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  #1  
Old 10-15-2006, 01:36 PM
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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

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  #2  
Old 10-15-2006, 03:18 PM
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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.
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  #3  
Old 10-15-2006, 03:42 PM
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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
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  #4  
Old 10-15-2006, 03:47 PM
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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? $$$
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86 W126 560SEL
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85 W126 380SE Cranberry
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75 W114 280
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  #5  
Old 10-15-2006, 06:11 PM
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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
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  #6  
Old 10-15-2006, 11:08 PM
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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.
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  #7  
Old 10-15-2006, 11:39 PM
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Okay, so the original battery question is answered.

Len
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  #8  
Old 10-16-2006, 05:02 AM
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Uhmmm...parasitic drain too high?
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  #9  
Old 10-16-2006, 06:40 AM
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I presume the new battery has the correct CCA for your car and the electrolyte level is fine. Check that the battery connectors are clean and tight.
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  #10  
Old 10-16-2006, 08:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Ferdman View Post
I presume the new battery has the correct CCA for your car and the electrolyte level is fine. Check that the battery connectors are clean and tight.
Must I use a special tool to clean it?
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  #11  
Old 10-16-2006, 08:36 AM
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The W203 chassis has an interior network of computers... if the network doesn't go to sleep with the key off then there will be a constant drain that will kill the battery..

.Does your car have power seats with memory?
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  #12  
Old 10-16-2006, 09:35 AM
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Use a battery wire brush ... male brush for the connectors and female brush for the terminals. Should be available at any auto parts store or Sears.
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  #13  
Old 10-16-2006, 09:56 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M.B.DOC View Post
The W203 chassis has an interior network of computers... if the network doesn't go to sleep with the key off then there will be a constant drain that will kill the battery..

.Does your car have power seats with memory?
Yes,it has.Are there any off button to shutdown it?
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  #14  
Old 10-16-2006, 12:26 PM
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One of the first steps would be to check "quiescent current", MB word for the drain on a battery with everything off. I had a 89 SL that had a frayed wire bleeding from the trunk lamp circuit to the running lamps, and would not do it when the lid was up and they had a meter on the battery
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  #15  
Old 10-16-2006, 12:32 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Guenther View Post
One of the first steps would be to check "quiescent current", MB word for the drain on a battery with everything off. I had a 89 SL that had a frayed wire bleeding from the trunk lamp circuit to the running lamps, and would not do it when the lid was up and they had a meter on the battery
I have wondered about this before. How exactly does one take this measurement other than hooking up a milliammeter inline?

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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
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