ELectrical problem?
 

Hi all

I have a 98 E-320. This morning my wife drove it so when she got home she'd adjust the seat position to 1 (my seat position). While she was holding the seat memory button, she'd turn off the engine. According to what she told me, the car interior lights, door lights all got shut off immediately so the seat position is still somewhere in between positition 1 and 2. She tried to crank the engine but only can hear a click.

I came home later and check the battery as it's 12.4v, there was not enough juice to start it. I tried jump start it, I also tried to recharge the battery with the other car for about 10 min. and then jump start again, still just a click.
I tried to check all the fuses (back seat, front seat, engine) for a blown starting/or electrical stablizing fuse but couldn't find one.

So what could be the problem here? Have anyone experience this before? Could it be the starter? What could be mess up as my wife was moving the seat and turn off the engine at the same time?

Thanks in advance
JeffreyP

12.4 is good voltage, but not a test of capacity. A quick test is to turn on the headlights, if they are bright and do not dim after several minutes the battery may be good.

Since the seat stopped immediately, and the lights went off, I suspect either a bad battery (no capacity left, but reads 12.4V like a capacitor) or a problem with the battery cables.

Do the headlight test, and if they come on bright, have a look at the cables.

Best Regards,
Jim

Thanks for the help. The battery is bad as it failed the load test. I got a new one and it cranks right up. I guess my other car battery (Mazda 626) just doesn't have enough juice to start it.

Regards,
JeffreyP

Glad I could help. :D