I thought I would post my problem and solution for others to as a reference point. I searched and search but couldn't find anything that matched my specific problem so here is my experience .
I got into the car to start it, turned the key and nothing happened. It didn't even try to turnover .
Everything in the car was working properly (lights, radio, windows, etc.) so the battery was the last thing on my mind . After searching this site for clues I decided to check the battery with my hand held meter. It read 12.18 volts so I figured that should be enough to at least slowly crank the engine if it was going bad. Also, since this car seems to have a bell or whistle for everything else I thought it would surely give me a clear signal that the battery was nearing it's end. I came back in to do somemore searching on this site and finally gave up . I hooked up some jumper cables to my truck and wouldn't you know it started right up . So, off to Autozone (the only 24hr store around and it was currently 1:00am) to find a replacement battery . The new battery was installed and all is right in my world now .
The only thing that I noticed prior to this incident was an intermittent "S.O.S. visit service center" warning. I guess that was suppose to tell me that the battery was going low.
Since the replacement battery there have been no issues with my car. I am so glad I found this site. I have saved $$$ hundreds $$$ on various simple fixes and tips on where to buy the parts I need.
I thought I would post my problem and solution for others to as a reference point. I searched and search but couldn't find anything that matched my specific problem so here is my experience .
I got into the car to start it, turned the key and nothing happened. It didn't even try to turnover .
Everything in the car was working properly (lights, radio, windows, etc.) so the battery was the last thing on my mind . After searching this site for clues I decided to check the battery with my hand held meter. It read 12.18 volts so I figured that should be enough to at least slowly crank the engine if it was going bad. Also, since this car seems to have a bell or whistle for everything else I thought it would surely give me a clear signal that the battery was nearing it's end. I came back in to do somemore searching on this site and finally gave up . I hooked up some jumper cables to my truck and wouldn't you know it started right up . So, off to Autozone (the only 24hr store around and it was currently 1:00am) to find a replacement battery . The new battery was installed and all is right in my world now .
The only thing that I noticed prior to this incident was an intermittent "S.O.S. visit service center" warning. I guess that was suppose to tell me that the battery was going low.
Since the replacement battery there have been no issues with my car. I am so glad I found this site. I have saved $$$ hundreds $$$ on various simple fixes and tips on where to buy the parts I need.
I have a 2001 and had a battery problem, though at first I didn't know it. The vehicle needs a specific minimum amount of volts (I don't remember what it is) or the vehicle won't even turn over. No clicks, no starter, no anything. Typically, we are used to a vehicle trying to turn over, no matter how slowly. Not so with the newer M-B's...
__________________
Richard / E320
2001 M-B E320 / Glacier White / Java Leather / 18" AMG Style III & Bridgestone Potenza's
My mechanic just installed an OEM battery to this 2001 E320. He said that the compartment was already ventilated, but no hose connected to the battery. Tomorrow he's putting a hose on the battery for full ventilation. I'm I doing overkill, or was this a good move?
Thanks,
Love the site, love the car and appreciate your help always.
Nikiyo
If I carried children in the back of my car, I would get nothing but the OEM battery from M-B, assuming that they are still rated for 15 minutes of inversion without leaking acid.
Tomorrow when my ex-mechanic comes over to install the hose, he will be taking my new ex-battery with him, and the hose. I have never used anything but original equipment in any of my european cars. My mistake, should have know better. Thank you.
Nikiyo
My mechanic just installed an OEM battery to this 2001 E320. He said that the compartment was already ventilated, but no hose connected to the battery. Tomorrow he's putting a hose on the battery for full ventilation. I'm I doing overkill, or was this a good move?
Thanks,
Love the site, love the car and appreciate your help always.
Nikiyo
Hi, Nikiyo. Technically the ex-mechanic is right, the compartment is ventilated...unfortunately it is vented to the interior of the car. That's why the hose has to be connected to it, as the OEM (and proper aftermarkets) will contain the gas to a tube, to which the hose can be connected, thus providing a safe and direct route out of the interior. I did a DIY with some pics of an aftermarket battery, I can't right now recall if there are good shots of the hose or not, but either way it's up in the stickies. (It is possible that someone previously removed the hose, but that seems quite unlikely.)
Good luck with the car, same MY as mine.
Take care and enjoy the ride,
Greg
__________________ If the only prayer you say in your life is thank you, that would suffice. Meister Eckhart
When you learn from your own mistakes, that's experience.
When you learn from the mistakes of others, that's wisdom.
When you fail to learn from any mistakes, that's government.
.
. 
. I hooked up some jumper cables to my truck and wouldn't you know it started right up 
. So, off to Autozone (the only 24hr store around and it was currently 1:00am) to find a replacement battery 
. The new battery was installed and all is right in my world now 
.
I am so glad I found this site. I have saved $$$ hundreds $$$ on various simple fixes and tips on where to buy the parts I need.
Linear Mode
