Instrument cluster not working - battery related or something else?

[LostKiwi]

Thanks for confirming, yeah I'll have a look around first. Appreciate the help.

I still don't know how to tell if my current battery is AGM or not though? When search it's asking about start stop and my car doesn't have that feature.



Yeah, was like 12.1v before start up, drop to 8-9v on start then go back up to around 13v ish once the car was running.

Going off your previous images and assuming it had the right battery last time
The part number in the G14 matches.

 

[joderest]

running voltage should be higher, at least above 14 volts, suggest you check again, as you could have a charging issue

 

[peterws1957]

So I let it charge all day yesterday and left it overnight, still reading 12.1V before start up, and on start up it's still dropping to around 9V.

So I'm guessing this is more than likely battery related?

Is this the best battery to buy as a replacement?

Varta G14 AGM VRLA REPLACE MERCEDES BENZ A 005 541 10 01 12V 95AH 850A EN/SAE/GS | eBay

Capacity: 95Ah. VARTA G14 (TYPE 019) Silver Dynamic AGM 595 901 085 Battery with 4 Years Warranty. VARTA AGM technology with outstanding performance for powerful engines and highly equipped cars. Short Code: G14.

www.ebay.co.uk

Thanks again everyone for the help, will let you know if the problem is resolved once I change battery's.

If the voltage is dropping to 9v on start up, I'd guess that this is more of a charging issue than a battery issue. You could buy a new battery and find you have the same problem. I'd be getting the alternator checked out at an indie before spending any more cash.

 

[Flyinspanner]

The photo shows where your battery should be.
After charging, let it sit for an hour then check voltage,it allows battery to ‘stabilise’.

the voltage at 12.1 is low, it would probably be lower still an hour later.
(So it’s probably toast!) as you can see, fully charged you are only reaching 40- 50%…
dropping to 9v cranking is another indicator that under stress it’s very poorly.

Engine running, leave lights on, maybe HRW too and check the voltage at the battery it should be somewhere between 13.6 - 15.1 for normal above idle speed - say around 2000 rpm.

the age of battery is usually stamped on top of the terminals month(or week) on one, year on the other.
If it’s around 5 years or more it’s on its last legs, and worth changing anyway.

Always buy a decent battery.

Modern cars are very power hungry with all the differing systems, and are very voltage sensitiv.

 

[Flyinspanner]

Voltage at cranking isn’t really indicative of the charging circuit.

 

[AnthonyUK]

Is that battery from 2008?

 

[Flyinspanner]

Is that battery from 2008?

I was trying to read it too….. maybe week 24, 2008? If so, I think it’s done well

 

[Azazel]

If the voltage is dropping to 9v on start up, I'd guess that this is more of a charging issue than a battery issue. You could buy a new battery and find you have the same problem. I'd be getting the alternator checked out at an indie before spending any more cash.

Tested it again, when the car is off its still at 12.1v, on start up drops to 9.5v and when the car is running its now at 14.5v.

Is that high enough to show the alternator is OK?

 

[Azazel]

The photo shows where your battery should be.
After charging, let it sit for an hour then check voltage,it allows battery to ‘stabilise’.

the voltage at 12.1 is low, it would probably be lower still an hour later.
(So it’s probably toast!) as you can see, fully charged you are only reaching 40- 50%…
dropping to 9v cranking is another indicator that under stress it’s very poorly.

Engine running, leave lights on, maybe HRW too and check the voltage at the battery it should be somewhere between 13.6 - 15.1 for normal above idle speed - say around 2000 rpm.

the age of battery is usually stamped on top of the terminals month(or week) on one, year on the other.
If it’s around 5 years or more it’s on its last legs, and worth changing anyway.

Always buy a decent battery.

Modern cars are very power hungry with all the differing systems, and are very voltage sensitiv.

Thanks for the info, voltage when running is now 14.5v, still the same 12.1 before starting and 9.5 during start up.

The battery could very well be from 2008 as I've had it 4 years and don't know if it was ever changed prior to that.

New G14 Varta has just arrived so I'll fit this and hope that solves the low voltage.

Thanks again to everyone for the info, appreciate the help. Will update if the new battery solved everything later on.

 

[LostKiwi]

Battery is toast. Alternator is fine.
Fingers crossed the new battery fixes it. Even if it doesn't it's a job that needed doing!

 

[peterws1957]

Tested it again, when the car is off its still at 12.1v, on start up drops to 9.5v and when the car is running its now at 14.5v.

Is that high enough to show the alternator is OK?

Yes I would say alternator is ok, if you're getting 14.5v.

 

[mattkh]

New G14 Varta has just arrived

Please check the voltage of the new battery before you fit it, and the voltage when cranking. Thanks.

 

[Azazel]

Please check the voltage of the new battery before you fit it, and the voltage when cranking. Thanks.

Voltage before fitting was 12.7v, and when starting up its now dropping to 10.7v. While running 14.5v.

Had no issues since the new battery has been fitted, feels smoother starting up.

 

[Azazel]

Voltage before fitting was 12.7v, and when starting up its now dropping to 10.7v. While running 14.5v.

Had no issues since the new battery has been fitted, feels smoother starting up.

OK guys unfortunately I'm back.

Gone out today and the clocks are dead again (along with steering wheel controls) everything else is working, car starts fine ect. tested voltage on new battery and its still at the levels when I first fitted it.

Anyone have any ideas on this? Again like previously mentioned in the thread the dials are dead, but the back Lighting on them is staying on even when the car is locked, so eventually it will drain the battery.

The first time this happened the clocks did start working again before I fitted the new battery, what appeared to get them to work was having the battery disconnected for a while.

Since they came back on the first time they've been fine since, fitted new battery still was fine until today.

Thanks again for any feedback

Any pics or videos I can get to aid you just let me know

 

[LostKiwi]

Have you rechecked battery voltage. If the cars not been used for a while it may have dropped.

 

[Azazel]

Have you rechecked battery voltage. If the cars not been used for a while it may have dropped.

Yeah first thing I did, still at the same levels when fitted. 12.7v and 14.5v when running, start up doesn't drop under 11v.

So I'm assuming the battery is fine ?

 

[Azazel]

Any ideas?

Should I be looking to send the clocks off for repair? (Is it even the clocks if the steering wheel controls are not working also?) There's still power going to them cause the back-light stays on and drains the battery. The first time this happened they did come back to life after.

Or should I look into the SAM? Don't know much about it but is there anyway to test it be sure?

Already spent 150 on a battery that didn't resolve the issue, dont want to continue to change parts if it isn't them.

Thanks again, any help appreciated

 

[Tony Dyson]

I would start now with a diagnostic session, DIY with your own scanner or share your location for members to recommend a local MB indy?

 

[Azazel]

I would start now with a diagnostic session, DIY with your own scanner or share your location for members to recommend a local MB indy?

I've asked a friend can I bring it round to him to plug his OB2 in and see if there's any codes showing. Hopefully this gives me an idea of where to look next.

Just curious is there's anything else I can check myself before hand as he's away for a day or 2.

I'm in Cardiff South Wales if anyone can recommend a local MB indy.

 

[LostKiwi]

Already spent 150 on a battery that didn't resolve the issue,

The battery needed doing anyway given it was 12.1v resting and 12.4 is the minimum for a good battery.
If Bristol isn't too far Steve @avantgarde motors would be my recommendation.