ICE problem

[Graham7]

Lawksamercy, does no-one have a friend with a battery charger?

There's no reason to throw away a hundred quid battery just because you've run the battery low.

WhatsApp some friends and find a nerdy bloke - probably someone in an anorak and a bobble hat and get them to lend you their battery charger. If you don't know how to open the bonnet, ask "Nigel" to do it for you.

Fully appreciate that it's difficult if you don't live somewhere where you can park off-street, or have a friend who has a driveway that is off-street, but it's worth a try.

Greta will love you for it.

I know how to open the bonnet.

 

[Graham7]

Thanks for your help Gazwould. Always appreciated.

 

[Graham7]

start engine, 20 there......stop engine....start engine 20 back - not as good as a 40mile non-stop trip.

If I don’t drive my car for an extended period and do not have it on the charger while standing, it will easily take 90 minutes (a lot on motorway) of driving before the Eco is available again. My understanding is that the main battery will be charged first and then the auxillary battery.

Considering that your trip to Archery had some effect, I suggest you try a long drive and see if that works before you need to do too much tinkering. Unless the tester puts a load on the battery, you will not really get a proper indication of it’s condition.

If you are considering buying a home charger, check if you have AGM batteries (likely), you would need a charger with AGM mode. I would recommend a CTEK (MB rebrand them and sell them as MB chargers) they (besides the quality) have better charging algorithms than cheap Chinese chargers.

The batteries are possibly going on 10 years old and could be at the end of their life.

Thanks Rory, I agree with you about the long trip but as you say the battery is quite old. I may try a good long run first.

 

[Graham7]

Main battery for sure as I've removed my auxiliary paperweight .

Must be really , really low as mines still all good after 1 year later from this reading .

View attachment 124237



The moment it gives...

View attachment 124238

After searching on the net I have booked at Halfords to get this battery fitted. I wish I had a trade card.

 

[Graham7]

Ok, so a final (I hope) update on this problem.
I had the main battery changed at Halfords, £185 fitted. I drove the car for a few days and couldn't see any difference, the problem still persisted. The guy who fitted the battery said that they came 80% charged so it could take a few miles.
80 miles later no change so I ordered a new aux battery from eBay, link below. A cheaper alternative to the oem battery. £43.50 inc delivery.

Pardon our interruption...

It arrived the next day and was easy to fit. Happily after driving about a further 30 miles The Radio/usb player are now working and for the first time in about 2 years the stop/start dash light turned green and started working. So, hopefully that problem is behind me.
Many thanks to all who offered help. Much appreciated.

 

[Gazwould]

I don't understand it , I get the Stop Strain part as undesirable as it is .

I've a facelift C Class too , I've removed the auxiliary paperweight



and my main battery is not healthy yet no such HU message or any other issues .

 

[Graham7]

I did ask the guy at Halfords about removing the aux battery and he said not to as it could do a lot of damage to the cars electrics.
Seems to work for you though.
I always switch off the stop start but I think the fact that it now works shows that the electrical system is now healthy, I hope so anyway.

 

[Graham7]

Well well the problem has returned. Having fitted two new batteries my guess now is that the alternator is to blame, although it's just a guess.
The car is going in for a service and MOT on Wednesday 13th and he will do a diagnostic check then. If I can't find out what the problem is then I think it will be bye bye Mercedes.