CLK w209 need some help in Manchester

[Whatuser]

Hi all,

My Mrs took my CLK up to Manchester to spend Christmas with her family, with the cold weather on Christmas Eve the battery seems to have died. They managed to get it started, but the car was very sluggish. It started up ok the next day, but after calling me, she took it halfords to replace the (18 year old) batter. With the battery changed, it started like a champ, however on the way back she noticed the turn signals were not working, later more and more electrical issues started to appear, wing mirrors stop working, heated seats, rear window defrosters, and a few warning messages appeared on the dashboard. She took the car back to Halfords garage today, but they said they got 50 errors on their scan and couldn't help. She is currently pregnant, and naturally this has not helped her stress levels today .

My guess, they blew out one or all of the SAM modules when the battery was changed.

I'm down in Watford, so can't really do much, but can anyone recommend an indy specialist in North Manchester?
MercAid (Mercedes Repairs Manchester With Mercaid Manchester Ltd) is near where she is, but when I called no one picked up, they may be closed for the holidays, or even out of business for all I know.

 

[AMGeed]

With the problems your wife was experiencing makes me wonder if the alternator is charging the new battery.
The symptoms do point to low voltage.
Sorry, can't help with a N. Manchester indy. Wrong end of the country for me.

 

[Whatuser]

With the problems your wife was experiencing makes me wonder if the alternator is charging the new battery.
The symptoms do point to low voltage.
Sorry, can't help with a N. Manchester indy. Wrong end of the country for me.

Hi AMGeed,
Thanks for your thoughts.
That did cross my mind as well, but the alternator was replaced earlier this year, so I would be quite surprised if it was. And if indeed it is the alternator, that raises even more questions.

 

[AMGeed]

Was just a thought pal. Must be worrying for your missus.
I hope it gets sorted soon

 

[Eddy77]

I’d put money on the alternator having died. If the sam’s were blown it wouldn’t have run at all to start with. The fact it started fine and then gradually things stopped working on the way back points to the battery not charging. Duff alternator, that’s my guess. Even if it was replaced earlier this year, new parts can often develop faults for whatever reason. And as I’ve said many times on here, a clk with low battery does really bloody odd things. I thought my car was totally knackered when the battery suddenly started to die. All sorts of weird behaviour. New battery and all was well.

 

[Whatuser]

I’d put money on the alternator having died. If the sam’s were blown it wouldn’t have run at all to start with. The fact it started fine and then gradually things stopped working on the way back points to the battery not charging. Duff alternator, that’s my guess. Even if it was replaced earlier this year, new parts can often develop faults for whatever reason. And as I’ve said many times on here, a clk with low battery does really bloody odd things. I thought my car was totally knackered when the battery suddenly started to die. All sorts of weird behaviour. New battery and all was well.

While it would surprise me, it certainly does make sense. You would think that the guys at halfords garage would have tested that, and checked the battery drain, but you never know.. Hopefully find a specialist up there that knows what he's doing and what to look for..

 

[Trickythemerc]

When you got the car started did you jump it from another car ? If you did this is the most likely cause of blowing modules and frying stuff. There are a couple of Merc specialist in Manchester if you do a google search it should bring them up.

 

[Martin 1]

Hiya Whatuser, the CANbus electrical systems on modern cars are dramatically affected by small voltage drops, I don't believe anything's fried. Have you got recovery ? having the car would make things much easier. I'm with Eddy, A failing alternator explains why the battery failed in the first place. As for Halfords making any checks, you're kidding. I feel for you and your Wife and hope this gets sorted quickly. The most it's going to cost is an alternator so don't worry.

 

[Whatuser]

When you got the car started did you jump it from another car ? If you did this is the most likely cause of blowing modules and frying stuff. There are a couple of Merc specialist in Manchester if you do a google search it should bring them up.

I believe they did jump start it, but I was not there. However the car started ok the next day, and she drove to halfords without problems. Issues started after the battery was swapped over.

 

[Whatuser]

Hiya Whatuser, the CANbus electrical systems on modern cars are dramatically affected by small voltage drops, I don't believe anything's fried. Have you got recovery ? having the car would make things much easier. I'm with Eddy, A failing alternator explains why the battery failed in the first place. As for Halfords making any checks, you're kidding. I feel for you and your Wife and hope this gets sorted quickly. The most it's going to cost is an alternator so don't worry.

Thanks, I hope it is that simple, would just be annoying and a bit suspect to have 2 alternators fail less than six months apart. I've tried to call a few of the numbers but seems like most are closed for the holidays. Only one that has answered is dronsfield and they are fully booked until next week.

Mercedes Servicing | Dronsfields

www.dronsfields.com

 

[Trickythemerc]

Get the battery fully charged on a slow charge and the see what you get, if the problems go away then low battery voltage was the cause. Either way the charge rate needs looking at. The danger in jump starting from another vehicle is voltage spike, basically its two alternators fighting each other till something goes pop.

 

[Martin 1]

Jump starting a CLK is perfectly safe providing the remote positive is connected and not the battery, it's also easier. We've been jump starting cars for decades, and if the cables are disconnected within 3 or 4 minutes there's no risk of voltage spike. Sorry Tricky, I'm really not trying to start an argument.

 

[Whatuser]

Hey guys, had the car taken into Dronsfields yesterday. They looked at it and concluded that it was the Rear SAM unit. It has been replaced and is supposedly working well now. Will have to check it out and keep an eye on things.

 

[Martin 1]

Bloody good news ! Do let us know if it really is OK. Happy New Year.