Does a dead battery cause fault codes?

[hod05]

Hello

I have a 2010 E class that's been mothballed since the lockdown and I'm now getting it back on the road taking it for MOT tomorrow. I've poured in some fresh fuel and tried to start it up

It's been started and run periodically during the time it's been garaged but its been a while since it was last run. There was no faults at all the last time it ran. Upon trying to start it this time it seems the battery is almost completely flat.

Upon turning the key the engine does not turn even once, the lights go out, radio goes silent and I get the following fault codes below (or similar can't remember the exact wording)

ABS system unavailable
ESN system unavailable
SRS SYSTEM fault consult workshop

Is this bugs caused by the bettery or should my wallet start to worry?
Cheers

 

[onefortheroad]

yes , all 3 are flagged up by low voltage. In order to work safely and effectively they need to see good voltage. A 24 hour charge should see things back to normal.

 

[Wearsafoxhat]

Hi,

Yes flat batteries, even ones below 12v cause faults. Mercedes need a good battery to function properly.

Charge it up overnight and always turn the radio off .

Hopefully it will be okay in the morning.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[LostKiwi]

If battery voltage drops below 11.6v control modules shut down or fail to start.

 

[Craiglxviii]

To the thread title I say this:

Yes, oh my my yes, doesn’t it just!

When I bought my 215 it had a flat battery. When I had the fault codes read the fitter printed off the list. There were several pages of them, almost all caused by undervoltage issues. Those can then cascade other issues across the car as well.

 

[grahamcol]

It is my belief (rightly or wrongly) that periodic starting of a laid up car isn't a good idea. I feel that the actual starting uses more power from the battery than the alternator is able to put back. Unless of course the engine is run for an extended period, that in itself isn't a good idea unless the engine is under load and properly warmed up as in normal driving. Much better in my opinion is to use a good charger to keep the battery healthy.

 

[NJS5]

Better still start the car regularly, I do it every couple of weeks, and trickle charge.

NJSS

 

[hod05]

Thanks for all the advice. After Charging it was fine no codes and passed the MOT. Certainly glad they weren't real faults

 

[ajlsl600]

Ha

To the thread title I say this:

Yes, oh my my yes, doesn’t it just!

When I bought my 215 it had a flat battery. When I had the fault codes read the fitter printed off the list. There were several pages of them, almost all caused by undervoltage issues. Those can then cascade other issues across the car as well.

had Xactly same on a used a class I bought. Incl a trans issue it would not kick down.. Cleared all car was good till I stripped it for spares three months later........ 3 a4 pages.

 

[DMK/Happy]

To the thread title I say this:

Yes, oh my my yes, doesn’t it just!

When I bought my 215 it had a flat battery. When I had the fault codes read the fitter printed off the list. There were several pages of them, almost all caused by undervoltage issues. Those can then cascade other issues across the car as well.

What then if a battery needs to come out for new replacement?

 

[Craiglxviii]

What then if a battery needs to come out for new replacement?

It’s more the chronic undervoltage caused by a failing battery, than a dead battery that causes the problems. However, clipping the leads of a charger to the battery leads as they’re unbolted will maintain power to the car as things are swapped over.

 

[DMK/Happy]

It’s more the chronic undervoltage caused by a failing battery, than a dead battery that causes the problems. However, clipping the leads of a charger to the battery leads as they’re unbolted will maintain power to the car as things are swapped over.

Thanks for that info.