Interstate battery fitment problem in '95 E420 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

DuckMuck · #1 04-08-2003, 03:48 AM

I bought a new Interstate battery to replace my OE battery by accident...but seein' that my OE battery is now almost 4 years old, I guess it is probably nearing the end of its life, so I am gonna make the swap anyway...I bought an Interstate Mega-Tron Plus MTP-93 battery for my '95 E420...when I tried to install the battery, I found that the battery is actually slightly lower than the OE battery...this wouldn't be a problem, but I also found that the positive terminal only has enough slack to reach the positive terminal of the OE battery...and not enough slack to reach the battery if it is sitting lower...anybody have any good suggestions as to how to raise the height of the battery by around half an inch? Do they sell some special height adapter for this battery to fit in V8 W124's? Thank you...

Kestas · #2 04-08-2003, 08:59 AM

I have bought batteries with adapters. The adapters were spacers that clipped on to the bottom of the battery. See if the battery dealer has one. Perhaps a piece of 1/2" wood can shim the battery up. That is, if the bottom holddown would still work.

After going through a few replacement battery fitment problems, I've since paid careful attention to the size of the replacement battery. This is also because I understand that one should buy the largest battery that can fit in the tray. A battery larger than original should last considerably longer than the original battery.

DuckMuck · #3 04-08-2003, 11:10 AM

I called Interstate, and asked if ANY height adapter was ever made for the MTP-93...he checked and said no...which is odd...'cause a height problem is definitely there

Richard Eldridge · #4 04-08-2003, 01:03 PM

Why not install a quick-disconnect switch? That should give you an extra inch or so.

I have one on every car I own. It will allow you to stop an electrical fire quite rapidly, and costs only around $12.00

DuckMuck · #5 04-08-2003, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Richard Eldridge
Why not install a quick-disconnect switch? That should give you an extra inch or so.

I have one on every car I own. It will allow you to stop an electrical fire quite rapidly, and costs only around $12.00

nice call...will look into it....

I actually got a piece of plywood...about 3/4" thick...used a saw...cut it to the battery size...and put it under the battery...works great...not an elegant solution though...but I guess decent...

Richard Eldridge · #6 04-08-2003, 06:54 PM

This is a ducky solution. There is less chance that your battery will leak acid and corrode anything. The battery sits up high where it should be, but has a sort of wooden diaper to prevent it from misbehaving.

It's as elegant as a solution could be.

Battery quick release gizmos have a plastic knob (mine has a green knob) and you can disconnect the battery without a tool.

There is another type that has a knife switch.

Remember that your MBZ radio will not work if you disconnect the battery unless you punch in the code. I am sure you are aware of this.

Kestas · #7 04-08-2003, 07:41 PM

While you're at it, check the battery tray. I haven't had a car yet where the battery tray didn't corrode (except for plastic trays). Some even disintegrated to nothing from the battery acid.

I always sandblast the trays to remove corrosion and coat with a rubberized coating (same as the dip coat they sell for tool handles) to prevent further rot.

DuckMuck · #8 04-08-2003, 09:54 PM

When I removed the battery from the tray, the tray looked new...I actually didn't see any corrosion...the OE battery which I replaced also looked brand new...other than a bit of dust, there was no corrosion or anything...I am quite impressed...I hope the Interstate battery will perform better, or at least the same as the OE battery...

What was odd was that my car was bought brand new August of 1995, and the battery was changed March of 1999. The battery was changed because the battery light on the dash came on...now, it has been four years since the last battery change...I actually bought the Interstate by accident, because I thought my battery was dead...but instead, the problem was with the starter (gone at 46,700km...what a joke...nice engineering Mercedes)...should I just keep the Interstate, and recycle the old OE battery? My friend brought me over to a shop with my original OE batter and used this digital tester on it, it was still crankin' out about 850CCA...still runnin' strong...did I replace it a little too prematurely?

DuckMuck · #9 04-09-2003, 02:23 AM

I am noticing more problems with the battery fitment...taking into account of some of the workarounds suggested, I went to the local autoparts store and found the battery quick disconnect that was suggested...this will not work...although it extends the cable longer, it does not compensate for the 3/4" height difference between the Interstate and the OE battery...the extension is not flexible...it is a solid piece...it actually makes the problem worse...

Second, with the plywood in place, I notice that the plate that locks down the foot of the battery to the bottom of the well can no longer be secured properly...basically, the plywood, although bringing the battery to perfect height so that the terminal slips right in, makes the feet higher...and the plate was designed so that the side that is secured down to the well by the nut is sitting flush with the bottom...with the feet higher by 3/4"...that is no longer possible...and the nut is not secured very well anymore...so the battery has a tendency to move around...even just pushing on it with my hand...it is not secure...and I am afraid sudden braking, cornering, etc. would cause the battery to move or maybe become dislodged...and the terminals on the battery be strained...in the event of an accident...it would be even worse...

