SL55.....Elec Consumers offline

[vpr]

Well I know this means the boot battery is no longer square but I replaced it due to this message a month ago and now the message has popped up again

Any thoughts???

[SFO]

vpr said:

Well I know this means the boot battery is no longer square but I replaced it due to this message a month ago and now the message has popped up again

Any thoughts???

if you haven't run the car for more than 3 weeks, this is not unusual.

just needs a longish drive ..

it wants to go out for a run

[Gouki]

There is plenty of advice on various forums. After several weeks you will experience this warning. But please try:

1. Charge the battery, e.g Ctek charger or similar.

2. Enjoy

There is always a current drain on the car, but you will always be able start due to the dual battery set up.

[vpr]

Yes its not been 3 weeks but it doesn't get a lot of use and sits outside.

Think I'll put it away for the winter.

If I plug a C-Tec into the main battery will it charge both?

[richarda0109]

Leo

How old is the SL55. I'm guessing its over 6 years. If this is the case then the problem is the Voltage Regulator on the alternator. If you take it to a place that has STAR diagnostics they will tell you its the alternator and charge you ~£700 to change it. Dont do that and dont go for a cheaper Bosch or Lucas one. The Merc alternators are bulletproof. Its the voltage regulator for the alternator which needs changing. The part is actually listed as a "wearable" part and a replacement is £60 from a merc dealer. The labour is about 1 hour. Let me know how you get on.
If you do go for the change then you will automatically see the difference in the size of the spring loaded copper pins from old to new.

Rgds
Richard

[SLacKer]

vpr said:

Yes its not been 3 weeks but it doesn't get a lot of use and sits outside.

Think I'll put it away for the winter.

If I plug a C-Tec into the main battery will it charge both?

Don't do that, I think it warns against this in the handbook. Charge the rear battery only.

I get this sometimes if the car has been left a few weeks it goes away after about a mile or so.

[vpr]

Many thanks for that I will talk to my local and see what can be done.

I have a feeling that there is more to it than lack of use so regulator sound reasonable

[BigBen]

SLacKer said:

vpr said:

Yes its not been 3 weeks but it doesn't get a lot of use and sits outside.

Think I'll put it away for the winter.

If I plug a C-Tec into the main battery will it charge both?

Don't do that, I think it warns against this in the handbook. Charge the rear battery only.

I get this sometimes if the car has been left a few weeks it goes away after about a mile or so.

Yep mine does this if unused for a week or so. Usually gone within a mile.

[OdramaSwimLaden]

vpr said:

I have a feeling that there is more to it than lack of use so regulator sound reasonable

Having had two SL55's I would agree 100% with the above.

Both of them suffered from regulator problems and were cheap to fix compared to the new altenators that the Mercedes main dealers were trying to con me into buying.

I went the whole "is it the battery?", "is it the lack of use?" or "is it the altenator?" route too and it was none of the above.

Other problems are creaky roof, bearings in supercharger pulley, shocks giving up and driveshafts eating themselves up (my first was a very early 02 LHD car) and rear wheel bearings (took me ages to suss this one. The car was all over the road especially when braking. Braking hard and looking in the wing mirror I could actually see the OSR wheel crabing!)

[BigBen]

I had the message again this morning, the car has been sitting for 4-5 days. Again gone about a mile up the road.

I expect to have to replace the battery quite soon.

I am going away for about 3 weeks soon, which battery (or both) should I disconnect to prevent off line leakage current?

[vpr]

Took a good 5 miles to lose the warning today whilst my bum remained cold on the seat.

Placed it with my local MB dealer who said its just lack of use after connecting it to the Star.

Yes my roof creeks and getting worse though I have lubed the rubbers.