Issues with starting 2007 ML

[paulr1]

Hi,
Just returned from a 4 week absence to find my ML W164 won’t start. Battery seems fine, doors open, seats move etc but when I turn the key, absolutely nothing. Then the red lights on the heater controls flash and the clock turns round backwards. When I take the key out the doors lock.
Any ideas ? Could it be the battery as it’s 7 years old ? Probably worth changing the battery anyway ?
TIA

 

[DSK]

Battery is the first place to start. Due to age and it appearing to be dead even though it’s got enough to open/lock doors, replace it. Get a decent one though like Bosch S5 or Varta Silver.


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[sonic]

Battery is the first place to start. Due to age and it appearing to be dead even though it’s got enough to open/lock doors, replace it. Get a decent one though like Bosch S5 or Varta Silver.


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Either above or a long charge ideally with a analyser/charger.

 

[paulr1]

Battery is the first place to start. Due to age and it appearing to be dead even though it’s got enough to open/lock doors, replace it. Get a decent one though like Bosch S5 or Varta Silver.


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Thanks DSK
There is a Yasua in the car and it looks like they are quite easy to get here in rural France, haven’t seen many Vartas on websites - surprising as Yasua are made in Wales

 

[DSK]

Yuasa are not bad. I used them many many years ago when being more hands on, these were a good choice on balance between reliability and price.

My personal recommendations and I’m sure many forum members would agree, is that Bosch S5 and Varta Silver are the go to choices despite being more expensive.

As mentioned above, also worth investing in a battery charger too to help maintain a battery as one needs.


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[Steve@Avantgarde]

In my experience Yuasa are terrible batteries and hate Mercedes models. Their wave form seems to be different.

I always go Varta or Bosch.

 

[DSK]

In my experience Yuasa are terrible batteries and hate Mercedes models. Their wave form seems to be different.

I always go Varta or Bosch.

Good to know and that would explain why some cars don’t like anything other than Bosch and Varta!

Folks hate paying for anything on cars and cheap new batteries were a pain for us so we used Yuasa from a local factors and that seemed to be ok on all the generic stuff we had in. This was some 20 yrs ago after which I’ve always only been using Bosch and recently adding Varta to my trusted list.


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[paulr1]

Thanks once again chaps - would a Bosch S5 A13 be a sensible choice ?

 

[mioba]

If its listed for your car (same dimension and power) then yes.

 

[Steve@Avantgarde]

Good to know and that would explain why some cars don’t like anything other than Bosch and Varta!

Folks hate paying for anything on cars and cheap new batteries were a pain for us so we used Yuasa from a local factors and that seemed to be ok on all the generic stuff we had in. This was some 20 yrs ago after which I’ve always only been using Bosch and recently adding Varta to my trusted list.


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People dont believe me when I fix electrical issues caused by cheap batteries especially when they are brand new. The Halfords stuff, Lion Batteries from Euro and the Yuasa range are some of the biggest causes of problems on Mercs.