A180 Battery drain

[Keith Morgan]

Just bought an A180 executive sport from Sytner Group. AGM battery drains flat over two days whilst unused on the drive. Took it back last week after jump start, they kept it a day and told me they could find no fault. So returned the car and had jump start it again yesterday. They have now had it for two working days. Car computer sent dozens of messages during this time to advise of battery discharge confirmed by my professional battery tester. Hope they will now believe me and sort problem. Can anyone out there assist?
Keith Morgan
078602111620

 

[Alfie]

Just bought an A180 executive sport from Sytner Group. AGM battery drains flat over two days whilst unused on the drive. Took it back last week after jump start, they kept it a day and told me they could find no fault. So returned the car and had jump start it again yesterday. They have now had it for two working days. Car computer sent dozens of messages during this time to advise of battery discharge confirmed by my professional battery tester. Hope they will now believe me and sort problem. Can anyone out there assist?
Keith Morgan
078602111620

I would tell them to keep it until its fixed. Its under warranty. If its the Swindon branch you are using, then they are pretty good in my experience.

 

[Keith Morgan]

I would tell them to keep it until its fixed. Its under warranty. If its the Swindon branch you are using, then they are pretty good in my experience.

 

[Keith Morgan]

Thank you I will.
Keith

 

[Keith Morgan]

My A180….. purchased demo car in June has been with Sytner Swindon for over three weeks now and they have not been able to establish the cause of the battery drain. They have fitted two new batteries to no avail. Does anyone have any thoughts please? Am on the verge of asking for a refund or a replacement but having spent a considerable amount having this almost new car detailed and ceramic coating am loath to take this action.

 

[mattkh]

My A180….. purchased demo car in June has been with Sytner Swindon for over three weeks now and they have not been able to establish the cause of the battery drain.

Does the car actually go to sleep or not???
If it does, then tell them to put an alternator from another A180 and see if that cures the battery drain.

 

[Mr Greedy]

This should all be simple stuff to diagnose and quick as well. They can easily test changing voltage and drain current for each of the car systems. If they are unable to do this, I would be slightly worried. Just throwing two car batteries at this as an approach is also worrying regarding their competence with repairs and fault finding. Good luck Op.

 

[Keith Morgan]

Sytner Teeside have replaced the car. All in all Teeside have been very sympathetic. Thanks fir all the feedback.

 

[mioba]

Glad you got a solution that works. ps hope they compensated you accordingly.

 

[magicalbenz]

My mom bought a MB 180 A car on 11 December 2020, in Finland. I found this forum thread via google and chose to share the story so far.

17.12.2022 the car did not start, I charged the battery and still the car does not start. I called where the car has been serviced. I told the situation of the car and asked how to proceed? I was instructed to call the repair shop at on 19 December 2022 and arrange a more specific time to bring the car to and order a towing service.

On December 19, 2022, around 8 o'clock, The battery was empty and had been charged but the car wouldn't start. The towing service's car was ordered. The car went to the repair shop. In the shop, it was estimated with the help of a fault reader that the battery is bad and possibly there is a fault in the starter. No obvious fault was found.

20.12.2022 The battery had been replaced with a new one and I paid for the new battery and labor costs. The car worked on 20-21 December 2022, but when you needed the car on 24 December 2022 and started it, the car did not start. Battery empty, I charged the battery but it didn't start.

On December 27, 2022, I called shop and told the car's situation that it wouldn't start despite charging. He directed to order a tow truck. They said that the possible fault is in the starter. They ordered a new starter and installed it. They had never installed a starter in such a new car before. The fault of the car and the reason for not starting remained unclear to shop.

I got the car from the repair shop on January 5, 2022, after it had been standing outside for 4 hours and they tested that the car started. On January 5, 2023, I got the car serviced and paid for a new start and labor costs. It was said about the repair shop that they don't know what was wrong with the car. On January 5, 2023, the car worked. 6.1.2023 the car did not start, will not start. Battery empty.

On January 7, 2023, I was in contact with the seller and told him the situation. He checked that the mercedes Certified guarantee was valid on the date of contact, 17 December 2022 (expired on 18 December 2022). He instructed to send the complaint to sales manager. Mobile mobility insurance is valid in the car and I was directed to call them so that the car can be sent to the auto repair shop and a replacement car can be used. The car was towed on 7 January 2023. The complaint has also been sent to workshop manager on January 7, 2023.

January 11 repair shop called that they have ordered complete new wiring for the car (?) as they find the fault to be wire connector corner oxidized. The car is still in the repair shop as they are waiting for the wires, which are not anywhere available right now. Battery, new starter and upcoming expenses will be repaid to us.

How lucky (or unlucky) can you be that your car doesn't start one day before the guarantee expires?

I do not know if this was the same issue as you had - or not.

Best Regards,
magicalbenz

 

[Blobcat]

Faulty diode pack on the alternator is a fairly common cause. It can depend upon where it stops if the faulty diode drains the battery or not. The alternator will still charge so it can appear to be functioning correctly however with some basic diagnosis it can be checked fairly easily.

 

[mioba]

A new loom. Jeepers.

Lucky you are and nice you found the forum
and posted the woes you had. Keep up updated

 

[magicalbenz]

A new loom. Jeepers.

Lucky you are and nice you found the forum
and posted the woes you had. Keep up updated

We are emotionally attached to these wheels, will keep you posted.

 

[magicalbenz]

Update is that the car is still at the repair shop and they have ordered replacement parts (wiring) from Ukraine, so it might take a while...