I need some help please!
I know this seems to be a common problem but it's difficult to find a succinct thread with all the answers!
My 2003 SL350 with 54K miles has just exhibited it's latest "feature" - the 'red battery - visit workshop' light shows all the time.
Some background... the (original I think) consumer battery was taking longer and longer to get up to charge. I had been using a CTEK charger on it permanently, but it would be taking 15+ minutes of driving to clear the 'electrical consumers offline' message. Then one day the 'red battery - visit workshop' light came on and stayed. I thought this was indicating that, yes, the consumer batery was indeed knackered and need replacing.
I replaced the consumer battery, keeping the electrical system alive by using the OBD2 port. All went fine - but still the red light.
I looked online at all the different forums and saw that there could be a lot of reasons for that red light...
One suggestion was that the light came on because the consumer battery was so poor and that it could be reset via the OBD2 port. Is that correct?
I tried disconnecting and re-connecting the batteries. As it didn't solve the problem when I did it consumer battery first, I tried the other way round and that didn't solve it either.
Next up check the voltages with engine off and running. Starter battery - 12.52V and 14.53V. Consumer battery - 12.56V and 14.19V. I assume this means the alternator is working OK....?
I've seen lots about a K57 relay and BCM that may need to be replaced? What do these components do? And would my car still run if they are kaput? As the car starts, runs and drives fine, what is the problem with me running with the red light warning? What's going to fail?
A long post and lots of questions, I know - but any answers/advice gratefully received.
Ideally, I want to avoid an MB dealer..... LOL
ps the other "features" my R230 has exhibited - so far - include the leaking boot seal (an easy enough fix); the random security alarm horn sounding off (due to PCB damage cause by the leaking rechargeable batteries - replacement siren required); and the "stuck in Park" syndrome (a nasty one and a lot trickier and more daunting - but fixed for the cost of a £40 aluminium part).
pps What other "features" can I expect down the line from MB....?
I know this seems to be a common problem but it's difficult to find a succinct thread with all the answers!
My 2003 SL350 with 54K miles has just exhibited it's latest "feature" - the 'red battery - visit workshop' light shows all the time.
Some background... the (original I think) consumer battery was taking longer and longer to get up to charge. I had been using a CTEK charger on it permanently, but it would be taking 15+ minutes of driving to clear the 'electrical consumers offline' message. Then one day the 'red battery - visit workshop' light came on and stayed. I thought this was indicating that, yes, the consumer batery was indeed knackered and need replacing.
I replaced the consumer battery, keeping the electrical system alive by using the OBD2 port. All went fine - but still the red light.
I looked online at all the different forums and saw that there could be a lot of reasons for that red light...
One suggestion was that the light came on because the consumer battery was so poor and that it could be reset via the OBD2 port. Is that correct?
I tried disconnecting and re-connecting the batteries. As it didn't solve the problem when I did it consumer battery first, I tried the other way round and that didn't solve it either.
Next up check the voltages with engine off and running. Starter battery - 12.52V and 14.53V. Consumer battery - 12.56V and 14.19V. I assume this means the alternator is working OK....?
I've seen lots about a K57 relay and BCM that may need to be replaced? What do these components do? And would my car still run if they are kaput? As the car starts, runs and drives fine, what is the problem with me running with the red light warning? What's going to fail?
A long post and lots of questions, I know - but any answers/advice gratefully received.
Ideally, I want to avoid an MB dealer..... LOL
ps the other "features" my R230 has exhibited - so far - include the leaking boot seal (an easy enough fix); the random security alarm horn sounding off (due to PCB damage cause by the leaking rechargeable batteries - replacement siren required); and the "stuck in Park" syndrome (a nasty one and a lot trickier and more daunting - but fixed for the cost of a £40 aluminium part).
pps What other "features" can I expect down the line from MB....?
