battery problem on w210
 

Woke up yesterday and the car ('00 E320) was dead, just barely clicked one time. Mercedes road service came, he hooked up his little charger (the little one they carry around) and it started on the first try no problem...got to the office, started fine in the evening when I went home....

This am? Well, it started but it was weak:( . Could the battery have just reached its end ? I don' think it would be an alternator problem....

ALso, how do you access the battery under the rear seat?

thanks

I don't see why a two-year old battery would be giving you trouble unless it has become discharged a couple of times (it sounds from your message like this is the first time you ever haver battery trouble).

I would definitelly have the alternator checked.

To answer your question on the location of your battery:
The battery is underneath the rear seat. The rear seat cushion must be removed by unlatching two small levers (at either side of the rear seat / must stick your hand under the seats' corners). The seat cushion is then pulled up and forward. The battery should be under the right rear seat.

ONce again, I don't think it is the battery. I have a 1999 E-320 and the original battery is still going strong (knock on wood!!!)

Good luck; let us know how it goes.
yamil:cool:

Thanks Yamil. I see you are in Miami... Any good service shop other than Bill Ussery :( I could go to. There is a big shop on NW 7 st and 57 ave, but don't know much about them

I was actually looking for a shop myself. I just got the E320 (never owned a Mercedes before) and was looking for someone reputable to take it to.
If you do end up taking it to the shop on 7st and 57ave, let me know how they perform.

yamil.

Took the battery out at lunch and took it to get tested...it was bad ..guess I am happy it was only that..... Piece of cake to take it out, thanks for the info.....

Glad it worked out!!! Where did you finally take it to get tested??

yamil

Autozone.... I was not about to pay $150 for a "Mercedes" battery at Bill Ussery. I paid $65 for it;)

Make sure you connect the vent hose that vents the battery gasses outside . Some batteries have exploded without the vent connected.

If the car is still under warranty, you could have gotten an MB battery for free! Are you over 50,000 miles?

Gilly

THanks Gilly, but I am at 61K miles, and the dealer said they would pro rate it....so I asssumed I would still pay more . I DO hate having a non MERCEDES part on my car though, but heck its under the rear seat, no one knows :D

Remember the Hindenburg!
 

Car batteries will produce explosive ( and corrosive and unpleasant smelling) gas. Even maintenance free batteries DO vent HYDROGEN GAS. You need a Gel tyle battery or a battery specifically designed to allow for a vent tube to the outside of the car! I'd exchange it - they should let you do so if you approach the problem from a SAFETY standpoint. They should know better that to sell a regular battery for a car with an internal battery!

This optima post is helpful.
-Tom

You should also be careful with some cheaper batteries that may leak acid. That will be a big problem since the battery is inside the car. I would pay extra for the MB battery for the peace of mind...