W203 Battery

[MBNuB]

My 220CDI is throwing its toys out of the pram at being left on the driveway during the week in this cold weather and displaying a low voltage message when I use it at the weekend.

It's a 2002 Estate and, to my knowledge is still on its original battery. Is it time to give the car a Christmas treat and get a new one? If yes, where from? and, apart from (I assume) keying a code into the radio to re-activate it, is there anything else I need to consider if I change the battery myself?

Alternatively, I have a couple of motor-siccles which are monopolising my trickle chargers. Can I user the 12v socket in the boot to charge the battery, or is this disconnected when the ignition is switched off? If I can't usae that socket, I'll make a direct connection to the battery. It'd just be easier to run a lead out of the tailgate into the garage to a charger. rather than the length of the car.

Thanks in anticipation of your usual advice.
Clive

 

[television]

To the best of my knowledge the boot socket is OK for charging the battery and they are sold for that purpose, and the ignition key need not be in the car

 

[Ellsy Tanners]

Check with mb, its possible it could be changed under a old recall!

 

[duncanh]

Charging W203 estate via the boot

I have a 2002 W203 estate. On mine, the socket in the boot is only live when the ignition is on. Unless yours has been modified (not a big problem as there is a direct power take off in the rear SAM that is used for towbar wiring), I don't see how you can use it to charge the battery.

Also, I don't believe that this model has a radio code.

There are a number of things that need to be done after the battery is replaced, search the forum for details (includes turning steering wheel full lock in both directions and fiddling with the electric windows).

Sounds like a new battery for Christmas is the best idea.

 

[television]

I have a 2002 W203 estate. On mine, the socket in the boot is only live when the ignition is on. Unless yours has been modified (not a big problem as there is a direct power take off in the rear SAM that is used for towbar wiring), I don't see how you can use it to charge the battery.

Also, I don't believe that this model has a radio code.

There are a number of things that need to be done after the battery is replaced, search the forum for details (includes turning steering wheel full lock in both directions and fiddling with the electric windows).

Sounds like a new battery for Christmas is the best idea.

Thanks for the info

 

[MBNuB]

Thanks for the responses, folks.

...there is a direct power take off in the rear SAM that is used for towbar wiring

Can I charge via the towbar electrics?

 

[television]

Thanks for the responses, folks.



Can I charge via the towbar electrics?

The socket that you have could be altered and wired in as a charging socket, MB make the kits for this, though you could alter what you have

 

[MBNuB]

Thank you.
I can see my multi-meter coming out to play over the festive period...
I'll report back.

 

[mister_cee333]

apart from (I assume) keying a code into the radio to re-activate it, is there anything else I need to consider if I change the battery myself?

If you connect jump leads from another car/battery to your battery leads while changing the battery then your car doesn't lose it's power feed and you won't need to reset anything.

 

[Blobcat]

If you connect jump leads from another car/battery to your battery leads while changing the battery then your car doesn't lose it's power feed and you won't need to reset anything.

Exactly what I did in the car Park at Cribbs Causeway last year, connected jump leads to +ve terminal in the engine bay. Only note of caution is be careful of the +ve battery lead when taking it off the old battery that it doesn't touch anything. As you have taken it off the +ve terminal your mind naturally thinks it is dead when in reality you are feeding it from another battery.