2011 sl350 wont start....dash flashes when key is put in but then nothing?

[dsp]

Hi guys, just bought a 2011 sl350 and the day after we got it we went to start it and when the key is put in the whole dash flashes then everthing goes off and nothing? It will repeat this if tried again then nothing at all afyer that and the alarm will sound? Any help to point us in the right direction would be greatly appreciated. I have attached a video to show.

 

[Blobcat]

Hello and welcome,

What condition is the battery in? If <12.4v with engine off it needs charging/replacing

 

[00slk]

We had the same, or similar issue with our r230 2003. It turns out to be the mother board in the ignition switch which was cracked.
Try warming up the ignition switch with a hair dryer for a few minutes and if it starts, it'll be a sure indication that the switch is faulty. Or as above, flat battery.

 

[dsp]

Hello and welcome,

What condition is the battery in? If <12.4v with engine off it needs charging/replacing

Hello and welcome,

What condition is the battery in? If <12.4v with engine off it needs charging/replacing

Hi blobcat, thanks for your reply, i will test battery tomorrow and update

 

[dsp]

We had the same, or similar issue with our r230 2003. It turns out to be the mother board in the ignition switch which was cracked.
Try warming up the ignition switch with a hair dryer for a few minutes and if it starts, it'll be a sure indication that the switch is faulty. Or as above, flat battery.

Thanks 00slk, will give that a go tomorrow and update

 

[dsp]

*update

I took both batterys off and fully charged them both and it started first time. Thanks guys

 

[Larkone]

The forum needs a sticky for 'What do to when random electrical events happen' - Charge the batteries

 

[SL63 Mark]

The problem is, the R230 does weird things when battery voltages are low. Instead of just cranking the engine slowly, it gives you a bank of unconnected messages and lights (or nothing at all). When you get used to them, they are much like any other car. Certainly if you want to leave an R230 for any length of time (more than a week) you need a trickle charger. I have never yet heard of a 230 without a current drain, some bigger than others. I managed to track most of mine down, but never did fix the rear quarter window motor drain, fortunately that is now someone else's problem.

 

[00slk]

I am not too worried with my r230 'drain' it seems to be working okay nowadays

 

[SL63 Mark]

I am not too worried with my r230 'drain' it seems to be working okay nowadays

What sort of draw do you have, I used to measure mine at rest, with a multimeter in series with the battery negative, it was huge, something like 0.5 amps at all times. I managed to get it down to 0.15, but even that is a battery killer. Malcolm told me that was "normal", quite good even, and not to worry.

 

[00slk]

What sort of draw do you have, I used to measure mine at rest, with a multimeter in series with the battery negative, it was huge, something like 0.5 amps at all times. I managed to get it down to 0.15, but even that is a battery killer. Malcolm told me that was "normal", quite good even, and not to worry.

When I bought the 55, it never had any drain on the electrical system that I knew of, however I did use it every day for 3 plus years. I had to replace the boot battery as after a couple of weeks with the car sitting the comsumers would be off line. I made the first mistake and got a new battery from Halfords. It lasted a few months and went flat. I took the car back with the battery and got them to check the battery, that was the second mistake as they diagnosed a failed alternator! Replaced the alternator and their battery still went flat, so I got a refund on their battery when I returned it. I then bought a battery off Grangemouth. End of battery problem. Although after not using the car for few months, I used the car and had comsumers off line again. I since have not used the car for over a year and it just sits, being moved occasionally, though I disconnect the battery now. When we had our driveway concreted I put the 55 on the back of the lorry and put the lorry in storage for 2 moths, but forgot to disconnect the battery in the boot. When I brought the lorry back to get the 55 off, the car was dead as can be. So I charged the battery started the car and left it running for an hour to charge up the starter battery. Now it seems, if I leave it for 2 weeks and start her up the consumers are off line. So maybe as you said, with Malcolms knowledge this is normal. Though I have never checked for a drain on the system. Sounds like I will have to investigate this. The 55 goes in for an Mot on the 9th, so I can start using it again. I may ask the Indy to check this system?

Actually Mark, my comment was tongue 'n cheek regarding r230 water drains........... Sometimes my humour is very warped

 

[Blobcat]

When I bought the 55, it never had any drain on the electrical system that I knew of, however I did use it every day for 3 plus years. I had to replace the boot battery as after a couple of weeks with the car sitting the comsumers would be off line. I made the first mistake and got a new battery from Halfords. It lasted a few months and went flat. I took the car back with the battery and got them to check the battery, that was the second mistake as they diagnosed a failed alternator! Replaced the alternator and their battery still went flat, so I got a refund on their battery when I returned it. I then bought a battery off Grangemouth. End of battery problem. Although after not using the car for few months, I used the car and had comsumers off line again. I since have not used the car for over a year and it just sits, being moved occasionally, though I disconnect the battery now. When we had our driveway concreted I put the 55 on the back of the lorry and put the lorry in storage for 2 moths, but forgot to disconnect the battery in the boot. When I brought the lorry back to get the 55 off, the car was dead as can be. So I charged the battery started the car and left it running for an hour to charge up the starter battery. Now it seems, if I leave it for 2 weeks and start her up the consumers are off line. So maybe as you said, with Malcolms knowledge this is normal. Though I have never checked for a drain on the system. Sounds like I will have to investigate this. The 55 goes in for an Mot on the 9th, so I can start using it again. I may ask the Indy to check this system?

