Dash lights up Red with a battery icon and visit workshop

[John77]

As I am not using the car much at the moment, I went out in it yesterday and on starting the Dash lit up Red with a battery icon and visit workshop. I have had a message on the dash saying consumer (I think) battery not available at the moment, then later it's working. After driving for about 10 minutes the red dash goes out. There is no problem starting and the engine is turning over quickly. Is it this other battery and if so where is it and is it just replace or will it need to be set up on Star by MB?

2005 E200 Estate.

 

[ajlsl600]

Replace ur consumer batt.look tanya batts or dealer.benz often ok on batts.grangmouth benz..follow owners guide or get an indy to do it . Check utube.

 

[brandwooddixon]

You may find that it only needs charging. A lot of cars are standing for long periods of time at the moment and they're batteries will degrade. Hooking up a decent battery charger for a few hours once a month would certainly help.

 

[alexanderfoti]

The red battery icon is usually related to the SBC battery in the engine bay. Check this one first, if <11.5v replace it.

 

[John77]

The red battery icon is usually related to the SBC battery in the engine bay. Check this one first, if <11.5v replace it.

Replace ur consumer batt.look tanya batts or dealer.benz often ok on batts.grangmouth benz..follow owners guide or get an indy to do it . Check utube.

Thank you

 

[John77]

You may find that it only needs charging. A lot of cars are standing for long periods of time at the moment and they're batteries will degrade. Hooking up a decent battery charger for a few hours once a month would certainly help.

Thank you. I will give it a go.

 

[Nigel Hewitt]

Thanks guys. I had that this morning and it said to "Consult Owners Manual"
The nearest thing I've got to an Owners Manual is the Android 'Guides' App and that crashes on start-up since the latest 'upgrade'.

 

[John77]

The red battery icon is usually related to the SBC battery in the engine bay. Check this one first, if <11.5v replace it.

Thank you I will check it tomorrow

 

[John77]

Thank you I will check it tomorrow

I have taken off the auxiliary battery and put it on charge and it is nearly fully charged, so I check the maim battery in the boot and that is only 50% charged, so I have put both on charge and see how it goes. The car is not being used much at the moment and is only doing short runs to town and back, a couple of times a week, so this is probably the problem.

 

[John77]

The red battery icon is usually related to the SBC battery in the engine bay. Check this one first, if <11.5v replace it.

This morning the Red battery visit workshop was on. Went for a run for half an hour. The light has gone out. On checking the Voltage on return it is 11.9V.
Still the auxiliary battry?

 

[Botus]

u get two levels of brake fault but to the driver it only shows one message

one is the battery the other is brake failure

in 2018 USA had a 25 year, unlimited mileage warranty extension !!! to make these dangerous brakes Mercedes problem not yours

http://benzbits.com/SBC%20Warranty.pdf

 

[alexanderfoti]

This morning the Red battery visit workshop was on. Went for a run for half an hour. The light has gone out. On checking the Voltage on return it is 11.9V.
Still the auxiliary battry?

Yes, if its 11.9v just after you have driven for 30 minutes, it needs changing. (the front battery)

 

[John77]

Yes, if its 11.9v just after you have driven for 30 minutes, it needs changing. (the front battery)

Thank you. I fully charged it off the car 2 days ago, so I will change it.
Ordered a Varta Mercedes Battery for Auxilliary Pump for Brake System. See how this works. Same spec as the one supplied by Mercedes.

 

[John77]

Well the battery arrived yesterday, I put it on a smart charger over night to make sure that it is fully charged. Put it on the car today, no lights so far, but wait and see. Varta battery (Mercedes Battery for Auxiliary Pump for Brake System), same spec as MB's AGM battery, but half the price.

 

[AMGeed]

^ Yes, the Varta equivalent from Tayna is around £40 and great value.
I think the Fiamm OE aux batteries are over £80 now.

 

[John77]

^ Yes, the Varta equivalent from Tayna is around £40 and great value.
I think the Fiamm OE aux batteries are over £80 now.

I was quoted £100.23 inc VAT by local MB.

 

[John77]

u get two levels of brake fault but to the driver it only shows one message

one is the battery the other is brake failure

in 2018 USA had a 25 year, unlimited mileage warranty extension !!! to make these dangerous brakes Mercedes problem not yours

http://benzbits.com/SBC%20Warranty.pdf

Yes but no use in the UK.

 

[Botus]

but very important to see what fails and what you need to stay safe regardless of which country you or the car is in - hence why I posted the link

 

[AMGeed]

I was quoted £100.23 inc VAT by local MB.

Wow..Mercedes know how to bump up the price of their spares!
In 2016 I paid £72 inc VAT for an OE Fiamm battery.

 

[AMGeed]

Yes but no use in the UK.

Exactly. Same as the failed fuel pumps replaced in the US.
No use at all to us.
I'd also argue that SBC is a brilliant braking system, but a consumable part that will eventually need replacing much like the discs and pads.
I have yet to read of anyone in the UK having an accident due to a failed SBC pump. You usually get a white warning first. If you ignore that and it turns red, then more fool the owner.