W211 Dreaded Visit Workshop Error

[kay187]

Hi all,

I have the dreaded red 'Batt Symbol - Visit Workshop' error on my dashboard since past day or so. I have read up on all the older threads and am aware of the likely causes but just had a few questions which I couldn't get answers on:

1) Where is the best place to get an aux battery from apart from the dealers? I've looked at ECP/GSF but they don't seem to have a listing. There are a few on eBay but shipping will take a while. I am based in Glasgow.

2) Is there any way of disabling the error on the dash? It would flash up now and again but now it remains permanently on with loud beeping, its driving me nuts! The car starts fine and runs no probs though some of the convenience features get disabled after a few mins then the beeping starts.

I've still to measure the voltage on both batteries which I will do later tonight.

Just to also add my serpentine belt recently broke and was replaced along with the idle pulley about 2 weeks, car working fine after it was done. Also the main battery was replaced 18months ago.

Car is a W211 '04 E320CDI.

Cheers.

 

[StuggyZX10]

Looks like you have exactly the same problem as me....I am in Cumbernauld so not to far away...ECP have the auxiliary battery under the bonnet in stock it's £67 and its listed as a memory battery, I got one last week, and to answer your second question the warning light cant be reset ....you could be lucky and it might only need a battery, most likely the auxillary one according to most posts....but you can check that easily with a multimeter..check both batterys...I too read up on all the threads, but I have low output over battery terminals so it either my alternator or the regulator on the back of the alternator but euro car parts have both in stock the small battery is the first one listed for the car on the site....hopefully you will get sorted

 

[kay187]

Looks like you have exactly the same problem as me....I am in Cumbernauld so not to far away...ECP have the auxiliary battery under the bonnet in stock it's £67 and its listed as a memory battery, I got one last week, and to answer your second question the warning light cant be reset ....you could be lucky and it might only need a battery, most likely the auxillary one according to most posts....but you can check that easily with a multimeter..check both batterys...I too read up on all the threads, but I have low output over battery terminals so it either my alternator or the regulator on the back of the alternator but euro car parts have both in stock the small battery is the first one listed for the car on the site....hopefully you will get sorted

Right ok I see it now on their site, listed as memory battery as you mentioned.

I checked the voltage on the dashboard with car turned off and it seems to be reporting 11.3V which indicates possible issue with main battery. My multimeter given up on me so could not measure with car turned on and the error won't let me check on the dash. What output are you getting on the terminals?

 

[DY2]

A good charged battery, you should see 12.5v at the battery.
With the engine running, you should see 14.0v

I recently put in a new bosch alternator

 

[duncanh]

When I got that message I needed a new alternator. There was nothing wrong with the battery.

 

[kay187]

A good charged battery, you should see 12.5v at the battery.
With the engine running, you should see 14.0v

I'm gonna try another voltmeter and see what I get tonight. I hope to God it not the alternator!

I seen on other threads it could be the alt regulator, how would I check and where can I get one if needed? Sorry for all the questions but this couldn't have happened at a worse time

 

[DY2]

I know what you mean about happening at the worse time. Mine happened on a Friday night, 2 miles from home in the pouring of rain... The walk was not nice. Fortuantely I still had the battery that I had changed only 2 days before, so I managed to swap them over and get her home, just about...

Im not sure there is a way to test it, without removing the alternator from the car anyway.
If its a bosch alternator, then you can locate the nearest service center on their website, where you can purchase just the reg pack... this is what I have read from others, its not something ive looked into myself. I replaced the whole unit.

