2013 C class - showing red battery icon flashing

[Learner]

Hi Mber's,
This battery icon has started flashing in my car since yesterday, please can someone advise.
This appeared first time when my car was stationary, switched on but has AC on full power with fan working. Then led to my A/C stopping and but fan continued to work (which i stopped).
Since than it's been going in and out, I only seeing this when my car is moving and I loose the display plus some functions when this icon is on

Also is this something covered under : Mercedes-Benz Extended Warranty

Thanks

 

[Martin 1]

That looks like a failing battery, that'll cause those symptoms as the car tries to lower the load.

 

[Learner]

Just been speaking to dealer and they have advised to try charging the battery myself, I do not have the equipment - what are my options for this?

 

[Martin 1]

Frankly, buy a charger. Not expensive, what type depends on the age of your car. I'd go for a smart charger, Ctech etc. again the age is important as it tells the vendor what kind of battery you have. There's loads of help available on here, or on websites. Good luck, and do let us know how you get on.

 

[markjay]

Check the battery voltage from the instrument cluster 'hidden' menu - then drive the car to a 30-minute Motorway drive - then check the battery voltage again.

 

[Learner]

I do have MB road side assistance, wondering if they could be able to help with diagnosis, will they cover this?

Don't want to break down and get stranded on roadside

 

[markjay]

I do have MB road side assistance, wondering if they could be able to help with diagnosis, will they cover this?

Don't want to break down and get stranded on roadside

Check the battery voltage from the instrument cluster 'hidden' menu - then drive the car to a 30-minute Motorway drive - then check the battery voltage again.

There's no point doing anything before you check the battery voltage (with the engine off). It's very easy to do.

See also here:

W204 battery charge voltage reading in speedo cluster ? | Electronics and Audio

Yesterday I called out Mobilo because I had a flat battery on my W204. The engineer that came out jump started it and then was monitoring the voltage values via an engineering menu in the car, but it was being displayed in the centre circle of the speedo. Does anyone know how to access this...

forums.mbclub.co.uk

 

[markjay]

The best charging method for your battery is to be charged by the car's battery management system, BTW (though it's not the most cost-efficient or environmentally friendly way, obviously). So just take the car for a long drive and monitor the battery voltage before and after.

 

[Learner]

Thanks @markjay - I guess will have to buy some tools and go on a 30 min drive

 

[zipdip]

Yes leave the air con off and anything else and just give the car a decent run,then check the battery you could maybe duck into a halfords shop and ask them to check the battery they I think will do it for free I think.

 

[markjay]

Thanks @markjay - I guess will have to buy some tools and go on a 30 min drive

No tools required... just drive the car and monitor the battery voltage via the instrument cluster.

 

[Learner]

It turned out that my car belt has snapped, getting a replacement now hopefully this is the only issue

 

[ShaunB]

Thanks @markjay - I guess will have to buy some tools and go on a 30 min drive

30 minute drive will do very little IMO.
For example, my wife's A200. Stop start not working.
Car was driven 115 miles to the airport, left for a week and driven back home. Still no stop start either direction.
Connected the CTek charger for about 5 hours and stop start working within 3 minutes of leaving home next journey.

 

[mikrt]

30 minute drive will do very little IMO.
For example, my wife's A200. Stop start not working.
Car was driven 115 miles to the airport, left for a week and driven back home. Still no stop start either direction.
Connected the CTek charger for about 5 hours and stop start working within 3 minutes of leaving home next journey.

Stop/start uses an auxiliary battery and operates & charges differently.

 

[ShaunB]

Stop/start uses an auxiliary battery and operates & charges differently.

Maybe so but point being a long drive did not improve anything, charger did

 

[Learner]

Thanks all who responded, the drive belt is fixed now and the warning have disappeared. I hope this is the end of it.