Sleeping in...

[idlerider]

W211 estate. Early morning cold start. Seat heater and rear demist lights flashing but not working; tailgate not working either. After a couple of miles, everything comes on-line again. Normal? - or do I need a new battery?

 

[Blobcat]

Sounds like battery from what you’ve said

 

[dry run]

^ What he said

 

[joderest]

I think you will find that your right hand side giggle socket has detached itself from the left hand side giggle pin !!!

Or it could be you need a new battery

 

[RhodieBill]

Battery - check Alternator also - might not be the Battery...??? But more than likely the Battery.

 

[LostKiwi]

Exactly the same symptoms my 230 gives when the consumer battery is flat.

 

[mioba]

Does the car struggle to start. Does sound like the battery.
The cars tend to shut off certain high power demanding appliances when the battery is low.

check the voltage before start and when at idle to determine if alty is fine. however it does seem based on what you described already.

 

[idlerider]

Should have said: starts, no problem - turns over quick and fires immediately. Or do they have two batteries?

 

[mioba]

No idea if your car has 2 batteries, maybe one for auxiliraies, RTFM as they say

 

[idlerider]

No idea if your car has 2 batteries, maybe one for auxiliraies, RTFM as they say

Thanks for your helpful reply. The Forum is indeed fortunate to have such knowledgable and courteous members.

 

[Oldspanners]

What age is the battery?
Have a look at the terminals, just changed mine it was stamped 06 08 almost 12 years and it still started no problem after sitting outside for a few days but started to throw odd spurious faults.

 

[V6Matty]

S211 does indeed have two batteries, give them both a charge and see how you get on, my previous 211 did this once, have them both a good charge and never saw it again.

 

[mioba]

next question, where are both batteries

 

[V6Matty]

Big one in the boot and the other smaller aux one in the engine bay, near side rear IIRC