Urgent help needed!!!

[bpsorrel]

Just got back from Russia this evening and my S211 is totally without power!! Absolutrly nothing! I had to open the driver door with the emergency key!

My question is - how do I open the tailgate to get to the battery to be able to charge it up? (it's recently replaced battery too, but that's another matter...)

Also, anyone know what if any impact total discharge will have done to the car?

Please help, I needed to use it tomorrow!!!!

 

[whitenemesis]

Does the emergency key not open the tailgate as well?

That's from the inside, I think!

 

[seymansey]

This might help: http://www.MBClub.co.uk/forums/howto/25674-howto-get-into-clk-probably-others-dead-battery-w208.html

 

[whitenemesis]

Tailgate emergency release (Estate)

If the tailgate can no longer be opened from outside the vehicle, use the emergency release on the inside of the tailgate.
On vehicles with a folding bench seat you can open the tailgate from inside the vehicle using the handle.

Take the emergency key element out of the key more.

When opening, the tailgate swings up and out. Therefore, make sure that there is sufficient clearance above and behind the tailgate.

Insert emergency key element into opening in trim .

Turn emergency key element 90° clockwise.

Push emergency key element in the direction of arrow and open the tailgate.

 

[bpsorrel]

Sorry, I'm not quite with this description! Where is the trim and the opening that I need to get to to insert the key? (maybe I'm just jet-lagged! ) Also, how do I open the rear passenger doors to get to the bench and then the inside of the tailgate? There's no locking pin I can pull up to unlock the door... !!??

 

[bpsorrel]

Also, is there a way to jump start the car from under the bonnet, as this opens OK!!!

 

[The Boss]

Also, is there a way to jump start the car from under the bonnet, as this opens OK!!!

the bonnet should have a cable run hub to enable jump starting.. look for a black and red flap.. dont know where.. but when we had the older s class, it defo had a hub connector under the bonnet

 

[momomo]

Also, is there a way to jump start the car from under the bonnet, as this opens OK!!!

There is a way but jump starting Mercedes is not recommended, you may fry the electrics in the process.

 

[Druk]

Small square box back right of engine with single post inside is + and brass post on N/S suspension turret top is neg. Charge battery there enough to energise locking? I think that you can safely jump start the car there as long as you don't remove the jump leads as soon as it's started. ie leave the leads on until the battery has some voltage. I'm not certain on this point so confirm first.

I can't get to my car at this moment to check, but I thought there was a simple handle on the inside of the tailgate that released the lock???? Maybe I'm thinking of a W124.



.

 

[219]

Since your car is quite new , do you have Mobilo cover ?

Can't you just call out Mercedes emergency assistance - they would possibly have a STAR laptop to reset anything needing it and ought to know what needs done .

 

[Ted]

If the battery is totally flat I would recommend removing the negative terminal, and putting it on charge for at least an hour.
Jump starting a car with a totally flat battery is not a good idea.

 

[219]

Sorry, I'm not quite with this description! Where is the trim and the opening that I need to get to to insert the key? (maybe I'm just jet-lagged! ) Also, how do I open the rear passenger doors to get to the bench and then the inside of the tailgate? There's no locking pin I can pull up to unlock the door... !!??

Re opening back doors - at least on the oldercars I have , if you just reach in and pull the interior dooropening handle , the lock pin will pop up and the door will open .

 

[bpsorrel]

Thanks for the help guys!! What a wonderful place this is!

Got my better half to crawl through into the boot and release the little latch from inside. Worked a treat. Connected charger and locks now work ok. So, I'll leave it on charge for a day or so and see what happens!!!.....

While I think of it - does anyone know how to prevent this happening every time we go away for a couple of months in the summer? Last year the battery was flat, but with enough juice to open the locks... As a comparison, my Saab was perfect (just as well as this was the car that took us home from Heathrow last night!!) and the Nissan in Russia hibernates for several months at a time and never has a problem!! MBs, you gotta love 'em eh!!

 

[Druk]

Is the car left on private ground? Connect a maintenance charger to the terminals described in post #9 above. If there is no mains juice use a small solar panel trickle charger.

But maybe the battery is simply on it's last legs. My car can lie for nearly a month and there is still sufficient juice for a start although it has gone into 'battery save' mode.

 

[bpsorrel]

The solar panel trickle charger sounds a very good idea!! Thanks!!

 

[BaldGuy]

I use one of these CTEK XS 3600 12V Car Battery Charger | XS3600 - 5 Year Warranty for when my 55 spends a while in the garage....

 

[bpsorrel]

Thanks! Looks interesting! I think as the car lives in the drive, maybe the solar powered one would be better - I'll have to see. I could always ask my neighbour to start it and run it for a while once a week...

By the way - good to see you back! I haven't seen any posts for a few days as we were travelling back, but hope everything sorted out!

 

[Londonscottish]

Hi - is your tailgate the normal or the electric one?

 

[splitpin]

Thanks for the help guys!! What a wonderful place this is!

Got my better half to crawl through into the boot and release the little latch from inside. Worked a treat. Connected charger and locks now work ok. So, I'll leave it on charge for a day or so and see what happens!!!.....

While I think of it - does anyone know how to prevent this happening every time we go away for a couple of months in the summer? Last year the battery was flat, but with enough juice to open the locks... As a comparison, my Saab was perfect (just as well as this was the car that took us home from Heathrow last night!!) and the Nissan in Russia hibernates for several months at a time and never has a problem!! MBs, you gotta love 'em eh!!

This is a well documented problem on all manner of cars left at airports for an extended period when alarm system etc. eventually drain the battery.

I assume that you have the larger (heavy duty) battery fitted in your car ?


splitpin

 

[bpsorrel]

Yes, a fairly new one too, from MB at Milton Keynes. Maybe worth a visit to see if it needs replacing under warranty...

Yes, tailgate is electric, but it opened ok with the interior release catch. Funny, I'd seen it loads of times but never stopped to think what it was! Dumb eh!