Battery Warning Light Visit Workshop

[E320 CDI Alex]

My E320 CDI (2005/ 134,000 miles) has is showing the RED Battery warning light visit workshop on 2 occasions?

It has shown it twice when started up in the morning. If I run it for less than 5 mins... stop it..... and start it again it does not show the warning light any further. I thought this might initially be a random ignorable issue but.....

After driving 100 miles the command system computer crackled and went black on the motorway... everything else seemed fine and it started itself back up about 10 seconds later.

Power steering and brakes seem ok at the moment. I use this car a lot and could do without a more major issue on the motorway.

Is this the start of the alternator failing? Or is it likely to be something less major?

I would be very grateful of any advice?

Kind regards, Alex

 

[panason1c]

I would have the battery checked first, if it's the original battery then it's probably seen better days by now.

 

[television]

This will be the brush pack possibly just worn out, it will not be the battery as this cannot turn on the charging lamp

The brush packs can be fitted to most alternators, yours may a water cooled one not repairable

 

[E320 CDI Alex]

Had it checked

Thanks for the advice.... I had it checked today.

In idle the Alternator was kicking out - 13.8
The battery was reading without engine running - 10.6

Any advice from here.... what should the battery be showing?

Does it sound like a new battery should cure it?

Many thanks in advance.

Alex

 

[panason1c]

10.6v is too low, as i said in previous post, if its the original battery, renew it.

 

[television]

As above and dead right voltage for one dead cell

 

[Mallo]

I just had the same warning red battery visit workshop (disappeared on restart of the car) -just popped up to the garage and the alternator was 13.8. Should have checked the battery with the engine off, will probably be that.

Glad I found this thread

 

[bc100]

I also have had the red warning about the battery/alternator a few days ago including a message to turn off load items. I managed to get home and after a few days of non use I just checked the voltage and it was about 11V. When I start the car it drops to 10.5 and then slowly goes up to 12V. At around 2000RPM I get 14.2Volts. The car has always started first time every time all through winter. It is only used during the weekend but last week I did a 250 mile round trip mostly on the motorway, so the battery should be charged. The care is 11 years old and does not have a Mercedes brand battery in it so I assume it may be on its second or third battery. Have I got a battery or alternator problem and what is the life expectancy of a battery these days? I got 11 years from my Volvo battery some years ago.

 

[television]

You never know with batteries,,,many fail at 3 months and others 10 years.

The main thing is get a good make like Exide,Lucas,Varta, Bosch or banner,

House name batteries such as Halfords are a pain in the back side

The average life is 5 years

 

[bc100]

I have just gone out and re checked voltages and it is now telling me that the no run voltage is 12V and the running voltage is 11.9 V! This is at around 2000RPM and within a few seconds I get the red warning unlike the time of my earlier post, so it seems i may have an intermittent alternator problem.

 

[television]

Yes the reg pack has failed or the brushes worn

 

[bc100]

Just popped the car round to Klasse and he has ordered a new reg pack for Monday, so I'll let you know. Managed to fill the car with petrol as I was almost empty and the queues were surprisingly non existent here in Fulham!

 

[gen251]

hi Guys My mates merc battery is dead but cannot find where the battery is located. found small one passenger side with 12volts but that is obviously the main one . Any help welcomed

 

[Naraic]

hi Guys My mates merc battery is dead but cannot find where the battery is located. found small one passenger side with 12volts but that is obviously the main one . Any help welcomed

Even better if we knew what your mate drove.

 

[gen251]

merc battery

sorry guys E320 CDI 06 plate

battery in front OK - for brakes

Its the main one. Not under back seat - so where also is there a point in engine compatment where can charge battery.

Sorry about that
Frustrated

 

[Mallo]

Just popped the car round to Klasse and he has ordered a new reg pack for Monday, so I'll let you know. Managed to fill the car with petrol as I was almost empty and the queues were surprisingly non existent here in Fulham!

Would be interesting to see if that was it - I've only had the error once more in 500 miles. I'm off to get both batteries tested today and if they're ok I'll have to take it to Merc as I need a courtesy car to get to work.

 

[Mallo]

sorry guys E320 CDI 06 plate

battery in front OK - for brakes

Its the main one. Not under back seat - so where also is there a point in engine compatment where can charge battery.

Sorry about that
Frustrated

In the boot next to the spare wheel - pull the floor up then pull up the felt lining - it should be on the right.

 

[Mallo]

Yes the reg pack has failed or the brushes worn

Well the batteries were given a clean bill of health so I'm going to have to go to Merc as nowhere near my work really wants to touch it now.

That's fine I can book it in next week but I've got a trip to Aberdeen and back over the weekend so my question is should I be ok or are these things prone to sudden failure after a few (it's been 2 in 600 miles now - only warning light no electrical shutdowns) hiccups.

Thanks

Simon

 

[television]

The fault could be with the battery converter box,,, if the running voltage is over 13.8 it should be OK, there is a software update for these

 

[Mallo]

Thanks Malcolm,

It was 13.8 when we tested it last week, so maybe it's just the software update required. Will book it in anyway next week.