Big Red Battery Appeared

[PROJUMPER]

Mercedes ML280 2008
Popped down the shops this afternoon, and suddenly up popped a BIG RED BATTERY warning image, along with the engine management light, the radio and heater lights went off momentarily and the interior lights came on! Any Ideas?

 

[allhellletloose]

Battery

I had this recently. Turns out it was a duff alternator. You can check if it is charging by switching your key to the on position (not second position) and then pressing the R button on the dash 3 times quickly. It will show off load, start and charge voltages as you start the car.

New alternator from an independant Merc dealer was a snip at just £1003!

 

[Mark A]

Time for a new battery (red indicates the main battery) accessible without pulling the drivers seat out. Put it as far forward as possible and as high as it will go, after lots of swearing you should be able to get it out.

 

[bembo449]

or the alternator belt has failed ?

 

[Craiglxviii]

Yup, either the battery has failed or its charging has failed...

 

[PROJUMPER]

Well, not only did the Big Red Battery appear on the dash, the interior lights came on, the wipers started wiping intermittently, and the wing mirrors folded closed!!

 

[Mark A]

Check in the boot (drivers side) behind the access cover. You will find a fuse box, and if you look down in the hatch, you will see the rear SAM. Check to see if water is getting in.

I had months of problem after problem, and it turned out that there was water getting in from either the 3rd brake light or the rear light cluster.

Still might just be a weak battery, but worth checking for extra complications.

 

[PROJUMPER]

Check in the boot (drivers side) behind the access cover. You will find a fuse box, and if you look down in the hatch, you will see the rear SAM. Check to see if water is getting in.

I had months of problem after problem, and it turned out that there was water getting in from either the 3rd brake light or the rear light cluster.

Still might just be a weak battery, but worth checking for extra complications.

Hi Mark, as you suggested, the SAM was the fault.... the car was recovered to Robin Lamb's Mercedes Specialists of Gloucester, and a new SAM was fitted and re-coded. As this is a common fault, do I need to add Silica moisture packs to the rear storage space?

 

[Frontstep]

Hi Mark, as you suggested, the SAM was the fault.... the car was recovered to Robin Lamb's Mercedes Specialists of Gloucester, and a new SAM was fitted and re-coded. As this is a common fault, do I need to add Silica moisture packs to the rear storage space?

You want to stop moisture getting in before thinking of collecting it.

 

[SortedE320]

I used to like Yuasa batteries and recommend them to any that would listen - but having had one fail at 3 years and well within the 5 year warranty and had to fight the good fight of consumers rights and have my original receipt! To gain my right to a replacement, which was eventually granted by the shed that is, Halfords, I'd now say perhaps you're best with OEM MB batteries as they seem to be genuinely capable of lasting 5 years, and beyond?

I've since had another (Yuasa) go flat from lack of use, granted, but now, it won't hold a charge and is all but scrap at less than 18 months old of age. Yuasa no more for me. Uncheap shyte.

SE320.

 

[PROJUMPER]

You want to stop moisture getting in before thinking of collecting it.

A New rear light seal was fitted at the same time by Robin Lamb.

 

[Mark A]

I would keep an eye on it for a while to make sure that the water ingress issue is fixed. There were 3 common areas when I was trawling through various posts about this. The rear light cluster seal, the seal on the 3rd brake light and the seal on the rear quarter light (although this seems much less common).

I put a load of kitchen roll in the recess and kept checking on a daily basis for weeks to make sure that there was no moisture getting in.