W211 AMG Discuss the W211 AMG's such as the E55 and the E63

Newly Replaced Battery Draining...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Jan 8, 2011 | 01:12 AM
  #1  
leetski's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Bicycle
Newly Replaced Battery Draining...

As you can gleam from the title of the thread, I recently replaced a 6yr old battery with an OEM one because I found out I had to jump start the car way too often after it had been sitting in the garage for <1 week. While this was my first act to mend off "battery drainage symptoms" it would prove that it won't be my last... Namely, the new battery has suffered a similar fate - it keeps draining in between relatively short durations of not starting the car.
Suffice to say, this new found realization provoked me to further investigate what the culprit could be after ruling out the battery (?)... It is at this point, that I turn to you for advice? How would I (no warranty) diagnose why the battery on my 2003 CL55 is draining so frequently? Has anyone experiences similar problems?

I did recently notice my passenger side head rest tilting upwards as if it had a brain of its own. I'm thinking of checking the individual relays? Would anyone have a relay diagram I could reference while tinkering about?
Reply
Old Jan 8, 2011 | 04:25 PM
  #2  
anhnguyen310's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
03 MBZ E55 AMG
Have you checked to see if the alternator is bad or is going bad? I had the same problems but then found out it was my alternator that went out. wasted 88 on a new battery and the problem was still present. Finally just took it in and had the alternator rebuilt for 130, no problems after that
Reply
Old Jan 8, 2011 | 04:34 PM
  #3  
shooter's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: Far Northern Chicago 'burbs
2011 Ford Raptor, 2003 FX35, 2008 E63 AMG (Gone but not forgotten)
The old trick is start the car and disconnect the battery. It should run fine, even with a stiff load on it (rear defroster, heated seats, stereo). But if it dies the alternator is going. You can take it to a auto parts store to have it tested. Many places do that.
Reply
Old Jan 8, 2011 | 04:53 PM
  #4  
lightningfast7's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
2005 E55
Originally Posted by shooter
The old trick is start the car and disconnect the battery. It should run fine, even with a stiff load on it (rear defroster, heated seats, stereo). But if it dies the alternator is going. You can take it to a auto parts store to have it tested. Many places do that.
That's why it's an "old trick"... you try that on a modern vehicle and you might end up frying the voltage regulator in the alternator.. ESPECIALLY on an electronic vehicle such as a MB. I would seriously suggest you disregard this advice.
Reply
Old Jan 9, 2011 | 03:10 PM
  #5  
izzyz28's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 552
Likes: 11
From: Chicago suburbs
2004 E55 AMG
Assuming the CLS also has a small battery for the brakes like the W211, replace that battery ASAP. Mine was junk, which was causing it to pull power from the rear battery, destroying it twice.
Reply
Old Jan 9, 2011 | 03:18 PM
  #6  
sunil517's Avatar
Super Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 746
Likes: 48
From: Queens,NYC
2014 E63s 1993 mazda rx7 on Boost
the cluster has a Volt reading look at it and see

if it is holding load when you turn on lights,seats and fan... if the volt drop with the car running the alt might be on its way out...

with the car off the volt should be 12-13 car running 14 or so ....
Do not disconnect the battery and run the car....

Also if you have a OBDII scan tool some of the unit give you volts reading output also...but its built in to the e63 not sure on E55..
Reply
Old Jan 10, 2011 | 11:09 PM
  #7  
lightningfast7's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
2005 E55
Originally Posted by sunil517
if it is holding load when you turn on lights,seats and fan... if the volt drop with the car running the alt might be on its way out...

with the car off the volt should be 12-13 car running 14 or so ....
Do not disconnect the battery and run the car....

Also if you have a OBDII scan tool some of the unit give you volts reading output also...but its built in to the e63 not sure on E55..
You can even get the volts in the instrument cluster. I think its key in Pos 1 then the little reset button three times fast.
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2011 | 08:13 PM
  #8  
03'55AMG's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,127
Likes: 4
From: Chicagoland
AMG
^^^ correct, put in in position 1 then press the reset 3 times fast then there should be something like UB:12.x volts (off) and UB:14.x (running)
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 17, 2011 | 09:55 PM
  #9  
izzyz28's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 552
Likes: 11
From: Chicago suburbs
2004 E55 AMG
Originally Posted by 03'55AMG
^^^ correct, put in in position 1 then press the reset 3 times fast then there should be something like UB:12.x volts (off) and UB:14.x (running)

Correct. However, if it is cold outside don't be surprised if it reads something like 11.7V, especially if you turn the key to position 2. Also, be aware that the voltage displayed is actually .2V less than the actual voltage at the battery. I don't know why, but that's how it reads, especially when the engine isn't running.
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:43 PM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE