I used this trick to test the starter with newly charged battery. First time, it was slow and hesitated but finally spun up. Did some other stuff and tried again. Now spinning freely. Same when I started car.

Wondering (hoping?) that starter was just sticking after having sat idle for 3 months. Have put everything back together, so time will tell!

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

Modern batteries do not seem to sit or store well in my experience. You want good usable long term lifespan keep them in constant service.

Or if that isn't practical, leave the battery on a small 2A trickle charger.

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Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

I leave our E320 on a small smart charger. Its a C-Tire knock-off of the Ctek type charger. It works well. Saves resetting radio. Probably the best way to store car batteries.

However, on our 300D and 350SL, I fully charge, then disconnect the negative battery lead. I do same on my boat batteries - two deep cycle plus starting battery. I just hooked those back up and checked them. Been doing that for years. The boat batteries are 9 years old and still seem good.

BTW just checked battery voltage after sitting hooked up to car for a day. No voltage drop. So no leakage current external or internal.

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

Since I spun the starter to loosen things up, I have had no trouble with battery. The starter must have been gummed up after sitting all winter (and a good part of last year while working on car).

Motor used to start almost before it turned over. Sounded like battery was low. Now it's free to spin, the starter sounds lively and does turn over for a second or two before the engine starts.

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5