Battery Install ? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Philip Justice · #1 05-08-2010, 07:33 PM

Phil Here, My Battery in my trunk went dead. Can I replace It my self ?

Is there a special way to disconnect - connect cables ? I don't want to

screw up any Codes or mess up the electrical system. With most cars, all

you have to do is hook up the cables, I don't know if it the same way with

Mercedes. Please recommend.

Sweet 1992 500 SL. Phil Justice

SunGuy · #2 05-08-2010, 09:45 PM

Phil,
Changing a battery on a Mercedes is pretty straight forward, however, if you do a search on 'battery' on this forum and others, there are some horror stories.

I had my indy do mine when it was in for other services and his test proved out that the battery was near the end of it's life. Had I not had the car there, I probably would have called MBUSA, 1-800-For-MERC, and ask them to dispatch Roadside Assistance to wherever you are. The closest dealer brings you a new battery, installs it, disposes of the old one, and resets your radio w/the code, re-synchs the windows, top, or anything else that may need attention. The last time I looked the fee for this is basically the cost of the MB branded battery; $100-$125. You can ask MBUSA if you call them.

It's also not a bad idea, if you haven't doneso already, to 'register' your car at the www.mbusa.com site.

One thing I wouldn't do is trust the kid at AutoZone or Wally World to change out one of these batteries. But if you want to DIY read up on the steps in alldatadiy.com for the specifics on your model year.

Bob

RadioTek · #3 05-09-2010, 01:55 PM

If your battery is completely dead, you're already screwed (technical term) as to your settings.

But if you still have some juice in it, there are small units that you can plug into the cigarette lighter socket that have a battery to provide enough voltage to keep the radio settings. If it will work for your car.

Just be careful lifting that battery, it's heavy. I saw a parts monkey at a Checker darn near kiss the top of one when he tried to pick it up. His upper body moved, the battery didn't. I was able to hold the laughter until I got outside.

Philip Justice · #4 05-09-2010, 01:59 PM

Phil Here, Thanks Sun Guy for the info. I called MB Road side assist. they wanted 377.00 to come out and replace my Battery. I told them no thank you. Then I priced a Interstate battery and when I told them it was for my SL the quoted 378.00 for just the battery. What gives??
The Battery in the trunk of my SL looks no different than any other " Long " Car battery??? again, What gives, I hate to be taken just because I drive a 500 SL. Any other suggestions?

1992 Sweet 500 SL Phil Justice

tecqboy · #5 05-09-2010, 04:59 PM

Sears has a good battery for about $120. I got mine there. I like their warrenty. In a 1992, the only thing that should need a reset is the radio ( if it's still the original Becker) and of course the clock. I had no trouble with the top controller when I changed my battery, but it's a good idea to be familiar with the reset process just in case. While you are in there, check for corrosion under the insulation of the heavy red cables. Also have a look at the ground strap bolt at the frame. If you end up doing the work yourself, get some of those anti corrosion fiber washers and also put a lite coat of grease on the terminal after they are connected.

SunGuy · #6 05-09-2010, 05:43 PM

$377 for an MB Branded battery even if delivered and installed is outrageous. Sorry I led you down the wrong path.

For grins, I checked the Interstate Battery website, http://www.interstatebatteries.com/cs_estore/

and using their product finder for your car (application only goes back to '94), V8/5.0Ltr, their system came up with

Click here: Mercedes Benz SL Series 1994 V8/5.0L Automotive / Truck Products

List $163
Av. Retail $136

MTP-93
Mega-Tron Plus - 85 Months - 850 CCA

Double check the spec for your car, but this is about the price I paid for my Interstate. Good Hunting

Bob

compress ignite · #7 05-09-2010, 06:32 PM

They are crooks!

'Can you name the Town,so If I'm ever stuck on Fla's
East Coast I don't have to Abandon the Car on the
Roadside.

[Always must remember,Each individual Franchisee is
a separate corporation who set their own prices.]

The local Dealer here is a Presidential Pardon (GWB) Recipient
[Federal Felony Involved some kind of Automotive Loan Scam IN FLORIDA]
[Think of the Millions of Dollars donated to the local Republican Congressman
and the RNC to affect that Pardon !!!]
Their prices have always been ridiculous.
AND we'll buy NOTHING there !
(Feel like we're being Blackmailed for the cost of the Pardon)
To top it all off,Mercedes and BMW transferred the Franchise from Father to Son ,
While the Son was still a Convicted Federal Felon,And both manufacturers knew of the Felony Conviction!

(Oh! Yeah,If you're South of the Savannah River [South Carolina / Georgia Border]...
BUT not yet to the St.Mary's River [Georgia / Florida Border]...
YOUR Pocketbook/Wallet IS IN THE DANGER ZONE !!! )

You'll all love this...
If you were to breakdown in say Savannah,Darien,Brunswick or St. Mary's,
it would be cheaper to have the Mercedes Flat-Bedded to Brumos in Jacksonville.

Call another Dealer in your area! (They're NOT ALL Crooks!)

Philip Justice · #8 05-09-2010, 07:55 PM

Phil Here,, Thanks Sun Guy, Techboy and Compress Ignite. I am going to Install the Interstate MTP-93 Battery because it is the same battery that is in my trunk and went dead, Maybe I have some warranty left on the old one?

I am going to swap batteries by using another 12volt to swap the cables and not loose the connection, I really not into the Code stuff. Everybody! Please stay away from Mercedes Benz of Melbourne, Florida. [Brevard county]

1992 Sweet 500 SL Phil Justice

kknudson · #9 05-09-2010, 10:13 PM

Without getting into the specifics etc. of this situation / location.

A while back I had MB "Roadside Assistance" replace the battery in my SL, cost was 140 ish, basically the cost of a battery.
I was 40+ miles away from home, with my car in a parking lot.

A service call might be priced differently.

sokoloff · #10 05-10-2010, 02:08 PM

A year ago Roadside did the battery in my 560SL - cost MSRP of $135 plus tax.

Philip Justice · #11 05-10-2010, 04:22 PM

Phil Here, Well I went to Interstate to have my Battery Installed, 136.00 + Tax. OTD my old battery was nine years old. Interstate plugged something into my Cig.lighter to preserve the codes while disconnecting. Total job took 15 minutes.

Now I think I know how the situation came to be with MB-RSA wanting to charge 377.00 for a new battery and install, Interstate looked in there book and came up with a price at first of 377.00 quoting a battery for a " SL 500 " Model. Maybe the guy from MB-RSA looked in the same book even after I gave him my Vin number and told him that I Have a500 SL. The battery for a 2003 SL 500 is 377.00 The 500 SL battery is 136.00.
[Nice try MB-RSA] service guy!!!!!!!! }

I was thinking that this was MB-RSA's Sunday, Mothers day and Overtime pricing.
Thanks again everybody..............

1992 Sweet 500 SL Phil Justice

jdonnee · #12 05-11-2010, 07:14 PM

I replaced my battery in my 96 SL500 from NAPA for $120.00 three years ago. No way near $300.00.