SmoothBall
Senior Member
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2007
- Messages
- 80
- Reaction score
- 2
- Location
- Dublin, Ireland.
- Your Mercedes
- E200 Kompressor W211 2003 1798 cc Petrol
Hi,
Was cleaning the car at the weekend with the radio turned on. Volume was quite high so I could still hear it with the windows up. It was turned on for three hours, and the engine wasn't running.
Afterwards, the battery wouldn't turn the starter motor when I turned the key in the ignition.
I had a similar problem a few months back. (See here.)
Also, about once a fortnight, perhaps once a week, I get the "Convenience features temporarily unavailable" warning in the dashboard. It goes away after a minute or two of the engine starting. I presume this is because the battery's charge is a little low, but is replenished after a few minutes of the alternator recharging it.
I spoke to two MB dealers: one said it's not unreasonable for the battery to be flat after three hours of radio play; the other said it could be a dodgy cell/might be on the way out. Both tried to sell me a 'battery test', one charging £20, the other charging £60 for the privilege.
It's a 2003 W211. I bought it second-hand in 2007, and have never replaced the battery; I don't know if the previous owner did, but I suspect not. The battery's nearly eight years old, in that case.
What are people's thoughts on the condition of my battery? Does it sound like it should be replaced? Are there other aspects that I'm overlooking? All and any advice would be welcome.
Was cleaning the car at the weekend with the radio turned on. Volume was quite high so I could still hear it with the windows up. It was turned on for three hours, and the engine wasn't running.
Afterwards, the battery wouldn't turn the starter motor when I turned the key in the ignition.
I had a similar problem a few months back. (See here.)
Also, about once a fortnight, perhaps once a week, I get the "Convenience features temporarily unavailable" warning in the dashboard. It goes away after a minute or two of the engine starting. I presume this is because the battery's charge is a little low, but is replenished after a few minutes of the alternator recharging it.
I spoke to two MB dealers: one said it's not unreasonable for the battery to be flat after three hours of radio play; the other said it could be a dodgy cell/might be on the way out. Both tried to sell me a 'battery test', one charging £20, the other charging £60 for the privilege.
It's a 2003 W211. I bought it second-hand in 2007, and have never replaced the battery; I don't know if the previous owner did, but I suspect not. The battery's nearly eight years old, in that case.
What are people's thoughts on the condition of my battery? Does it sound like it should be replaced? Are there other aspects that I'm overlooking? All and any advice would be welcome.