W212 E300 Hybrid Battery Malfunction

[Smart320]

Great result, especially as you were expecting a large bill from the dealer

 

[merc85]

Very pleased for you, Nice to hear someone having some luck.

 

[grober]

Glad you got it sorted. What would be nice is if you could find out what the fault/service bulletin was so other forum members faced with a similar problem in the future would know what to look/ask for?

 

[Deleted member 6183]

Top result.

However, for me, it raises the question of whether independent repairers have the knowledge and tools to carry out repairs on Hybrid cars (on the electrical side that is).

 

[CYPER]

Glad you got it sorted. What would be nice is if you could find out what the fault/service bulletin was so other forum members faced with a similar problem in the future would know what to look/ask for?

The service team manager showed me a print out of the service measure, which had pictures of the gearbox being opened and explained that some bolts were just loose.
The invoice says that:

Top result.

However, for me, it raises the question of whether independent repairers have the knowledge and tools to carry out repairs on Hybrid cars (on the electrical side that is).

Probably not. The guy told me this requires a special person with the appropriate training as it is high voltage - between 200 and 450V which can definitely kill you. The engineer is even wearing a special suit, probably a faraday cage thing.
In case of an accident, breakdown services or the police are not allowed to touch the system because of the high voltage.

 

[Terry_]

I’m glad it’s getting sorted for you under warranty really good news!

I’m getting straight onto my local dealer to order one of those suits

 

[CYPER]

I’m glad it’s getting sorted for you under warranty really good news!

I’m getting straight onto my local dealer to order one of those suits

I am not sure if you are being sarcastic or not but can you work on the hybrids or it depends what the fault is?
The guy at the dealership sounded like it is a really specialist job.

Now I am thinking to sell the car and just get a diesel, cause I will always be worried about any future potential £6000 repairs
I reckon there isn't a very big market for these

 

[grober]

The service team manager showed me a print out of the service measure, which had pictures of the gearbox being opened and explained that some bolts were just loose.
The invoice says that:

Probably not. The guy told me this requires a special person with the appropriate training as it is high voltage - between 200 and 450V which can definitely kill you. The engineer is even wearing a special suit, probably a faraday cage thing.
In case of an accident, breakdown services or the police are not allowed to touch the system because of the high voltage.

Thanks for this- always nice to get some details of the resolution of any fault. Hybrid technology is pretty specialist. I imagine the faraday suit need only be worn for working with live systems but nevertheless there's a lot of energy stored and the 300 has a relatively small battery compared to some!

PPE [ personal protection equipment] seems to be the acronym to learn.
layered gloves, dielectric boots, eye shields and possibly protective rubber apron seems to be the basic kit??
https://ehvsafety.com/head-to-toe-in-ppe/

 

[CJD]

Great result, glad you got it sorted for free.
I must admit I would be a little like you now, and consider changing the car - I would always have a nagging doubt at the back of my mind that something similar might happen again and be sat with a £6K bill.

 

[CJD]

but I wonder why this hadn't been called up before?

 

[CYPER]

Just my luck.
1 week later I get Auxiliary Battery malfunction.
Now I did my research and I know the battery is in the trunk.

Called the same dealership who quoted me roughly £400 - £100 for the battery and £300 for close to 2 hours labour for some checks.

After speaking with Mercedes Germany they agreed to cover 75% of the cost so final cost for me will be close to £100, which I still find steep.

My question is, is this battery considered a consumable like the main one? Is it something that could have been reasonably expected to last longer? Car is first registered May 2014, so warranty expired 5 months ago, but the car has covered only 24K miles.

I found a replacement battery with good reviews on Amazon for £25. Is it just a matter of swapping them? Or I would have to clear the error with a STAR equipment?

Cheers

 

[MercedesDriver]

Just my luck.
1 week later I get Auxiliary Battery malfunction.
Now I did my research and I know the battery is in the trunk.

Called the same dealership who quoted me roughly £400 - £100 for the battery and £300 for close to 2 hours labour for some checks.

After speaking with Mercedes Germany they agreed to cover 75% of the cost so final cost for me will be close to £100, which I still find steep.

My question is, is this battery considered a consumable like the main one? Is it something that could have been reasonably expected to last longer? Car is first registered May 2014, so warranty expired 5 months ago, but the car has covered only 24K miles.

I found a replacement battery with good reviews on Amazon for £25. Is it just a matter of swapping them? Or I would have to clear the error with a STAR equipment?

Cheers

If I were you I would accept MB offer for £100. Being a Hybrid God knows which systems are powered with this battery and what can go wrong.

 

[grober]

If you go for the Mercedes route [heavily discounted] any subsequent problems should be covered for 2 years on that component.

 

[CYPER]

If you go for the Mercedes route [heavily discounted] any subsequent problems should be covered for 2 years on that component.

I would if there was any benefit to it, but after some research it looks that is not the case.

This battery seems to fall in the consumables category and even the guy from the dealership told me it is expected to last around 3 years.
Probably an over exaggerated example but if my TV remote's batteries die no sane person would go to PC World and pay for the replacement.

I found a PDF document which describes the procedure to change it and it looks very easy.

What is the benefit of paying £100 to the dealership to change it?

 

[ernie]

I would if there was any benefit to it, but after some research it looks that is not the case.

This battery seems to fall in the consumables category and even the guy from the dealership told me it is expected to last around 3 years.
Probably an over exaggerated example but if my TV remote's batteries die no sane person would go to PC World and pay for the replacement.

I found a PDF document which describes the procedure to change it and it looks very easy.

What is the benefit of paying £100 to the dealership to change it?

Cyclical question! You get 2 years warranty on MB parts that they have fitted.

Ernie

 

[Red C220]

Pay the £100 at the dealer, then sell it.

 

[CYPER]

Cyclical question! You get 2 years warranty on MB parts that they have fitted.

Ernie

So for £100 I get a battery fitted with 2 years warranty or for £10 I get a replacement battery and fit it myself.
Unless fitting involves more than just swapping the battery over?

 

[MercedesDriver]

Is it a 2015 model?

 

[CYPER]

Is it a 2015 model?

May 2014

 

[ernie]

Very few folk on here would have undertaken work on a Hybrid like yours particularly with the electrics which can be troublesome anyway. My local dealership would replace a 'normal' battery on an MB without a labour charge, so the fact that yours is quoting 2 hours to do checks makes me think there is more to it than meets the eye. For the sake of 100 quid, I wouldn't take the chance on a £40k+ car. Remember if your £10 battery goes wrong or does damage to the car's electrics, the problem is yours; if they cause a problem, it is there's to sort out. However, as you say, you have the PDF of the procedure and it looks easy, it is your call; I certainly wouldn't take the gamble.

Ernie