Battery change tomorrow W203

[GSM1]

Hi, I have to change battery tomorrow myself, can anyone advise on any possible problems.
Have not changed one on a Merc and my usual specialist is away tomorrow but he has kindly left me a battery to try and rectify the issue.
Many thanks guy's
Gary

 

[robbo]

Be very, very careful. the rear SAM module has a habit of blowing when you change the battery.

There is a procedure to follow apparently, but I am not sure what it is.

 

[GSM1]

Hi Robbo.
I also have a C320 avantagrde, my merc specialist tells me damage can only be done if a booster is used and you leave the keys in the ignition.
Truth be told i'm ****tin myself incase i do serious damage.
It's a battery after all, should be routine ?

 

[Parrot of Doom]

This may help. Its a bit heavy on the safety aspects but is a good guide.

http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-change-a-car-battery-2

 

[GSM1]

Thanks P.O.D, I lasted all of 1 min of the clip. I'm a qualified partsman but this forum as great as it is has left me wary of changing a battery, i know how to do it I just need to know the pitfalls.

Gary

 

[Rory]

Did you see this thread http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=26080

The 2 comments I've seen several times are not to have the key in the ignition and if the ABS etc lights stay on then turn the wheel lock to lock a few times.

 

[GSM1]

Changed battery today without a problem, but have not cured the fault.
Still getting Undervoltage consumer defective and Red battery/alternator warning.
Car is running and starting ok, but have not used the headlights incase it drains the battery.
Anybody any ideas, I think the alternator and by the looks of prices will be expensive.
Thanks in advance.
Gary

 

[Ultymate]

Most times with an alternator you can get away with just replacing the combined brushbox and regulator pack which is usually just bolted to the back of your alternator

 

[GSM1]

Thanks ultymate.
I will go down that road on monday, and hope it's is not the alternator.
Should I be able to do that job on my own.

 

[Ultymate]

If on your car you can get access to the back of the alternator you can sometimes do it without removing the alternator from the car, it varies car to car good luck
Here's a picture of a Bosch reg come brushbox just held in by two screws in the lugs you can see. You'll have to make sure what type of alternator you've got I think Bosch are the most common but believe there are some Valeo ones around

 

[television]

As Ultimates excellent posting. look in your yellow pages under car electrics and you will see the Bosch service centers or agents. the reg packs only cost £20 and hopefully you will be a happy GSM1.

Malcolm

 

[GSM1]

Excellent Ultymate !!!!!!!
Alternator is easily accessible, had a good look today.
I will have another look for the regulator tomorrow.
Thanks again, will let you know how i get on.
Gary

 

[GSM1]

Malcolm, you are a fountain of knowledge, with the symptoms I am having what route would you go down, regulator seems cheap to try next, should I get Bosch to fit it or do it myself
Gary

 

[television]

So is Ultymate a fountain of knowledge, as he says if you can see the rear of the alternator and it is possible to get to the 2 screws then fine.

One thing for sure, if you find a Bosch service center, these guys are quick and efficient, they do it all day long and charge a fraction of what MB charge on both parts and labour.

I sensed your uneasiness about changing the battery, spoil yourself.

Malcolm

 

[GSM1]

Yes Malcolm, ultymate is indeed a fountain of knowledge, one of may on this excellent forum.
I simply congratulated you due to your recent achievement of 10k posts.
Battery change went as expected, just needed to know if I could cause untold damage during the change, but alas no damage done, I hope.
Gary

 

[CMR]

Excellent Ultymate !!!!!!!
Alternator is easily accessible, had a good look today.
I will have another look for the regulator tomorrow.
Thanks again, will let you know how i get on.
Gary

Hi GSM1 well done changing your battery. I did mine a few days ago but couldnt really feel relaxed till I had felt sure nothing had blown anything in the process, and also I didnt really feel it was that straight forward due to the tight space involved, though I do feel a slight sense of achievement none the less having completed the task! Anyway, unfortunately for me the battery change hadn't cured my longterm undervoltage and batt/alt error messages. Well at least I can kind of discount the battery element now! Mine is currently with an indie - Ive had enough of driving with uncertainty, What I am interested in is how you get on with the regulator change, take some pics if you can as I'm sure it would make a great diy topic. Good luck Chris

 

[GSM1]

Hi CMR, had to be recovered today as car chucked it, thankfully not far from home.
I am taking it to indie tomorrow as recovery guy thought the alternator would have to come out to do the regulator.
I discovered today though that 6 & 8 cylinder mercs from june 2001 have a recall regarding alternator/regulator failure.
I will be making a call 1st thing tomorrow, you might want to do the same.
Gary

 

[CMR]

Hi GSM1, thats why in the end I thought I would get mine fixed. I suspected my car's alt. would have to come off and there was no way I personaly was going down that route! I had previously questioned the recall and apparently mine has not got a recall outstanding. Despite my car being reg. in 2001 it has only done 21,000 so I will be dissappointed if it is he whole alternator that needs replacing but apparently, so I've been told, it wouldn't be the first time. This is my first repair since owning the car and my first experience of a merc repair garage so I am interested in the outcome, particularly after reading many posts on this forum. Good luck with yours... Chris

 

[television]

Hi GSM1, thats why in the end I thought I would get mine fixed. I suspected my car's alt. would have to come off and there was no way I personaly was going down that route! I had previously questioned the recall and apparently mine has not got a recall outstanding. Despite my car being reg. in 2001 it has only done 21,000 so I will be dissappointed if it is he whole alternator that needs replacing but apparently, so I've been told, it wouldn't be the first time. This is my first repair since owning the car and my first experience of a merc repair garage so I am interested in the outcome, particularly after reading many posts on this forum. Good luck with yours... Chris

The chances of having to replace the whole alternator on a 20k moles car is almost nil, you might have been better off going to a Bosch service center where they do this all day long. It should though only be the reg pack.

with your van first 6 numbers I could check your car out.

Malcolm

 

[GSM1]

Hi CMR,
my car got taken to an indie today, he called me to say it needs a new alternator, my car has 80k on the clock.
He has quoted £280 to supply and fit the alternator which I don't think is too bad considering some of the prices I have seen being quoted.
Good luck with yours.
Gary
PS.
Mercedes uk wanted me to fax my V5 and license to them before they would disclose if it needed a recall, Told them to forget it.