Battery change on 300 TE (1990)

[Mercedes 190E]

Hi All
My battery went very flat over the weekend and I had to jump start the car. Alternator is charging fine and as far as I can tell, nothing was draining the battery, so I think I need a new one. Question-do I just change the battery or are there any precautions I have to take (With ECU or anything else)?
Many thanks.

 

[teddycatkin]

no nothing special-just change them over---I went for the Bosch silver H/D--£90.
Its been on 6 months now and I am pleased with it.

 

[Myros]

make it as clean a job as you can

I think you can blitz the OVP if you chatter the terminals and cables. Maybe a quick search will help. I do one almost by habit now before taking a job on.Malcolm has written a lot about safe battery changes somewhere I think.

 

[ncooper]

Before you buy,ask your battery supplier to do a discharge test on your present battery,which will quickly confirm your diagnosis (or not).

Regards,
Nick

 

[Mercedes 190E]

How i a discharge test performed? Is it something I could do at home? (I have multimeter etc.)

 

[ncooper]

Hello,

No,I don't think you can do it with a multimeter,it involves connecting a resistance between the poles and measuring the effect on the battery voltage.
I stand to be corrected on this.

The device used to be simply a large coil between two pins with a voltmeter attached and if left on long enough would cause the defective cell(s) to boil.

A defective battery will show a progressive reduction in its voltage,a good one will hold steady.

The last one I had done was with a box of electronics.

Regards,
Nick.

 

[Mercedes 190E]

Thanks guys. I jump started it and took it to my local carspares shop. They gave me a considered opinion on the battery...."It's f***ed mate." :lol:
Replacement, heavy duty with a year guarantee was £65 fitted. Not too bad eh?