Battery disconnection

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Wild1

Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2016
Messages
34
Location
Fraser's Hill, Malaysia
Car
Mercedes C200 Estate / Mercedes E250
I am very new to Mercedes and I have read many things about the high tech electronics inside the car. I have also read that you should not disconnect the battery otherwise need to reset everything.
I have recently purchased the C Class Estate w203 2001 model. I was thinking of changing the battery because it has been some time since changed according to the previous owner.
Is there anything I need to know or do I just disconnect and then fix the new one?
Are there any things that need setting once the new battery is reconnected?
 
What I had them do when changing the battery of my S203 was to connect a spare battery to the additional +ve terminal under the red cover, under the bonnet back near side, -ve to the top of the suspension, then disconnect the battery remembering that the wires are still live, fit the new battery then disconnect the spare. That way nothing goes dead! Had that done at ATS, but others like Halfords can no doubt do the same if you tell them.
 
If another battery is not fitted and just simply disconnected what are the consequences for this car? C Class w203 Estate 2001 model.
 
Your car manual should explain what needs to be done after a battery swap. Manuals never suggest temporary power feed. If properly done, does not harm at all but for an inexperienced user there is a risk for serious damage. At least a decent fuse should be used for the temporary power feed.

If the battery goes flat or is disconnected, you need to normalise windows and the sunroof. I believe a 2001 W203 needs steering wheel angle sensor calibration too (if ESP warnings appear, turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock a couple of times).

COMAND would not need any security code, I cannot remember if the standard radio still does on a 2001 W203. Check from the radio manual (hopefully someone confirms this but I assume it needs a code).
 
Thanks again for the info,
If I may let me explain a little more detail, I have very recently bought the car and I am new to owning a Mercedes. I don't have the manual for the car and in the interim have ordered from the UK the Haynes book but it has not arrived yet. I live in Malaysia and the Mercedes garages here that have tried are not willing to explain anything, it is like everything is a trade secret so then you have to go to them only to get even basic things checked and repaired and as a result they screw your eyes out. I am by no stretch of the imagination a mechanic but I do think there would be some things that one can do without sending to a Mercedes specialist. Am I correct??
 
all Mercedes people think they are the only people in the world who can fix these cars.

I had 1 quote me £1200 for a job where the parts were £20 and another telling me what was wrong with it, we it was nothing of the sort.

I bought a Mercedes scanner (I980) and fixed the problem myself.

yes you can fix these cars without having to plug it into a machine. they will all tell you that you need to do that.
 
all Mercedes people think they are the only people in the world who can fix these cars.

I had 1 quote me £1200 for a job where the parts were £20 and another telling me what was wrong with it, we it was nothing of the sort.

I bought a Mercedes scanner (I980) and fixed the problem myself.

yes you can fix these cars without having to plug it into a machine. they will all tell you that you need to do that.

Not really related to the car battery but I find it odd that you first say you bought a scanner and fixed the problem and then say there is no need for a scanner.

Agree that it does not have to be at the MB workshop and not always a genuine tool or the like. Quite often it is possible to repair the car, even electrical issues without a scanner but most often a good scanner makes it much easier.
 
Thanks again for the info,
If I may let me explain a little more detail, I have very recently bought the car and I am new to owning a Mercedes. I don't have the manual for the car and in the interim have ordered from the UK the Haynes book but it has not arrived yet.

OK, download a copy from the MBUSA website. Covers US cars but most of the stuff is the same for all market areas.
 

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