Heated Seats and Auxiliary Battery Malfunction

[Little Poppy]

I have owned an E 220D 2016 from new, it has 45,000+ miles on the clock. It's a fabulous car and I haven't had one single issue with it. However last week I was in a meeting that was extremely cold with no heating so in my lunch break I went and sat in the car and turned the heated seats on to warm me. I did not turn the engine on. After five minutes, an emergency Red warning flashed on the dashboard that said: Auxiliary Battery Malfunction. I drove the car home - only 5 miles, and then rang my local Mercedes dealer, who said they would send someone out to look at it. An RAC chap subsequently came out and said the car needed a new auxiliary battery and he would report back to the main dealer. This he duly did, but then the dealer told me that they could they could not even look at the car until 19th of January then would want £190 to examine it before installing a new auxiliary battery. I can't wait this long without a car, so I then rang companies that come out to install new batteries and none of them had an auxiliary battery and again pointed me in the direction of the main dealer. I subsequently telephoned another main dealer in the next county to where I live and I have an appointment this Wednesday to have a new battery fitted. In the meantime, they have told me I can use the car gently, but not to go more than 100 miles. With his knowledge, I went to do a supermarket shop this morning, which is only 5 miles away and the warning light came on but this ti. me it was red - not white, however, it disappeared completely after quarter of an hour. On the way back from the shop, the warning light did not come on at all. I am now wondering whether or not I drained the battery by turning my heated seats on in the absence of having the engine running and that the auxiliary battery could be okay and doesn't need replacing. I've rang so many people to get help with this, and no one seems to really know what is happening. Has anyone experience of this or could give me any pointers about what could have happened please?

 

[drmw]

You did drain the battery. Heated seats take quite a current to run, so by putting it on without the engine running will have pushed it beyond the limits. Give it a reasonable run and it will be fine

 

[Little Poppy]

Ooooh. brilliant - thank you!! I am taking it for a run now, so fingers crossed - I'll report back later.

 

[Little Poppy]

Hello DRMW - just got back after an hour drive 45 miles, and no sign of any warning lights. Thank you so much! I can't tell you how much distress this has caused husband and I in the the last couple of days. We are a one car family and live in a fairly remote area and added to that we are going to use the car next week as our son's wedding car. Husband joins me in sending you our grateful thanks.

 

[drmw]

You are very welcome.
At the end of the day, a 2016 battery could be past it's best, so you might be better lining one up (MB Grangemouth do a good deal)

 

[Srdl]

Welcome to the forum.

My partner has got the message that she shouldn’t use the heated seats if she’s waiting for me in the car with the engine off. The power drain mist be colossal. Hope it’s sorted for good.

PS - the detail under “Your Mercedes” looks strange - you haven’t put in a password by mistake?

 

[mioba]

Typical stealer dealer trying rip you off and their contracted roadside recovery sending you to a dealer.
Enjoy the wedding and good luck for the big day!