Flat battery on W220

[mr. shr]

Hi all,
I've managed to flatten the battery on my W220. My own fault as I've been listening to radio whilst wiring tv tuner through. Then to make matters worse I chose to run my air compressor to inflate tyres, with only inginition on i.e. engine not running.
Halfway through inflating second tyre, compressor started to pulse on and off and dash display said audio ---

Command put up a message saying insufficient power, resetting in 3 mins (or something like that.)

Anyway, now the car wont start.

So my question:

Can I just use my W202 to jump start it?
I'm guessing not as I know there's a bit of a procedure with some cars (like, make sure headlamps are on before connecting battery and make sure driver's door is closed etc.

Is there a similar procedure for the S Class before I go blowing something delicate (and expensive)?

Thanks,
shr.

 

[jaymanek]

you will be fine as it doesnt sound completely pancaked.

Just make sure both cars are switched off... connect the leads, start the W202, let it charge for 2-3 mins and then give the S class a go... once its started leave it for about 30 seconds then remove the leads.

Its only power spikes that cause damage, usually when a battery is completely dead.

 

[mr. shr]

Thanks Jay,
Just had another go at starting and get a tick from the front end but nothing further. The cluster rattles but that's all.

So is this too flat to jump?

I don't actually have any jump leads, will have to see if neighbour has any.

Or should I just call MB Service 24?
My W220 is still covered.

 

[jaymanek]

if you have cover then why bother... just get them out...

I would still say its safe to jump.

You should see some of the cars they jump at auction, they look like they have been sitting for years...

 

[mr. shr]

OK will call MB.
Err.....what's the number?

The number in the car is a european number with loads of 7's in it.

 

[Diesel Benz]

http://www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk/con...e/Mercedes-Benz_Mobilo/How_do_I_get_help.html

 

[mr. shr]

Update:
As I couldn't get the number to work, I tried a coulple of neighbours for jump leads. That turned out negative so came back in and tried Diesel Benz's link.

I'm sure it's the same number I tried before but this time it worked. So thanks Diesel Benz.

Anyway, made the call at about 20:00 and by 20:45 I was bombing it down the A1 giving it a right royal blast.

Can't fault the service really but they don't send MB techs out of hours apparrently.
They sent a local company out.

Got talking to him and asked if he had STAR or any form of diagnostic equipment. Surprisingly he said no.
He basically said that if the fault is anything other than a flat battery (lucky me) then they pretty much tow you to a garage.

So anyway, my W220 is up and mobile again.
Thanks for the support guys.
Much appreciated as always.

 

[Chas]

If the voltage drops below 12 volts the car wont start, although other electrics will work. It simply wont turn over till voltage is 12.5 - 14.2 volts.

Been there

 

[robertjrt]

I am still trying to ascertain how Mercedes-Benz Chelsea managed to cause all the damage to my car's electrics. The battery was an dead as a doornail.

If the jump pack was "surge protected" how could the alternator, ECU's and main fuse burnt out?

( bill £6,800)

 

[jaymanek]

if a battery is completely dead... a jump pack doesnt normally cause damage.. i see cars started this way every day, auctions, dealers etc... however the safest way is to use a charger for some time to give the battery some juice, then to use the jump pack or leads... Its the surge that causes damage, but like you say.. the electrics are fairly well protected...

Damage can also be caused if the jump pack is removed too early.. if the battery is dead.. the pack should be left in place for a while to let the voltage build up through the dead battery.. otherwise you will get a surge when removing the pack.

This is why i dont understand your story... they caused the damage.. their bill?

 

[robertjrt]

Well, its a long and sad story which I have posted elsewhere on the forum.

Basically, MB Chelsea took my car in for a Warranty repair and two months later, when the Warranty was "out" informed me that the damage on my car would cost at least £6,800 and that the damage was present before the car was recovered to MB Chelsea.

I refused and the matter ended up in Bromley County Court, years later.

The Judge awarded me £10,750 damages + Cost, last November. I still do not have my car back and am still waiting for my Costs.

The reason I have been asking about "dead" batteries is I still cannot understand how so much damage to my cars electrics occurred.

The parts removed for replacement were not kept for my inspection.

 

[jaymanek]

yeh i read the thread a while back.. Its a bizarre and worrying tale.. hope it gets sorted soon..

 

[Dieselman]

If the jump pack was "surge protected" how could the alternator, ECU's and main fuse burnt out?

If connected in reverse polarity it could fry a lot of stuff.
I'm not sure if late model cars still have a reverse polarity relay.

It's also possible that he engine was run with the battery disconnected which would allow the alternator voltage to float to dangerously high levels, thus blowing components.

 

[trapperjohn]

Now we (Dieselman) are getting into the forensics of robertjrt's issue which sound plausable and I really do hope robertjrt is told the truth eventually. Is there somehow a "clamp down" on the truth from the dealer on this one. Dieselman would appear to have a key here, but is it to Pandoras Box? Which someone wants to keep fast shut. Me I only talk a good breakdown. Fixing 'em I leave to Dieselman.