Dead Battery caused havoc

[Rob-Suffolk]

My CLK 320 is currently parked up in the garage for winter and it looks like it is turning out to be a bad decision.

I have been starting it and letting it idle for an hour a week to keep the battery topped up but went out to it last week and I had left the door slightly open so dead battery. Pulled the battery put it on charge yesterday (intelligent charger so battery recharged correctly). I put the battery back on today and first of all 2 faults showed on the dashboard ABS & Brake assist, these wernt there last time it ran so unsure while they have lit up. Anyone shed any light on this.
Second problem is the gearbox I drove out of the garage and left it to idle for an hour to warm everything. I went to put it away and it has stuck in Park, I tried everything the handbook suggests even disconnected the battery but no joy. As it was blocking my other cars and the garage door open I reverted to the pencil in the over ride to move it back in. Can anyone suggest what would cause this fault to a car sitting in a dry garage under covers that gets started and moved on a weekly basis?

I have been struggling to justify owning this car but I am now really getting grief of SWMBO. Any help on these faults would be appreciated

 

[markjay]

BAS / ESP errors are normal if the battery voltage was low.

The ECU disables these features as the data input can not be relied on.

These should go away on their own once the battery is fully charged (possibly only after a few engine restarts).

Not sure about the P issue though.

 

[mejermy]

On the W210 (poss others) there is a detent which is electrically driven and apparently sticks shut, preventing the shift out of park if the rear third brake light fails. I know, Iknow; which Einstein thought this one up? Happened to me once and the agent simply told me to insert a pen or pencil in a slot at the rear of the shifter slot and manually open the detent. Suggets try that. It may be that low voltage alone can cause this. Too clever for their own good these latest models.

 

[Howard]

Once you start it , turn the wheel from lock to lock twice and this will cancel the BAS / ESP errors.

The best way to keep it working properly is to use it.

 

[Rob-Suffolk]

On the W210 (poss others) there is a detent which is electrically driven and apparently sticks shut, preventing the shift out of park if the rear third brake light fails. I know, Iknow; which Einstein thought this one up? Happened to me once and the agent simply told me to insert a pen or pencil in a slot at the rear of the shifter slot and manually open the detent. Suggets try that. It may be that low voltage alone can cause this. Too clever for their own good these latest models.

Just checked all lights working so cant be that but thanks for the tip

 

[mr. shr]

ABS fault is normal after battery has been disconnected. Just turn steering wheel lock to lock a couple of times and the faults should clear.

Not sure if leaving car to idle for an hour is a good idea. Would probably be better taking it for a half hour drive, I reckon.

 

[Rob-Suffolk]

MR SHR & HOWARD, Thankyou that has sorted that fault. The Park issue is still rather worrying though.

I made what has turned out to be a bad choice at the start of winter and decided as the car is in such good condition I would store it for winter rather than use it on the salted roads and put it on storage insurance and cancelled the tax. I am regretting this now as to date the heater has packed in the starting sensor is tempramental and now this park issue. To top it all off she wants me to get rid and just keep the old Shogun I picked up for the winter

 

[jaymanek]

Not using cars regularly is the quickest way to get yourself niggly faults.

I would advise a battery conditioner which will keep your battery perfect.
Even so, the car should be driven every few weeks to keep things working.

 

[CKLclive]

I agree with jaymanek running the car just for an hour is bad for the engine and gearbox it needs a run especially if kept in a cold damp garage, and a low battery
will bring up all sorts of faults with the electronics trust me I am a mercedes specialist

 

[Rob-Suffolk]

I agree with jaymanek running the car just for an hour is bad for the engine and gearbox it needs a run especially if kept in a cold damp garage, and a low battery
will bring up all sorts of faults with the electronics trust me I am a mercedes specialist

As I am finding out to my cost it was a bad choice. I have kept cars like this before for much longer than this and what I thought to be more tempermental makes, rover, Range Rovers etc and never had this sort of problem before.

As for the stuck in park problem is this likely down to a solonoid/relay or is it more likely mechanical?

 

[rorf]

A dead or deteriorating battery will cause all sorts of problems on these Mercs with all the electronic modules etc. If storing, remove the battery and trickle charge it every 6 weeks. Starting it once a week is a total killer.

 

[Nick Torregiani]

I have a dead battery as I left the door open and cannot open the boot to get at the battery the key will not turn the lock help please

 

[grumpyoldgit]

I have a dead battery as I left the door open and cannot open the boot to get at the battery the key will not turn the lock help please

I don't know if the CLK has a jump lead terminal under the bonnet the same as some other Mercs, if it has connect another battery and use the boot release to open it.

If not you will need to douse the boot lock with WD40 or similar and keep working the key in it. There are plenty of threads about this on here as it's a very common thing for people to forget about lubricating the lock until they find themselves in your situation.

Use the site Search to find other posts with plenty of advice.

 

[s4rap]

I have a 430clk in storage,I normally swap the batt every couple of months by connecting a batt to the positive connection under the bonnet and the negative on the engine somewhere.Not had any problems but I'm always on pins when taking the older battery off, hoping the boot light doesn't go out !!!

 

[E270 Owner]

If your going to park it up for the winter do just that don't fiddle around with it.

Disconnect the earth lead from the battery and forget it till you want to use it again.

 

[grober]

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/engine/125131-clk-320-stuck-park.html