Battery won't turn over the engine - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

patbianchi · #1 06-12-2007, 05:00 PM

All at once the battery on my 500 SL decided it couldn't turn over the engine?? Lights come on but turn the key all dark and resumes to lights on when I go off starter switch. Contacts on the battery are clean...Is the battery just done? How long do they last in California weather?

tecqboy · #2 06-12-2007, 10:07 PM

The battery may be OK. These vehicles have a reputation for draining the battery when you aren't looking. Sometimes the switch for the truck light goes bad and the light stays on and drains the battery, you just don't see it in there. Also, the motor on the radio antenna has been known to run contiuously, but you can usually hear it. The locking vacuum pump has been known to run often if there is a leak in the system. Best way to know if the battery is bad is to have it tested with a load meter. Any store which sells auto batteries will have one, but be sceptical, they sell batteries for a living. In my experience a quality battery should last 5 to 6 years an any climate.

patbianchi · #3 06-13-2007, 11:06 AM

Got a new battery in it. Tried to start it starter engages but engine won't turn over...did it often enough that smoke came up by the starter motor...not good. Can't imagine the engine seized any clues our there can the starter motor get jammed in the flywheel or the starter motor jam??

5280BENZ · #4 06-13-2007, 11:35 AM

My friend had a similar problem. It turned out to be a seized bearing in the alternator that prevented the engine from turning over. Can you loosen or remove the belt and try a restart?

patbianchi · #5 06-13-2007, 01:03 PM

I never herd of that but I am sure it happens? Just got AAA to put it on the flat bed and sent it to my MB mechanic?? I will let you know.

Thanks

patbianchi · #6 06-13-2007, 06:30 PM

So far no answer, engine is locked up. Pulling the valve covers off? the saga continues.

waybomb · #7 06-13-2007, 08:43 PM

It ran fine until you turned it off?

If so, I find it hard to believe the engine is locked up. Don't get taken to the cleaners!

Pull the starter off, pull the belt off, pull the plugs, and turn the crank pulley.

patbianchi · #8 06-14-2007, 01:37 PM

Very strange, yes it ran perfect...they did do all the tests. Took the valve covers off timing chains are OK. Now we need to pull the heads and probably the oil pan see what is going on?? Something must have come loose or broke while engine ran and once the engine got turned of something must have rattled into the wrong place.

PS: My mechanic is a friend and he usually charges me bone pricing so I am OK on that end Thank God!!

patbianchi · #9 06-14-2007, 01:45 PM

Nice Boat...that thing must suck alota fuel...

How fast?

Quote:

Originally Posted by waybomb

It ran fine until you turned it off?

If so, I find it hard to believe the engine is locked up. Don't get taken to the cleaners!

Pull the starter off, pull the belt off, pull the plugs, and turn the crank pulley.

waybomb · #10 06-14-2007, 10:20 PM

Over 100.

I wouldn't pull the heads. A lot of work. If the chain seems fine and nothing looks bent under there, I'd look elsewhere.

Pull the pan and look inside. I still believe it's not the engine locked up.

Did it make any noises before the last time you shut it off? Any idiot lights on?

Did you pull the starter out, the plugs out, remove the belt, and try rotating the engine back and forth?

patbianchi · #11 06-15-2007, 12:11 PM

The plastic guide rail broke just as I shut off the engine and the plastic chunk fell into the gears, good news if any nothing got bent since the engine wasn't running.

New timing chain, rails, injector tubes and she will be like new. The pistons, cylinders, valves look amazing at 160 K. I did see a clip on you tube and that's what happened. See video> http://youtube.com/watch?v=09vUJTYYTFQ