Over the last week my 2002 W211 270CDi has been showing an intermittent pic of a battery and words saying 'turning electrical consumers off' warning on the dash. Today it turned the heater off for a few minutes before it came on again. I assumed battery was the problem. Took it to Kwik Fit who checked the battery and alternator and said both were fine. Any idea what the problem could be? Your help much appreciated.
Your car has two batterys- A big main one a and a small ancillary one for all the consumer electronics. They only tested the large one.
On winter days those small batterys seem to run down overnight and hence this message.. nothing really to worry about as it should charge up within minutes and you should get a message saying "consumer electrics now available"
Of course there is a chance that the small battery is on its way..
On winter days those small batterys seem to run down overnight and hence this message.. nothing really to worry about as it should charge up within minutes and you should get a message saying "consumer electrics now available"
Of course there is a chance that the small battery is on its way..
Druk
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Thought the small battery was only for a standby in case the main one failed and even then only for the SBC pump?
Was with the guy at KwikFit when he tested battery and alternator and he showed me the readings. If they wanted to shaft me they would have sold me a battery whether I needed it or not! Read a Merc bulletin and small bat is is only back-up for main one so it is NOT a battery or alternator issue. Any other thoughts?
plgibson
Active Member
Had same on mine last year it was the secondary battery. Even though its not in constant use bit like back up battery in clocks etc needs replacing every two or three years
Main dealer found it straight away changed under warranty
Main dealer found it straight away changed under warranty
its the small battery!
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I think that its the small battery on mine that has gone as I get this same fault.
It is normal to have the "consumer electrics..." for a few seconds.. especially at this time of year.
Soltan
Active Member
I get that sometimes, only had it once in the past week though. Soons sorts itself out though.
Had this error yesterday, journey down M56 turned into Apollo 13. Had to shut everything down eventually lost ABS,SRS and finally breaks and lights. Main battery tested by AA down to less than 6v. AA put another battery on, cleared messages but still consumers were switched off and yellow engine symbol stayed on dash display. Will charge main battery again tonight but fear starting in cold will completely drain again in morning
I had the same problem last weekend and all the electiric switched off when driving. Next morning the car would not start at all. I had mobolife over for 2 days and they could not fix it. In the end it was taken to the main dealers.
Problem was a faulty SBC pump which they are replacing under warranty. It was constantly draining the battery.
Problem was a faulty SBC pump which they are replacing under warranty. It was constantly draining the battery.
Turns out it was both batteries. My mechanic tested small battery and it was flat and wouldn't take a charge. Put new one in but still wouldn't start. He then went through all the fault codes and cleared them. Still no joy. In doing all the diag checks he noticed main battery was draining quickly. Fully charged it and car started! Seems main batt was only giving enough power to crank starting motor but didn't have enough juice to feed the ECU. He's replacing main batt in the morning with a quality one – old one was a LION which he reckons are not up to much. Lesson learned? Dodgy batteries throw up all manner of fault codes which can scare the hell out of you! Don't skimp on batteries. Thank you all for your help. It was much appreciated.
Satch
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A reminder there is a readily available Voltage display.
With key in position I (before everything lights up) and speed display up press trip reset button rapidly three times. Should get a single beep.
Go to next key position and using up & down arrows you will find that a Voltage display is in there as well as speed, temperature etc. (Also another info screen but now displays oil level in litres but right now cannot recall if that is a sub-menu)
With key in position I (before everything lights up) and speed display up press trip reset button rapidly three times. Should get a single beep.
Go to next key position and using up & down arrows you will find that a Voltage display is in there as well as speed, temperature etc. (Also another info screen but now displays oil level in litres but right now cannot recall if that is a sub-menu)
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- W140 S-Class, Porsche Cayenne and Porsche Boxster
I am still getting the fault on my car, is the small battery user changeable and any idea of the cost?
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