W245 - New Alternator/New batt - still goes flat

[GrahamWilko]

Morning all,

I've had my 55 plate W245 (B180 CDI) for a month and it has been nothing but a nightmare so far; including some rather heated verbals (ongoing) with the 2nd hand dealer I bought it from.

I replaced the alternator within 100 miles of driving under warranty. This past weekend I noticed the car was 'thinking about it' a bit too long on trying to start the egnition, only for it to be totally dead Sunday morning. I swapped out the old battery and fit a new one, great until it wouldnt start again this morning.

It jumped on first ignition and I noticed no real fluctuation of lights etc.

What could be draining the battery whilst it is idle? and could it be the alternator as the belt has squeeled since it was installed?

Any help would be much appreciated as I am getting to the point where the car may be forced sideways up the sellers proverbials.

 

[gazz]

If the fault has existed only since the alternator was replaced, my hunt would start there. The wiring is tricky to release and refit on a B class alternator. In fact, it's in a very daft place if you ask me! Its entirely possible that a wire has become trapped or pinched. Could even be a faulty new unit. Worth a look I'd say.

 

[GrahamWilko]

Cheers, would you suggest checking the voltage on the battery whilst running first or taking it to the guys who fit the alternator straight away?

 

[Alfie]

If the belt is squeeling then its possibly slipping and the alternator wont be charging properly.

But if you swapped the battery for a new one and the following morning the car wouldnt start, then there is a drain somewhere.

email me the VIN to [email protected] and i'll look at whats fitted to the car. I have a hunch

 

[GrahamWilko]

If the belt is squeeling then its possibly slipping and the alternator wont be charging properly.

But if you swapped the battery for a new one and the following morning the car wouldnt start, then there is a drain somewhere.

email me the VIN to [email protected] and i'll look at whats fitted to the car. I have a hunch

The battery was swapped two weeks after the alternator was changed, it died this morning having been changed on Monday so 48hrs I guess.

I'll email the VIN, cheers.

 

[jaymanek]

Battery control module?

 

[GrahamWilko]

Battery control module?

How would I identify that as the issue?

 

[jaymanek]

A drain test needs to be carried out by a competent garage... sometimes they will show up as faulty on the star diagnosis.

 

[GrahamWilko]

Well I am taking it back to the garage who fitted the alternator to have the belt sufficiently tightened.

I'm also in the process of invoking the Sales of goods Act with the dealer for them to rectify my issues (there are others too.)

 

[Dec]

Test the alarm system by intentionally triggering it, this is one item that is often overlooked when buying a car.

Dec

 

[ckember]

Does it have command fitted? I had one drain the battery in my old w211

 

[GrahamWilko]

Morning - I checked the alarm last night, seems to be working and I do not have COMAND.

It started this morning, though ignition wasn't instant. Once it is running all electrics seem fine - no dimness on lights, instrument cluster, wiper speed etc.

However, the boot now doesn't open....

 

[Dec]

Did you actually trigger the alarm, did the siren sound and the hazard lights flash?
Faulty alarms are very common when the car is nearing 10 years of age.

Dec

 

[GrahamWilko]

Did you actually trigger the alarm, did the siren sound and the hazard lights flash?
Faulty alarms are very common when the car is nearing 10 years of age.

Dec

I sat in the car, locked it then opened the door after a few seconds. Siren and hazards went off as usual.

The boot is perplexing though - does it run off the battery?

 

[Dec]

Thanks for clarifying the alarm.

Is there a keyhole above the numberplate to manually unlock the boot?
You seem to have a good case to bring the car back to the dealer to correct all these faults.

Dec

 

[GrahamWilko]

Thanks for clarifying the alarm.

Is there a keyhole above the numberplate to manually unlock the boot?
You seem to have a good case to bring the car back to the dealer to correct all these faults.

Dec

I don't think it does have a manual key barrel.

They recieved my letter (sent recorded) this morning requesting repairs be carried out.

To be honest (at 5 grand) I'm contemplating rejecting it.

 

[Dec]

Be careful not to do any work on it yourself, you don’t want to be blames for creating the faults, good luck with it.

Dec

 

[GrahamWilko]

Be careful not to do any work on it yourself, you don’t want to be blames for creating the faults, good luck with it.

Dec

The alternator was replaced by a local garage under warranty and I replaced the battery myself. I wouldn't have a clue how to do anything myself!

The experience of owning the car has been tarnished, it was supposed to be my first sensible family car.