battery or alternator

[mikeoldskool]

hello all just of late been having probs with my w202 m-reg starting i run the car yesterday for nearly 1 hour just did about 20 miles round trip got back home went back to it an hour or so later would not start all the lights went dim and got a clicking noise so i got it jump started no probs run for about 10 mins all was fine went back to it and it started no probs took my son to his mates house the other side of town came home parked up for the night went back to it this morn at half 10 all lights dim again an a clicking noise and very very slow turning over got another jump start all ok its been stood in a car park while i was watching son playing football went back to started 1st time got home had a bite to eat went out to it 1 hour later and again it wont start do i need a new battery or alternator the battery i have on it at present is mercedes own or is the alternator not putting enough charge back into it

 

[bennesspipers]

Sounds very much like you need to take the battery off the car & get it fully charged & tested by someone who'll know if its up to the task, if that passes the test then your alternator has got to be suspect.

 

[mikeoldskool]

anybody know what size and amp the battery should be the 1 fitted at present is 12v 280 amp is it the right size ???????

 

[bennesspipers]

280 amp !! that must be as big as a tractor battery ! I would have THOUGHT 75amp,although mine's running quite happily on a 55 amp.

 

[mikeoldskool]

sorry sorry its says on the battery 12v 62ah 280 does that make any sense ?

 

[Merc Owner 2B]

I presume the lights etc are OK when driving which would usually show that the alternator is working fine. 99.9% sure to be your battery.

The other 0.1% is for a faulty alternator not properly retifying the ac current. This is very rare though. The voltage drives the electrics but is unsuitable to charge a battery. Very rae as I said though.

 

[andy27168]

Hi,
Just had a quote for my cars for a battery,
1997, C230K has a 096, fitted for £68 lifetime quarentee
1999, C43 AMG has a 017, fitted for £79 lifetime quarentee
Both batteries are made by Yuasa
I would imagine that yours would be the same as the C230K i think they,re 100A.

 

[Merc Owner 2B]

sorry sorry its says on the battery 12v 62ah 280 does that make any sense ?

That's a 62 amp (hour) battery. Could the 280 be actually 680 as this would be about right for the cold cranking current.

 

[AANDYY]

I think 280 will be cold cranking amps, CCA but it does sound low for that.

 

[mikeoldskool]

thanks for the input on this thread when running all lights are fine i think new battery needed and more ampage ive just tried agian to start it of a booster pack but no joy all lights on instrument panel look very dim so ill take it of 2mo eve and charge it and i can check battery cells to see if they are low

 

[Merc Owner 2B]

thanks for the input on this thread when running all lights are fine i think new battery needed and more ampage ive just tried agian to start it of a booster pack but no joy all lights on instrument panel look very dim so ill take it of 2mo eve and charge it and i can check battery cells to see if they are low

Yes, you don't want to be boosting your delicate electronics too many times!

Best of luck mate.

 

[mikeoldskool]

ill find out the outcome of this prob on wednesday eve

 

[Ted]

Do what Bennesspipers says.

 

[grober]

If your battery is more than 3-4 "winters" [years] old buy a new battery. 62 amp hour battery is OKish but better going for a 74amp hour if its a petrol or 100amp hour if its diesel. VARTA Dynamic or Bosch Silver from HALFORDS,ECP or even an MB branded one from you local MB commercial spares counter!

 

[mikeoldskool]

got in from work at 5 this eve got a jump start on the car no probs put a voltage meter on battery reading 13.65 take son to footie traning 5 miles away park car up for 1 hour come back to it it starts again voltage meter reading was 13.72 all lights radio heater on came home had my tea at 7.30 went out to it at 8.45pm starts no probs battery reading 12.8 im gonna leave it till in the morn to see if the battery looses anyvolts overnight if so it wont start the car

 

[mikeoldskool]

hello all back again here is the update charged the battery on tuesday eve for 12 hours i put the battery on yesterday tea time when i got in from work it was reading 12.04 on voltage meter but it wouldnt start got a jump start it was bit eractic on idle tickover but then settled down when got warm i went out in it for half hour last night came home parked it up went back to it at half 5 this eve lights were dim wouldnt start but voltage meter reading was showing 11.78 tried to jump start it but kept getting a clicking noise i wonder weather my starter motor is causing this clicking noise battery on meter reading saying 11.78 / 80 i thought this would be enough to turn engine over but still no joy hmmmmmmmm this is doing my head in

 

[Ted]

What is the voltage at the battery terminals when you are attempting to turn over?
Less than about 10, especially when you have charged it, and the battery is shot.

 

[grober]

How old is the battery??

 

[mikeoldskool]

i dont know how old the battery is ive only had the car 1 year so maybe the battery could be older which if that the case a new 1 will be required

 

[Merc Owner 2B]

hello all back again here is the update charged the battery on tuesday eve for 12 hours i put the battery on yesterday tea time when i got in from work it was reading 12.04 on voltage meter but it wouldnt start got a jump start it was bit eractic on idle tickover but then settled down when got warm i went out in it for half hour last night came home parked it up went back to it at half 5 this eve lights were dim wouldnt start but voltage meter reading was showing 11.78 tried to jump start it but kept getting a clicking noise i wonder weather my starter motor is causing this clicking noise battery on meter reading saying 11.78 / 80 i thought this would be enough to turn engine over but still no joy hmmmmmmmm this is doing my head in

Clicking noise is from starter solenoid because the battery is no good. Change the battery and all will be well. Volt readings are one thing but don't tell the whole story.

I presume you've checked that the engine earth strap is OK? Can cause similar symptoms if loose or worn. From what I've read though, it's your battery at fault.