Flat bettery w124

[michaelk3289]

Hi there

i have been away for several weeks and returned to find the merc's battery is as flat as a pancake

is it worth trying to charge it or should i just replace?

is there a special bettery i must buy and is it easy to fit, where abouts on the car is it located

many thanks

Michael

 

[balge]

Hi
depends on how old the battery is, also you need to check for parasitic drains, no point replacing the battery if there's a short in the wiring flattening it. 'Several weeks' might be enough to flatten even a goodish battery if its getting on a bit. Get the best battery you can, it's worth the extra.
The battery is under the bonnet at the rear of the bay
cheers!

 

[michaelk3289]

many thanks for your info, how would i check for parasitic drains?

kind regards

Michael

 

[balge]

I used this - How to Find a Parasitic Battery Drain - wikiHow
last time I did it

cheers!

 

[Ted]

That's good advice.
Just don't try to start the car with the ammeter in circuit :/

 

[scillyisles]

In my experience a good newish battery on a W124 should last around 3/4 weeks provided there is no battery drain. If you have a battery drain then the time will shorten considerably.

 

[OneCarefulOwner]

If you're leaving the car for several weeks between starts, either fit a trickle-charger to cover the normal drains (clock, radio memory, etc.) or disconnect the battery between uses; just be sure to keep all reactivation codes handy!