W124 Battery Discharging - ideas?
 

Hi all.. I have checked the previous history of the forum and not yet got very far with this one...

I have a W124'95 E320 Wagon, and it's (new!) battery is discharging over a 48 period.

No warning lights when starting/driving informing me of battery "non-charge" situation...

Sooo... where do I start to look? Has anyone else had this and fixed it before?

I'm not "real" mechanic, but I *do* have the W124 CD's and I *Will* do the work ...When I can! ;-)

thanks in advance!

>Joe

How old is the battery first and foremost.

2nd..

Check any door and or trunk pin switches as they can fail and sometimes allow the battery to drain by leaving an interior light on.

Most times its the trunk one and thats why people can't find it. Can't tell the trunk light is on when the trunk is closed.

I hope that helps you get started on tracking down this problem. A Dying battery can be annoying.

Have you had the charging system checked?

Alon

Thanks for the reply...

Sorry, the battery is less than 6 months old.

No interior lights are on when locking up, as it's a wagon, it's pretty easy to see this...

I was hoping to hear from the group if there were any more things I could do to check the charging system before I go to my mech.

Any more ideas folks?

Thanks in advance

Just went through this with our Toyota. The tech checked for a short (nope), a good ground wire from the battery (good), and the regulator and alternator (BAD DIODE in alternator). Replaced the alternator. He said a battery, even if new, can be damaged by a full discharge, and to see how it worked out over the next week or so, as it may need replacing as well. Good luck!

I Know How You Feel
 

Brother of the Benz,joeywarren

Hello,

Question, Does this car have a power antenna?

I had a BMW who's antenna motor didn't shut off completely, contacts didn't open all the way when the antenna was in the down position.

No sound of the motor running or anything.

This happened to me twice in about 5 years.

Put your hand on the antenna motor it maybe hot.

Good luck

All - thanks for the help.

Sorry for the delay in getting back, I have been away at a concert! I even used the car to get there - a bit of a risk.. buuut - whilst there, I solved the problem.

A dodgy earth wire in the trunk from the CD changer to the earth point had fried - looks like I used the wrong guage wire... and hence was discharging the battery by a "slow cooking" method... lucky it didn't cause a fire...


It has got me thinking about other potential (pre-me!) DIY bodges that I may need to check out upon your advice... power antennas, fuses (locating power problems with a meter.. I have one.. yes).. I think I will do the "full monty" and ensure we all safe in there.

Thanks again 92400E, tkamiya, dlswnfrd (brother of the Benz??) - cheers & if you have any other W124 wagon general advice - let's hear it!

CHeers

>Joe