Actually Mark, my comment was tongue 'n cheek regarding r230 water drains........... Sometimes my humour is very warped

I'd recommend a battery conditioner and connect it every time you park it for more than a day - My SLK sat on 1 for a month whilst waiting for springs, the smart is now on 1 in the garage whilst I'm using the SLK. The Bikes, 911 and Landy all stay connected - All start first time and a lot of the batteries are at least 10 years old.

 

[SL63 Mark]

When I bought the 55, it never had any drain on the electrical system that I knew of, however I did use it every day for 3 plus years. I had to replace the boot battery as after a couple of weeks with the car sitting the comsumers would be off line. I made the first mistake and got a new battery from Halfords. It lasted a few months and went flat. I took the car back with the battery and got them to check the battery, that was the second mistake as they diagnosed a failed alternator! Replaced the alternator and their battery still went flat, so I got a refund on their battery when I returned it. I then bought a battery off Grangemouth. End of battery problem. Although after not using the car for few months, I used the car and had comsumers off line again. I since have not used the car for over a year and it just sits, being moved occasionally, though I disconnect the battery now. When we had our driveway concreted I put the 55 on the back of the lorry and put the lorry in storage for 2 moths, but forgot to disconnect the battery in the boot. When I brought the lorry back to get the 55 off, the car was dead as can be. So I charged the battery started the car and left it running for an hour to charge up the starter battery. Now it seems, if I leave it for 2 weeks and start her up the consumers are off line. So maybe as you said, with Malcolms knowledge this is normal. Though I have never checked for a drain on the system. Sounds like I will have to investigate this. The 55 goes in for an Mot on the 9th, so I can start using it again. I may ask the Indy to check this system?

Actually Mark, my comment was tongue 'n cheek regarding r230 water drains........... Sometimes my humour is very warped

No problem, I agree, current drains and water drains are often linked in the R230. On my SL55, the rear quarter window current drain was likely because the motor was sitting in water, because the water drain was blocked. I never did fix it, it looks a horrible job.

As I see it, the 230 owner has four choices if the "electrical consumers unavailable" message bothers them.

1. Trace the current drain and fix the water drain that is likely causing it.

2. Use a trickle charger. A bit of a hassle if you drive away with the charger still attached, like I did, and wondered what the noise was.

3. Park up the car, let the batteries go flat and forget it. Drain ? What drain.

4. Sell the car.

I tried all four during my 10 year ownership experience. Only number 4 fixed it.

 

[00slk]

No problem, I agree, current drains and water drains are often linked in the R230. On my SL55, the rear quarter window current drain was likely because the motor was sitting in water, because the water drain was blocked. I never did fix it, it looks a horrible job.

As I see it, the 230 owner has four choices if the "electrical consumers unavailable" message bothers them.

1. Trace the current drain and fix the water drain that is likely causing it.....................................

2. Use a trickle charger. A bit of a hassle if you drive away with the charger still attached, like I did, and wondered what the noise was..................................

3. Park up the car, let the batteries go flat and forget it. Drain ? What drain......................................

4. Sell the car...........................

I tried all four during my 10 year ownership experience. Only number 4 fixed it.

My response

 

[00slk]

I'd recommend a battery conditioner and connect it every time you park it for more than a day - My SLK sat on 1 for a month whilst waiting for springs, the smart is now on 1 in the garage whilst I'm using the SLK. The Bikes, 911 and Landy all stay connected - All start first time and a lot of the batteries are at least 10 years old.

How much are 11 conditioners

 

[Timeandleisure]

Option 3

 

[Blobcat]

How much are 11 conditioners

Cheaper than 1 new battery...

 

[00slk]

Cheaper than 1 new battery...

I have about 5 good battery's sitting here surplus to requirements, time to sell them and buy a conditioner

 

[Blobcat]

I have about 5 good battery's sitting here surplus to requirements, time to sell them and buy a conditioner

I also have a good spare battery from the smart sat on a conditioner as well....

 

[s5tuart]

I recently bought a Maypole Smart charger for £20 from eBay. It was listed at £24 but I got a special offer sent to me.

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