My 2005 SL65 was pretty weak the last couple times starting, and today at the gas station my wife had to come give me a jump after I had turned it off. I know it is charging because the other day it read way above 14 volts when it was running when I tested it at the engine battery. So I figure the battery has lost its crank power. But looking at this black plastic above the battery, before I start monkeying with it tomorrow, does anyone know if that just pops off in order to get some room for the battery to come out? Also, anything I should be aware of in replacing the starter battery? I replaced a couple convenience batteries before but never the starter battery. Thanks.
1- Make sure you disconnect the rear battery first, ground cable disconnect should suffice.
2- look at the opposite edge of intake duct strainer, you will see two levers, that you can push away, and lift the grill, and turn it over, then lift it off
3- rest is self explanatory, remove the battery, and install new one.
4- only after the new front battery is hooked up, connect the rear ground.
Thanks for all the info. Anyone ever tried a different starter battery rather than from the dealer? Just wondering if it would make much difference as I suppose the Mercedes battery would cost more.
I had to replace the starter battery in my 2004 SL500 about a year ago. It died on a Sunday and I needed to get one in it that day. All the usual aftermarket battery places did not show anyone who made an aftermarket battery for the starter position. My only choice was to go with a MB battery.
Fwiw...not the same battery as for the SL (I suppose, didn't check) but a local MB dealer came to my house and replaced the battery in my wife's CLK for $160.
Thanks guys. Got an MBZ battery from the dealer toda $210. Those damn things are so small & light compared to the rear. Was easypeasy to change it out and all works fine now.
When I have the trickle charger on the trunk convenience battery, does it also keep the starter battery charged?
I'd like to know, too. I have a CTEK MUS 4.3 that I keep on my trunk battery in the winter since my SL is my fair-weather car (the TT is my foul-weather car). I'd like to know if I need to swap them time to time.
My coal dealer wants almost $300 for the starter battery, and it comes with a 1-year warranty. I'd gladly forgo the three-point star for the Advance Auto label to get a 3-year warranty (and a a bonus not spend my money at the dealer). The thing with batteries, is there aren't that many manufacturers these days, so the AutoCraft may actually be made in the same factory as the MBZ. For many years, I've been using AutoCraft for my other MBZs - they were the first brand to offer AGM batteries.
There the only dealer for 50 miles (and the one that's 50 miles away is a joke). They have a long, long history of ripping off customers for parts and service. Since I used to "work" there, I used to get decent pricing, but a few years ago, the dealership sold out to Nick Saban (head football coach at The University of Alabama) and they fired everyone I knew.
Damn, I have used my trickle charger in both my SLs almost daily to the rear battery with no problems yet. Thanks for the info though about not doing that. I must have just been lucky so far. Maybe I will just try connecting it for a few hours now & then rather than all the time to help limit the risk.
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