CLK Battery Dead Please help

[AdGizmo]

Hi folks, my first post on here so be kind.

I have 1998 Clk 320 coupe.

About two weeks ago I noticed the abs bar warning lights come on. It drove fine so I just left it. I read a few posts saying it was due to a build up on the censor etc.

Anyway, today after a cold week I had been driving for about a mile when the 'battery charge' read on the dashboard, but worryingly the power steering seemed to cut out!!

It was drivable so I managed to drive the rest of the way to work where I put the battery on charge.

Question 1 - top right of the engine bay I found what I think is the positive connector, the nip which is best described as a rounded large bolt about two inches further in, is that the best neg port?

Anyway 10 hours later I started the car, it started fine but exact same problem!

As I was driving it was blowing cold air, wouldn't warm up, so I turned air off, radio off etc an for about two miles it drove better, steering loosened up a little.

But that's where it ended, all of a sudden the lights went out an I lost power.

I crawled to a lay by and left it put. Enough battery power for radio and lights but it won't start, I've tried jump starting it and nothing.

From my very inexperienced views I have done or noted the below:

There is no spark when I connect the terminals, not even a direct cross of +/- is this likely to be the two connectors? Hence why it is not charging or allowing a jump?

Also silly I know but I can't actually find the battery! Just them two connectors I was tying to describe!

Points I need to know really. Is this likely to be a battery problem or more serious of power steering pump etc?

Any help would be much appreciated as my car is currently sat on a bypass ( in liverpool!) so might not have any wheels left if I don't fix it soon!

Thanks

Adam

 

[topdown]

The battery is in boot. Your alternator / steering pump belt could be failing. Suggest you get a mechanic to check it out.

 

[AdGizmo]

Topdown thanks for replying. I found the battery, I tried just connecting a charger direct to the battery as I would normally and not the points under the hood (which I've never seen the like of before) and I had a bit of a spark, as in I new it was working! The reading said very low power on the battery but out of interest I started it up and worked just fine. So I've left it on full charge and hopefully tomo will be able to run on its own. If it does, and no problems I can narrow it down to the battery and then just replace it. As you said it might be something more serious than the battery so didn't want to waste my time buying a bat to only find out it was going to cost 100's to get right.

Cheers

 

[dozypillock]

Topdown thanks for replying. I found the battery, I tried just connecting a charger direct to the battery as I would normally and not the points under the hood (which I've never seen the like of before) and I had a bit of a spark, as in I new it was working! The reading said very low power on the battery but out of interest I started it up and worked just fine. So I've left it on full charge and hopefully tomo will be able to run on its own. If it does, and no problems I can narrow it down to the battery and then just replace it. As you said it might be something more serious than the battery so didn't want to waste my time buying a bat to only find out it was going to cost 100's to get right.

Cheers

Based on the above post, it is probably NOT battery as it seems the alternator, and steering pump are run off same belt, both faults affected by what you described?
I do not know the car, but would check the belt first? Got to be cheaper than a battery, then a belt?
Charging the battery will obviously take a "load" off the belt, thereby looking like all is well again?

Neil

 

[AdGizmo]

Neil thanks for reply,I've only just seen it.

You were right it's the belt. What is actually called? So far I've seen it be called the alternator pully, drive belt, serpentine belt and V belt! Do all these refe to the same thing!

I just want to be sure for what I'm ordering.

I've put on a full belts and pullys before for various tractors and grass cutters so I'm confident I can change this however I'm struggling to find which is the tensioner pully.
Does anyone know which size socket is best to use? Just so I know I'm looking in the right area.

Any pics or diagrams would be great, thanks

 

[topdown]

If you google changing drive belt on CLK 320 it will give you some info. Before you do anything make a drawing of how the belt goes round the pulleys. The tensioner needs to be 'locked' with a pin or an allen key. It could be that if the belt looks good the tensioner may need replacing.