Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Tech Help

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10-15-2006, 01:36 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 8
Battery Charging and Electrical Problems

W203 C200 2001 19kmiles

I need to jump start my car everyday because the "electricity" gone.Battery & alternator tested fine.My mechanic still cant solve the problem yet.Can anybody help me?Thank you
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10-15-2006, 03:18 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: DFW / Collin County Texas
Posts: 1,882
How were the battery and alternator tested? Were they tested in the car using an instrument that just touches the positive and negative terminals? The kind that AutoZone will do for free? In my experience, these are not thorough tests of these components.

The alternator should be removed and placed on a testing machine which will spin it up to speed and measure not only volts, but more importantly amperage output. Similarly, a dedicated battery load tester will provide a more accurate test of your battery by simulating a deep discharge. I believe Autozone may perform these tests, but I'm not sure. Old-school type parts places which *tend* to have more knowledge will definitely do these. Napa and some local CarQuest places come to mind, depending on where you're located.

In my opinion, the in-the-car tests are just for rough overview but aren't very thorough. It's similar to the handheld code scanners which just give you a rough guide to start troubleshooting but don't really tell the whole picture.
__________________
08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10-15-2006, 03:42 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Ocean Isle Beach, NC
Posts: 2,532
If it has the original batttery in it, I would replace that as a first step. Five years in a car that sits a lot is about all you can expect.

Len
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10-15-2006, 03:47 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: DFW / Collin County Texas
Posts: 1,882
Quote:
Originally Posted by sokoloff View Post
If it has the original batttery in it, I would replace that as a first step. Five years in a car that sits a lot is about all you can expect.

Len
I generally agree with your observation, but a load test could still rule out the battery. Why replace something that is perfectly fine? $$$
__________________
08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10-15-2006, 06:11 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Ocean Isle Beach, NC
Posts: 2,532
Only because he is having electrical problems, the battery is approaching or has passed its useful life and not running a car much is hard on a battery. Batteries now often fail without warning even with passing a load test. Now if the electrical system was functioning properly, I wouldn't automatically swap it out after five years, but it certainly would be on my watch list. Of course, we aren't sure whether or not this is the original battery or not.

Len
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10-15-2006, 11:08 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 8
I replaced the battery with the new one about 2 months ago.Not the original merce battery but with bosch battery.And about the alternator,my mechanic use his "computer tools" to test it.Thanks.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:45 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page