have discovered is that there is sometimes a delay as to when voltage comes up after starting the engine. I don't know if this is the voltage regulator or the BCM at fault. I have a plug-in cigarette lighter voltmeter that I use sometimes and will see it hanging around 11.9v until about 30-45 seconds after starting, then it jumps up tot 14v. Sometimes it take more like a minute to jump to 14v, and that's when I get the battery icon. But it goes away on restart. And this only happens maybe once every few months.

alk247

Could that be a belt slipping?

Rudeney

Not on mine - I'd hear it. I think it might be the aftermarket alternator I have. I really need to get an OE voltage regulator and put the OE alternator back on the car...someday.

BrianA.

I had the Battery red warning appear on my dash after I charged both of my batteries. It turns out you must connect the main battery (under the hood) first before you connect the accessory battery. If you don't do it in that order, you will have that and several other problems. Any time you disconnect the accessory battery, make sure, as soon as you start the engine, you turn the steering wheel all the way to the left, then all the way to the right, and roll down all four windows, then roll them up again. (and you also have to reset the clock)

Brian A.

kemzo

How did the warning went away?
Mine is still displayed, everything is working as they should, I can leave the car for a week and it will start with one press of the button. I did not disconnect any battery, all I did was connect two trickle chargers to both batteries at the same time, but the rear battery was beyond salvage, as soon as I unplugged the trickle chargers, then the light came on. And the light is different, it doesn’t have the “visit workshop” like others have.

BrianA.

Mercedes says that the batteries should be disconnected before charging them. Try disconnecting the accessory battery, then the main battery.
! Always connect the batteries in the order described below. Otherwise the vehicle’s electronics can be damaged.
�� Turn off all electrical items, heater, radio, lights etc. Connect the main battery, then connect the accessory battery. Not doing this had me running in circles for a while, and it took a couple of tries for the red Battery warning to go away. This assumes that both batteries are in good condition.​​​​​​​Brian A.

kemzo

Yeah, a trickle charging is meant to be used when the battery is connected to the car, it is used to maintain the battery’s charged state, I can confirm that both of my batteries are brand new, less than 2 months, but I’ve already had the red warning when I changed them. Unless I can unplug both and do it over

BrianA.

Yeah, I'd try for the do over, disconnect then reconnect it the proper order. It fixed it for me.
I'm wondering if charging the accessory battery before when it was connected is a reason I keep getting the "accessories not available" warning now, maybe it burned something out. I use trickle chargers on my motorcycles all the time (both have solid state batteries) but a charger is a lot more juice. Did you ever try to charge your batteries?

Brian A.

kemzo

Have you checked fuse 71?

BrianA.

I check fuse 71, it was good. However, the slot for fuse 72 was empty. The purpose of that fuse is listed as:
"Valid for code (424) Sequentronic automated manual transmission (SEQ):
Automated manual transmission control unit (N15/6)"I don't know if there never was a fuse there, it fell out or was taken out by a previous owner. I guess I should go buy a selection of spare fuses.Brian A.

Rudeney

You don't have a Sequentronic transmission, so no worries.

kemzo

It’s empty on mine too... It’s intentional.

BrianA.

I took my SL to the shop today, they tested the charging system and said its ok, but the battery is bad.
I thought "Heck with the cost, I'm going to replace it with a Mercedes Battery" I called the local dealer, they have none in stock and they are on a 2 month backorder.
crap.
I guess I'll research Mercedes battery alternates.

Brian A.

kemzo

Which of the two batteries are bad?
The alternates are Just as good... I got my Auxiliary battery at Autozone and my Starter battery at Advance Auto. I haven’t had any issues with them.

Rudeney

They last two genuine MBZ batteries I've had have lasted barely 3 years. I have been very happy with the Advance Auto batteries and have had several last longer than 4 years. I think the days of the good ol' MBZ batteries that lasted 7 years are long gone.

OctaviusPrime

I too used the Autozone AGM equivalent, had it in a year with no problems, I do use a trickle charger when parked, ALWAYS.

OP

BrianA.

Using a trickle charger would be a bit of a hassle for me. It's my daily driver and, for now, must be parked in my driveway. Another problem is I often work long hours several days in a row. I'll go to work before sunrise, go home ofter sunset and the drive is usually 10-15 minutes, not enough time to recharge the battery running the headlights and heater or AC running full blast. After a 12-16 hour day I'm too tired/lazy to want to deal with the trickle charger. I do use them on my motorcycle batteries, and they both have Lithium ones.
I just ordered an Optima Yellow Top H6 from Big Time Battery for $269. More expensive than the Autocraft but it has better specs and good reviews.

Brian A.

kemzo

I needed a trickle charger because I only drive the car on weekends, I think as long as the car is used on a daily basis, it should be good, I might be wrong but the car is being used.

kemzo

I have successfully cleared the Big Red Battery warning sign with.... iCarSoft MB II, just received it from amazon and cleared it in 5 minutes. I’m still getting Star Diagnostics but for now, I’m happy. I’ll be visiting the dealership tomorrow for an alignment, which is looking like only them can do it. They already suggested earlier that I probably have to replace a control unit for the battery 😀

kemzo

Went to the dealership this morning for an alignment, unfortunately it wasn’t successful, they said that they did all they could but I’ll have to do other repairs first. They suggested that I replace the Lower Control Arms, Bushings, Bolt kits + Ride height calibration: $3.050 plus TAX. Where can I buy these parts as a set?

kemzo

You were very right, iCarSoft cleared it and it’s been gone since... Thanks!

sgort2

BrianA. - what is the part number of the Optima battery that you installed? I did a search for an H6 but nothing came up.

sgort2

kemzo - do you have the brand & part number of the starter battery that you installed from Advance Auto?

BrianA.

Optima H6 9048-148 800CCA

I bought it from Big Time Battery for $269.99

https://www.bigtimebattery.com/store...edes-Benz.html


-BrianA.