My 2001 S500 L wont start.

[Award86]

Hi all,
I have a 2001 S500 L AMG Guard Edition

I have replaced the spark plugs, coil packs, alternator & battery.

The problem is the car has no power, no lights on the dash or anything.
I thought I had a battery power drain from somewhere. So I put the battery on charge. As soon as I put it on charge, my charger was telling me it was fully charged.
So I put it back in the car, I got lights on the dash, I tried to start the car and NOTHING.
I took the terminals off again and cleaned them with a wire brush, put them back on the battery and once again I have zero power. No lights or anything.

So do any of you good ladies and gents have a clue with what might be going on here and what I can do to get the car started?

Many thanks in advance.

 

[Blobcat]

Do you get any click or acknowledgment that the key is in the ignition?
Have you a second key you can try?

 

[Award86]

Hi and thanks for your reply.

I don’t have a second key I’m afraid.

I did get a clicking, as if the car wanted to start. But the lights on the dash went out within seconds of attempting to start her.

Thanks

 

[Award86]

I would also like to state, the car will start with a jump start!

 

[davidsl500]

Is the new battery faulty? Disconnect battery and attach jump leads to battery leads and see if it starts...

 

[alexanderfoti]

That sounds to me like there is a bad connection somwhere.

Check the other end of the ground cable at the battery side.

Also, check the cable into the battery clamps themselves.

If all good there, try a second battery. Its possible with a shorted cell to see a good voltage, but not have any current carrying capability. If possible, measure battery voltage whilst connecting.

 

[Award86]

Thanks for all your replies.
I disconnected the battery and connected a jump pack direct to the cables. I managed to get lights on the dash and the turn her over. The jump pack just wasn’t strong enough to fire her up.

A new battery has been ordered. I’m truly hoping this is it.

The biggest problem is, Mercedes’ dealers/showrooms, parts department can’t even find my car via the reg or VIN.
I paid for a vehicle history check to be completed online and they have returned saying my car isn’t an import. So why Merc can’t find my car is beyond me. Really struggling to find parts I may need or want to change in the near future.
Any thats for a later discussion, if one is needed.

Thanks again and I’ll keep you all posted when I’ve discovered more.

Take care all

 

[davidsl500]

Do also check as @alexanderfoti suggested for a possible bad battery earth connection where it grounds to the body etc. The less resistance the easier the starting ...

 

[davidsl500]

@Award86 Did the new battery sort your problem?

 

[mioba]

He probably struggle to get the right part no.

 

[Award86]

@Award86 Did the new battery sort your problem?

Hi, I put a new battery on it last Friday, it was running and drove great. Go to get in it today and the battery is dead.

I’m at a lose now as where to begin looking for the issue

 

[NJS5]

Sounds like parasitic battery drain. Hope this may help:-

Top 7 Systems that Cause Battery Drain Problems

1. Seat Control Module / Power Seat Motor
2. Audio System /AGW/amplifier
3. Radio/ CD changer/ navigation unit
4. Lights including light in the glove box
5. Heated Seats Module
6. Proximity Key / Keyless start
7. Aftermarket alarm

 

[Craiglxviii]

With this car, the COMAND 2.5 can quite easily induce a parasitic drain big enough to kill the car overnight, if certain parts of it fail.

Ditto voltage regulator/ diode pack on the alternator!

I had both these issues on my 2000MY CL500- same platform, engine and COMAND as the OP’s car.

 

[Award86]

Sounds like parasitic battery drain. Hope this may help:-

Thanks, I’ll look into these when I got a chance.
Thanks again

 

[Award86]

With this car, the COMAND 2.5 can quite easily induce a parasitic drain big enough to kill the car overnight, if certain parts of it fail.

Ditto voltage regulator/ diode pack on the alternator!

I had both these issues on my 2000MY CL500- same platform, engine and COMAND as the OP’s car.

Thanks I’ll investigate this.
Cheers