Battery- Stupid mistake, what did I fry? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

rhino · #1 09-13-2004, 01:31 PM

Monday morning, running late for work. Turn the key, nothing. It had done that a few weeks ago, I jumped it and it's run fine. Well, this time, with the car pulled front-first into the garage, jumping was not appealling.

I have a new battery in my Datsun, so pulled it out, and, after taking out battery rack, shoehorned it in, at an angle. Was planning on driving to work, ordering a battery, putting it in tomorrow.

Car started, but immediately had electronic issues. Sat radio died first, followed by all the guages. I shut the engine off asap, but it dieselled a minute or so, having not yet built up vacuum yet. As I got out of the car, saw and smelled a fair amount of smoke, with the attendent electrical smell.

Looks like the positive terminal contacted the air filter housing.

My hope is that I just toasted some fuses, but something about that much smoke makes me suspicious that there's more fried than that. While I'm sure nobody on this board has been quite that stupid, anybody have any thoughts where to start looking once I get the new battery in?

thanks....

boneheaddoctor · #2 09-13-2004, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhino

Monday morning, running late for work. Turn the key, nothing. It had done that a few weeks ago, I jumped it and it's run fine. Well, this time, with the car pulled front-first into the garage, jumping was not appealling.

I have a new battery in my Datsun, so pulled it out, and, after taking out battery rack, shoehorned it in, at an angle. Was planning on driving to work, ordering a battery, putting it in tomorrow.

Car started, but immediately had electronic issues. Sat radio died first, followed by all the guages. I shut the engine off asap, but it dieselled a minute or so, having not yet built up vacuum yet. As I got out of the car, saw and smelled a fair amount of smoke, with the attendent electrical smell.

Looks like the positive terminal contacted the air filter housing.

My hope is that I just toasted some fuses, but something about that much smoke makes me suspicious that there's more fried than that. While I'm sure nobody on this board has been quite that stupid, anybody have any thoughts where to start looking once I get the new battery in?

thanks....

You may or may not have damaged the regulator. Whatever, the damage is done. get a good battery in it, check your fuses, check its charging voltage. You may find it works. If it does count your blessings. Check voltages where things don't work. Look for melted wires. If your positive terminal grounded, I would focus on the wiring from the alternator to the battery.

lrg · #3 09-13-2004, 02:58 PM

I would agree. Probably the voltage regulator (not a big deal) and maybe a few fuses. It likely didn't make contact until the engine started since a ground at the positive terminal would have taking enough power to prevent cranking. Just be glad you don't have an ignition system to worry about.

Mustapha63701 · #4 09-13-2004, 05:27 PM

Hello,

I tend to agree also that you probably damaged your regulator (a fusable link or two? Doubtful) and not much more.

Though the early diesel engines do not need any electrical feed to keep them going once started (no spark plugs and no complicated electronics) all other devices requiring electricity would naturally cease to work when:
a. damaged voltage regulator prevents electricity from being supplied to anywhere, by the alternator.
b. Shorted battery is unable to supply feed to any electrical components/devices due to its shorted state.

In other words, your alternator isn’t “feeding” electricity due to open circuit caused by a faulty/burned regulator (a fairly inexpensive and easy to replace part) and the battery is unable to take-up the “slack” due to its shorted state.

I’ve had this problem over the past umpteen years, with a Ponton 220S, a D-309 Omnibus, at least one w123 300d and even an old time Jag (a ’63 Mk II.) The cause in all cases was attempting to use an incorrect battery (a battery “taller” than original) and though annoying and time consuming, in all cases fairly easy to rectify. (watch-out for incorrect battery installation however, this can cause much more heartaches…)

Of course one shudders at the thought of having the same problem with a car with much simpler electricals (i.e., a Citroen 2CV or a Citroen Traction Avant) In such a case, due to very limited number of electrical fuses, (2) etc., surely, there would have to be much “wire-tracing!”

I hope all will be well with your Merc.

Sincerely,

Mustapha

rhino · #5 09-13-2004, 05:36 PM

Thanks all. I'll be checking the above tonight, as well as Sirius radio receiver (oh, please!!). I'm guessing the regulator is near the alternator? I'm still just hopeful that's all it is. Sure did produce a small but significant amount of smoke, which has my blood pressure elevated more than anything!

lrg · #6 09-13-2004, 06:18 PM

The regulators is IN the alternator. It is on the back and easily removable with two screws. New ones are available on Fastlane (and other places).