I simply cannot find a solution...the shop I bought the battery from said NO RETURN...which is ridiculous...I researched on Interstate and found that THIS battery WAS the one for the 1995 E420, and it seems for every Mercedes-Benz...I called into Interstate to double check...does nobody with this battery notice a problem with fitment?!?!? I don't understand their policy for no return...I mean, they designed a battery for a car, it doesn't fit...why don't I have the right to return it? I mean, it is not as if I was tryin' to fit an Optima battery that is not recommended into my car...I am not tryin' to do anything fancy...I am just lookin' for an OE battery for my car...which Interstate says WILL fit...ugh...

Richard Eldridge · #10 04-09-2003, 10:31 AM

It apears that you are a victim of both Mercedes and Interstate Battery. Mercedes should have given you an extra inch of cable, and Interstate ought to take the fool thing back if it won't fit.

This may be evidence that the dolt who designed the 82 Buick Regal I once owned with the rear windows that won't roll down, or the razor-sharp electric window fittings in same is still alive and annoying innocent motorists.

I have an Interstate battery in each of my cars (the 123 and the 124), and although there is just barely enough cable to make the battery (with disconnect) fit, it does fit.

I observe that in the 123 (300TD) there is some sort of fuse that was screwed to the body whose leads have been cut. Perhaps this was to make the battery fit. I am assuming that since everything works, this item has been re-fused.

It would appear that you could either make a very short cable (perhaps a trip to a junkyard would make this cheaper) or perhaps epoxy the plywood to the base of the battery with JB weld or some other brand, and worry about how to unglue it later, or just toss it when its time comes. If the plywood will stick under the battery holders, this should work.

Also, they sell battery holddowns that might work. You would have to drill a couple of holes in the body, but in some manner you could hook, bolt or screw the battery down. Perhaps this could be a job for Mr Bungie, or Mrs Bungie as well. I have been known to successfully hold down a bouncing battery with a bungie in a lesser vehicle.

Since you have two batteries, here is a thought, perhaps a dangerus thought, so I am hereby disclaiming all blame. You have two betteries: one fits, and a newer one that doesn't. A battery that is not in use will die unless you put a trickle charge on it, and even then, the acid will slowly degrade the plates. One way that the acid cannot harm the plates is to remove it from the battery and store it elsewhere (the thickest plastic you can find, or glass that you can put where it cannot be broken).

You probably won't be able to remove all the acid, but you can probably collect most of it in a sturdty plastic paint roller tray and then pour it into a suitable container in with a plastic lid or perhaps a plastic cover and a metal lid. Then you can rinse ot the battery and perhaps dry it out by letting it sit in the sun or use a hairdryer on it., and store it away as well.

When the first battery has sparked its last, then you simply refill the newer battery with the acid, and you have a new battery. Charge it up and you're good to go. Be REALLY CAREFUL when mixing acid and water. There are rules about which you can add to which and avoid an explosion and subsequent maiming you can look up. If you need more acid, they sell it in auto parts stores, or used to. I am assuming they still do.

Basttery acid likes to eat holes in things. Wear the clothes you hate they gave you three Christmases ago: the polo shirt without the pockets, or perhaps a leisure suit or disco finery.

Good luck.

stevebfl · #11 04-09-2003, 10:55 AM

I've never seen this problem before and we use Interstate. An alternative is the MB88 battery. They ought to let you try it. If not I have a picture of creative battery connection 101:

This may only work on BMWs though.

-fad · #12 04-09-2003, 03:58 PM

I have just placed an Optima (redtop) battery into my '92 W124 300E- - no fittment problems whatsoever.

Factory hold down= perfect
Fits into factory metal tray and occupies about 75% of the tray.
Positive and Negative leads and cables perfect length- no unnecessary sloppy slack in the cables
Male terminals fit into female cables perfectly.

Believe it or not, I have factory originale 1994 MB battery in 124.036 (42.9k)

In my E320 Coupe (109k), the original MB battery was replaced 2 years ago with a Sears International Gold, It too fitted perfectly.

best regards
-fad

DuckMuck · #13 04-09-2003, 09:44 PM

The W124 E420 battery is in the trunk...on the passenger side...I believe the W124 E320 uses a different battery than the E420/E500...if I am not mistaken, since the E320's battery is under the hood...

Anyhow, I drove all the way out to Langley and took the battery to the Interstate distributor...they height difference is there...and they checked the slack in my positive terminal...can't fit...so they will give me a refund (hopefully)...they still have to talk with the guy in charge...

mbshop · #14 04-10-2003, 12:22 AM

that battery is an alternate. use an mb88 or mb66 and it will fit.
also for those that need to use an interstate under the rear seat
interstate makes a kit so you can install a breather hose on the battery like the original.

DuckMuck · #15 04-10-2003, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mbshop
that battery is an alternate. use an mb88 or mb66 and it will fit.
also for those that need to use an interstate under the rear seat
interstate makes a kit so you can install a breather hose on the battery like the original.

On the website, it seems the MB88 has the same dimension as the MTP-93...anyhow, I have given up on installing any Interstate battery into the E420...I think I will just stick with OE...although I do love Interstate and their warrranty...I have their batteries in my other cars...thanx for all the help...