Dashboard warning light on a 2013 C180

[PWMS]

I have a 2013 C180 model which I have had from 6 months old and has done just 27,000 miles. Recently an electrical fault has developed. To start with, and after the car (which is always dry garaged) has not been run for several days, when I set off I get the 'release parking brake' warning light on the dashboard. This warning light switches off quite quickly. The other day however, not only did I get the warning light but I also got a much more extensive momentary failure of the electrics, and the steering became very heavy (I presume the power assisted steering is electrically operated). However, power was quickly restored (including to the steering) and I had no further problems.
I have checked the brake fluid (I have read that low brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir can cause this 'release park brake' dashboard sign problem) but the fluid reservoir is full.
Any thought or suggestions as to what the problem might be would be much appreciated.
Many thanks

 

[Blobcat]

I’d be checking on the battery voltage

 

[PWMS]

I’d be checking on the battery voltage

Thanks. I actually charge the battery regularly using a trickle charger because during the current pandemic the car often isn't used for several weeks at a time.

 

[grahamcol]

Could still be a problem with the battery. They usually last very well in Mercs as the original ones (Varta) are high quality. However it depends a lot on how the battery has been treated and if left to run down too low and too often it will fail. I've just replaced the original battery in my 07 CLK but l think 13 years must be pretty exceptional.

 

[PWMS]

Could still be a problem with the battery. They usually last very well in Mercs as the original ones (Varta) are high quality. However it depends a lot on how the battery has been treated and if left to run down too low and too often it will fail. I've just replaced the original battery in my 07 CLK but l think 13 years must be pretty exceptional.

Thanks for this Graham. I actually keep a close eye on the battery condition to inform me as to when it might need charging, and the meter I use to check it has never shown less than half charge before I put it on charge. All a bit puzzling!

 

[sonic]

Only ever changed one battery on a MB, our SLK 200K at 9.5 years. Currently my 2011 E350CDI is still on its original battery.

 

[ajlsl600]

Still suspect batt Benz hate low batt. Connect to code reader see how many codes thrown up ref low voltage. If plenty change batt if none look batt connections and earth's.

 

[PWMS]

Still suspect batt Benz hate low batt. Connect to code reader see how many codes thrown up ref low voltage. If plenty change batt if none look batt connections and earth's.

Ok thanks for your help with this.

 

[ajlsl600]

Just read in yr post again. If yr charging when batt meter reads half charge u almost certainly will have triggered low voltage codes. If you like note, clear codes, charge it and check again. Me I would replace and put on ctek when not in use.

 

[PWMS]

Just read in yr post again. If yr charging when batt meter reads half charge u almost certainly will have triggered low voltage codes. If you like note, clear codes, charge it and check again. Me I would replace and put on ctek when not in use.

Ok that's interesting, I will follow your advice. Thanks

 

[PWMS]

Hello folks.

I've posted before about a recurring electrical problem on my petrol engined C180. The problem still persists!

I have a 2013 C180 model which I have had from 6 months old and has done just 29,000 miles. In recent years an electrical fault has developed. To start with, and after the car (which is always dry garaged) has not been run for several days, when I set off, I got the 'release parking brake' warning light on the dashboard. The warning light switched off quite quickly.

However, this problem has now developed into a much more extensive momentary failure of the electrics, and the steering becomes very heavy (I am told that the power assisted steering is electrically operated). However, power is quickly restored (including to the steering) and I have no further problems until it occurs again. Most recently the fault spread (on just the one occasion) to the turbocharger as well, and it failed to operate until I stopped the car and restarted the engine. Then it worked perfectly again!
I have the car serviced by an independent Mercedes specialist who is increasingly baffled about it, because whilst he can replicate the fault when driving the vehicle, his diagnostic computer is not showing any faults when the car is checked back at the garage with the engine running.
He tells me that he had a similar fault on an S class, and knowing of Mercedes cars vulnerability to voltage fluctuation, replaced the voltage regulator in the alternator on that S class, and it cured the problem, He replaced the voltage regulator on my car but it has not made any difference at all.
At considerable cost I have now replaced the battery with a brand new Mercedes battery but it really hasn't cured the problem. (Incidentally I always kept the old battery charged up with regular trickle charging).
Any thoughts or suggestions as to what the problem might be would be much appreciated.
Many thanks