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=109529

 

[StuggyZX10]

You will need the correct prt number of the alternator to purchase the correct regulator if that is what has gone on the alternator??... they are a few different regulators for sale on that fleabay auction site...i have just booked mine into shandon electrical in bellshill, my company has used them in the past for various vehicle alternators/startors and had no problems, i have been quoted £300 fully fitted, i could fit it myself but i wont have the time now due to work commitments so leaving it to them as i think its a reasonable price...as you are in Glasgow a couple of recommended Merc independant's are T.J. O'Neill in Carntyne industrial estate, and Mercedescarspecialists in Ibrox business park both have websites ..and will help you if stuck

 

[kay187]

You will need the correct prt number of the alternator to purchase the correct regulator if that is what has gone on the alternator??... they are a few different regulators for sale on that fleabay auction site...i have just booked mine into shandon electrical in bellshill, my company has used them in the past for various vehicle alternators/startors and had no problems, i have been quoted £300 fully fitted, i could fit it myself but i wont have the time now due to work commitments so leaving it to them as i think its a reasonable price...as you are in Glasgow a couple of recommended Merc independant's are T.J. O'Neill in Carntyne industrial estate, and Mercedescarspecialists in Ibrox business park both have websites ..and will help you if stuck

Is that for a whole new alternator or just the regulator? Yeh I'm aware of the garages you mentioned, I've used Merc Car Specialists before and it they were ok pricewise though missed a crucial nut that needed to be tightened when doing my injectors causing diesel leakage so was not that impressed.....

I may attempt it myself weather permitting but want to be sure it's the alternator before I shell out the £££££. The battery seems to be dead so will need to try a jump start when I get home after work.

 

[kay187]

Ok main battery shows 11.7v when it wouldn't start so stuck a charging pack on it which charges all the way to 12.7v but battery doesn't go up any further. Front battery remains on 12.1v. car wouldn't start so jump started it.

Car now started and main battery voltage drops right down to 10.6v! Turning it off it goes up a bit to 11v so means I've got a drain somewhere. Would a dodgy alternator cause this? I also checked the aux relay under the washer rubber thingy and it also gives 10.6v could this be the culprit?

Any advice would be much appreciated, as this is drivin me nuts

 

[GordonTarling]

If the system were good, then anything that could drag the voltage that low would be glowing and smoking! My money is on a duff alternator - most garages should be able to easily check it for you.

 

[television]

Yes alternator has failed, what 211 is it please

 

[kay187]

It's a '04 e320 cdi

 

[kay187]

I have noticed a lot of grease on the block right next to the alternator with pipe/wire covered in black filth. The alternator itself looks spotless though. Can't see any leaks anywhere but it may be possible residue from the black death issue I had few months back. Looks like I'll be shelling out for an alternator then.

 

[television]

Then water cooled I think, we did have a member recently that dismantled his and changed the reg pack, but that depends on if Bosch or Valeo

 

[StuggyZX10]

Is that for a whole new alternator or just the regulator? Yeh I'm aware of the garages you mentioned, I've used Merc Car Specialists before and it they were ok pricewise though missed a crucial nut that needed to be tightened when doing my injectors causing diesel leakage so was not that impressed.....

I may attempt it myself weather permitting but want to be sure it's the alternator before I shell out the £££££. The battery seems to be dead so will need to try a jump start when I get home after work.

Its a reconditioned unit fitted by Shandon's and a years guarantee,most company's that fit or supply alternators do so on an exchange basis, they supply you a reconditioned one then you send back yours and they then refund you some ££...if you know the part number of the alternator give Alternator man a call, they have a website..they supply one and uplift yours foc at the same time if you have it off the car... i dropped my car off today, so hopefully its back tomorrow...what i will tell you is that every time we have dropped of any car/van etc...they are always mega busy which in my book is a good sign...

 

[StuggyZX10]

Got my car back on Friday.......all sorted now was the alternator very happy with the price £300 fitted...did you get yours sorted yet

 

[StuggyZX10]

Did you get your car fixed?????????????

 

[Alex Crow]

A quick point here, often it is just the regulator that fails.

These are available from MB for around £50 (actually varies a lot, some cheaper, some more expensive) and can often be fitted without alternator removal.

I do not recommend anyone looks for this type of part on ebay...

 

[television]

A quick point here, often it is just the regulator that fails.

These are available from MB for around £50 (actually varies a lot, some cheaper, some more expensive) and can often be fitted without alternator removal.

I do not recommend anyone looks for this type of part on ebay...

With the limited access it must make a difference if you have fitted one on the bench,,,knowing how it goes must help a lot when doing it in situ