2000 2.0L C-Class Sport - Car doesn't always start

[Mercs Halai]

Hi all, I'm new to the forum and have found it very insightful so far.

I hope someone out there can help me. I have a 2000 w202 sport which has been a great servant to me over the past 3 years. In Jan 05, the original MB battery died and I had a new battery fitted from Halfords. This winter, the car occasionally starts but frequently does not (in which case I have to jump start it with my missus' Corsa (which, incidentally always starts first time)- very embarrasing). I have had the battery cheked by Halfords who insist that it is a good battery

I only drive it about 5-10 miles on the weekdays but probably 20 - 50 miles at weekends.

What could my problem be? :cry:

 

[television]

Hi all, I'm new to the forum and have found it very insightful so far.

I hope someone out there can help me. I have a 2000 w202 sport which has been a great servant to me over the past 3 years. In Jan 05, the original MB battery died and I had a new battery fitted from Halfords. This winter, the car occasionally starts but frequently does not (in which case I have to jump start it with my missus' Corsa (which, incidentally always starts first time)- very embarrasing). I have had the battery cheked by Halfords who insist that it is a good battery

I only drive it about 5-10 miles on the weekdays but probably 20 - 50 miles at weekends.

What could my problem be? :cry:

I had 3 of Halfords batteries all went flat in two weeks, they argued it must be the car, I told them as an electronic eng I knew that it was not.
In the end I took an Exide, that was 2 years ago, car has been perfect.

The testers they use cannot detect duff cells,pay the £10 more for an Exide.

Malcolm

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Modern Mercs do not like undercurrent batteries. MB would do well to point this out in the handbook. My car at 5yrs old was starting to develop minor electrical problems which disappeared when I fitted a new battery.

The demand that new generation cars place on the battery and charging system are very high nowadays and if you do predominately short journeys anything other than a top of the range battery is likely to prove troublesome.

As television says I would swop out for a top brand, well worth the extra price. If you shop around there are still some decent deals on Bosch etc.