is it difficult to change a MB battery...
 

on a '97 C280? the reason i ask is because i took a quick look and saw some wires or coils coming out of the side of it and wondered where the were coming from? just wondered if it took a lot of know how to replace? it doesn't look as easy as my '89 corolla, where the battery replacement is just "plug and play".

It's just the same... only about 3x as heavy!! The clear tube you may see coming out from the battery (simply pulls out?) is for drainage of some sort.

It's just as simple as changing a battery. Good luck!

Don't know if you practiced "safe" battery procedures with the Corolla, but with the sophisticated (and expensive) electronics in your '97, make sure you disconnect the positive lead FIRST, then ground (or negative). Do the opposite when installing.

If you have the OEM stereo in your car, check your operation manual for the security code first. Your radio will prompt you for the code when you power it up after changing the battery...would be sad if you didn't have the code...:(

Hi jamesp The clear tube attached to the side of your battery is a vent line! Make sure it's re-installed properly following installation of your new battery. There's a grommet that the tube passes thru to vent the gasses to the outside of the vehicle. This could be easily overlooked. Just pull the white plastic elbow fitting out of the side of the battery and lay it aside. Re-insert it into the new battery and make sure the tube goes thru the grommet so that all gasses are vented to the outside of the vehicle. You may lose the memory settings for the power seats in addition to having to re-code the radio.

Just dont put it in backwards. One of my friends clients put her battery in backwards in her E420 and it fried 3k of electronics.

BTW, that clear plastic tube vent line is for any hydrogen gas given off by the battery. Hydrogen gas can apparently be given off by an overcharging battery or one that gets too hot. The tube MUST be installed correctly, or there is a fire/explosion hazard. MB has a recall campaign for 1998 C class (w202) cars because some came from the factory with the line improperly installed. Hydrogen gas built up on several cars, apparently, and there were fires. So check the tube position carefully and reinstall the same way.

call mercedes roadside service
 

my car battery died last week. i called the part department and asked for the price of a replacement. They told me that mercedes roadside service can come out and install the new battery without charging any labor cost. I only paid the price of the battery. I called 1800 FORMERC. Got my new battery installed on that same day.

you all have been a tremendous help!
 

thank you very much.

I'll vouch for that!!!:rolleyes:

I don't have a vent line on the W124, but about a year ago, a failed voltage regulator caused my alternator to overcharge (measured 17.5 volts at the terminals!!), and I could see (and smell) the vapors being emitted from the battery!!! Pretty noxious too!

my take on removal
 

disconnect negative lead first. doing as suggested above may result in your making contact with wrench to something grounded. positive terminal to ground -- you do not want that.

Mea culpa! I knew that for the reason you stated! Sometimes I don't even take my own advice! :rolleyes:

Question, How much does a replacement battery cost from Mercedes?