It's a funny old world

[Bobthebuilder58]

I have my 500 SEL which I love and lavish lots of attention on.I have it covered with blankets in the garage,I never take it out in the rain, I polish it,I give it maximum attention,.......and I don't even let the wife drive it
Yet twice in the last couple of months It has failed to start because of a flat battery:???: because I don't use it enough.
In contrast I have a 300SE that I am breaking for parts outside in all weathers,that currently has no front wings on,no bumpers,chrome bits missing and has been stood in the same spot since July!!..Yet everytime I need to start it the car fires up straight away
We have just had a week of freezing fog,ice and really damp horrible weather and this morning I needed to move the 300SE !I thought to myself this thing will never start,it must be two months since it as started and that was only for two minutes............guess what???...i turned the key and the car started immediately

Bob.

 

[Hanz]

It just wants some attention and praise

 

[television]

Its time to look on Ebay for some spare parts to put it back together again.

Malcolm

 

[Bobthebuilder58]

It just wants some attention and praise

What's it going to do if i start giving it lots of attention and praise?????
Is it going to be naughty like the 500 SEL in the garage??

Bob.

 

[television]

What's it going to do if i start giving it lots of attention and praise?????
Is it going to be naughty like the 500 SEL in the garage??

Bob.

You are missing the plot, in your own words you say that you get into the 300 and start it up, and move it. Your poor 500 is stuck inside the garage.


Malcolm

 

[hawk20]

I read somewhere in another thread that the modern car is draining a fair amount from the battery even when all is switched off and at rest. I think they showed on a CLK you have 2-3 weeks before the battery has lost so much you cannot start her up. Anyone know the truth on this one??

 

[Bobthebuilder58]

I know!!!!..........I will take the roof off the garage!.....let the elements in!

Bob.

 

[Bobthebuilder58]

I read somewhere in another thread that the modern car is draining a fair amount from the battery even when all is switched off and at rest. I think they showed on a CLK you have 2-3 weeks before the battery has lost so much you cannot start her up. Anyone know the truth on this one??

All I can say about that is my poor neglected scrapper 300SE remains unlocked,unused,unloved,incomplete,dishevelled and yet it still starts first time????.............it beggars belief?
Bob.

 

[Silver Arrow]

It's probably the alarm system. That will pull down the battery quicker than anything else.
If it's in the locked garage, you might try turning it off.

 

[Blobcat]

In Canada at a Chevy Dealer I know they have been told to disconnect the batteries on all the cars sat in the lot to stop the battery drain. As you can imagine this is difficult and time consuming especially when they have to move the cars to clear the snow. My friend at the dealership brought a new Corvette home and it went flat overnight. He didn't know but the car systems would not shut down unless the gear selector was in reverse.

 

[izzi613]

I read somewhere in another thread that the modern car is draining a fair amount from the battery even when all is switched off and at rest. I think they showed on a CLK you have 2-3 weeks before the battery has lost so much you cannot start her up. Anyone know the truth on this one??

I'ts more like a week on my old Avensis and there ain't much kit on that.

It has to be a problem in the future...

 

[Bobthebuilder58]

Victor Meldrew!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't believe it
Here is a update on my thread I have today had to purchase a very expensive new battery for my 500 SEL! Even though I have run it,trickle charged it and prostrated myself in front of it.I have even turned the central heating off in the wifes dressing room to enable me to turn it up in the garage and keep the 500 SEL nice and cosy but to no avail??

Guess what?????? I got the keys to the old scrapper 300SE out turned them in the ignition and the car started instantly?????????

Is it me??

Bob.

 

[television]

In Canada at a Chevy Dealer I know they have been told to disconnect the batteries on all the cars sat in the lot to stop the battery drain. As you can imagine this is difficult and time consuming especially when they have to move the cars to clear the snow. My friend at the dealership brought a new Corvette home and it went flat overnight. He didn't know but the car systems would not shut down unless the gear selector was in reverse.

Í have just downloaded some new MB technical bulitens, where it states that if the battery is left off for too long,the car will have to be re set on Star Diag as everything reverts to the emergancy mode. This is not consumer items or setting and applies as from about 2000 on, so be warned, I know it effects the 230, and the 211.

Malcolm

 

[television]

All I can say about that is my poor neglected scrapper 300SE remains unlocked,unused,unloved,incomplete,dishevelled and yet it still starts first time????.............it beggars belief?
Bob.

The battery drain is lower when the car is locked, than unlocked

Malcolm

 

[Bobthebuilder58]

The battery drain is lower when the car is locked, than unlocked

Malcolm

The car has remained unlocked since last July

Bob.

 

[Hibbo]

Swap the batteries over!

 

[124coupe]

Heck, cars ARE female.....treat em mean and keep em keen!

 

[Bobthebuilder58]

Swap the batteries over!

I thought about doing that but the issue of how long,and how many times will my 300SE scrapper keep starting????has become all consuming in my sad little life

Bob.

 

[Lance]

Can't you start it up regularly and tick it over for a few mins a day?

 

[Hibbo]

If your SEL is kept in a garage all the time, why not rig up a cheap 12v transformer (not a charger) to the battery? (I'd put a fuse as close to the battery connection as you can)
It will only need a wee output to prevent the battery draining.

Have you checked the current drain with everything off? Could a boot light or something be staying on?