stranded in VA with dead battery? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

SHARK1007 · #16 01-15-2005, 12:01 PM

I've got the Autozone battery in two diesels and they have been perfect. Don't think vibration is an issue.

While you're in Culpeper, buy me that 200D.

Roger

wolf_walker · #17 01-15-2005, 12:15 PM

Even though I know GNB or whoever they are makes all the batterys for autozone, advance, sears and many others, I still stay with my diehards.
My last correct size 800 or so CCA from sears was not all that pricy, less than $100.

Side note, my 300D is wired for a second battery in the trunk, aids a great deal in CCA. I learned this from midwest winters with VW diesels, which it takes a HELL of a vehicle to be able to jump start if you kill the battery...

Glad your rolling again Will.

SHARK1007 · #18 01-15-2005, 12:35 PM

You're right, you can't go wrong with Sears, as we used to say "Sears stands behind everything we sell... except our manure spreaders"

TwitchKitty · #19 01-15-2005, 01:15 PM

I was sold on DieHard batteries for many years and owned nothing else. Back in about the early '90s Sears gave me a hard time about a bad battery. They wanted to keep it and test it. I lived about 40 miles away and needed a battery. I left and bought a battery somewhere else. I will never own another DieHard unless it is already in a car when I buy the car.

tomm9298 · #20 01-15-2005, 02:09 PM

Interstate batteries. They cost more, but I have had superb luck with them.

boneheaddoctor · #21 01-15-2005, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomm9298

Interstate batteries. They cost more, but I have had superb luck with them.

I agree Interstate..............

Avoid Exide at any cost.........they go out of their way to avoid honoring their warranties........

Hatterasguy · #22 01-15-2005, 05:25 PM

If my battery ever dies in the middle of no where I will open the glove box and call 1-800-For-Mercedes. (I think thats the number) From what I have been told they will bring out a new battery for the cost of the battery. $105-$120 depending on the dealer. I will just have to sit back and wait for the ML350 to show up.

Thats the plan at least!

willrev · #23 01-16-2005, 09:04 AM

Well, I left Virginia with the new battery from Advance, but before getting on the road to NC as I am a minister and had a funeral to conduct in VA and get back to my own job this Sunday, I stopped back at Advance to have the check alternator.

Alt. is bad. Only 11.99 volts at any rpm. Rebuild only lasted 7mos. I had to go home anyway. Drove south in the dark till the battery went totally dead, beat on the door at a Sears last night at 8:30pm and they felt sorry for me and I got another battery. I had to stay in the shop to help them figure out how to open the hood and close it again. Then got hotel room for the night. Got up at daylight today and came on home. At home now. Will charge battery with charger in a little bit to replace what I used to get home. Had to have some heat this morn.

I am not getting the alt. rebuilt. Will buy new one or remanufactured with warranty.

Hatterasguy · #24 01-16-2005, 10:15 AM

I just bought a rebuilt alt from Fastlane, it is a Bosch rebuild and the quality seems to be very high.

They always seem to die at the worst times!

Alts are good at that.

wolf_walker · #25 01-16-2005, 11:28 AM

Should I have an temp alt ready to go with the temp PS pump?

When it rains it pours my friend...

Brian Carlton · #26 01-16-2005, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

If my battery ever dies in the middle of no where........

This thread is an unfortunate example of the fact that batteries do not ususally "die in the middle of nowhere". They slowly lose their capability of retaining a charge and eventually will not start the vehicle. In this case, the lack of an alternator caused the discharge of a perfectly good battery. I have serious reservations that the Advance Auto Parts personnel could properly determine that the battery was defective when it was heavily discharged due to a failed alternator.

willrev · #27 01-16-2005, 12:55 PM

The people at Advance had nothing to do with battery being declared defective. They have a computer controlled charger and battery analyzer that they put the battery into - inside the store. It charges, then goes into test mode, charges, then into test mode. It does this for a while and reads out the CCA on the screen. It then gives a reading as to whether or not the battery will take a proper charge or is defective. Mine read defective. So now I have two good batteries - the Advance one that they replaced for free and the Diehard that I bought so I could get home this morning.

Anyone local need a new battery?? I've got the Advance one on the home auto trickle charger right now. It needs a good home. I guess I will keep the Diehard since it is in the car.

willrev · #28 01-16-2005, 01:05 PM

There is a 55amp and a 65amp. My alternator has two belts going to the pully. I was told this means this is the 55amp alt. Is this the right way to tell?

1982 300sd. 2belts on alternator pully. I assume it means 55amp.

wolf_walker · #29 01-16-2005, 01:12 PM

Read the thread on the high amp SAAB alt, I can get you one for $45 or so(have to order). I don't have any 65's at work even. I assume they came on cars with seat heaters and such. Seems like there is a sticker on them that says amps...

Brian Carlton · #30 01-16-2005, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willrev

The people at Advance had nothing to do with battery being declared defective. They have a computer controlled charger and battery analyzer that they put the battery into - inside the store. It charges, then goes into test mode, charges, then into test mode. It does this for a while and reads out the CCA on the screen. It then gives a reading as to whether or not the battery will take a proper charge or is defective. Mine read defective. So now I have two good batteries - the Advance one that they replaced for free and the Diehard that I bought so I could get home this morning.

First, I am very pleased that you received a new battery from Advanced Auto after this harrowing experience.

However, what are the chances of the alternator going out and the battery being defective at the same time? Both items are less than one year old.

With all due respect to the Advanced computerized charger and testing equipment, I do not see any possibility of properly diagnosing a battery until it is fully charged. On a battery that is stone dead, this has to take a minimum of two hours to get anywhere near a decent charge and, preferably, would be done overnight at a much lower current level.

You cannot charge a dead battery in fifteen minutes and test it for cold cranking amps. The results are not valid.