[sokoloff]

The battery in my 560SL apparently conked out on me today. No warning - it just got tired real fast I guess. I took the car on a 200 mile trip today. Stopped once for an hour and it fired right up. Stopped an hour later for gas, tried to start it and it just grunted once and would not start. I was fortunate that there was a guy at the station with jumper cables. Used the cables and the car started immediately and got me to my destination. I am now far from home, but safely parked at a friend's house until Tuesday. I want to get a new battery, but would like some advice. If I was at home in the comfort of my own garage, I'd probably do a little research first. Now I'm asking for your advice on what to get. The current battery in there is a Mercedes battery and I believe it is only 26 months old. Anyone know what the warranty is? I can call MBUSA and ask, but thought someone would know. I did call roadside assistance today, but by the time they called back (which was only 10 minutes), I had the car started and was back on the road. They do not carry batteries with them. My choices seem to be:

1. Jump the car and drive an hour to the nearest dealer for a Mercedes battery.
2. Go to a local national McParts store and buy an Optima or an Interstate.

The manual calls for a 12V/92 Ah battery.

Ideas and suggestions welcomed.

Thanks.

Len

 

[nobby]

The battery in my 560SL apparently conked out on me today. No warning - it just got tired real fast I guess. I took the car on a 200 mile trip today. Stopped once for an hour and it fired right up. Stopped an hour later for gas, tried to start it and it just grunted once and would not start. I was fortunate that there was a guy at the station with jumper cables. Used the cables and the car started immediately and got me to my destination. I am now far from home, but safely parked at a friend's house until Tuesday. I want to get a new battery, but would like some advice. If I was at home in the comfort of my own garage, I'd probably do a little research first. Now I'm asking for your advice on what to get. The current battery in there is a Mercedes battery and I believe it is only 26 months old. Anyone know what the warranty is? I can call MBUSA and ask, but thought someone would know. I did call roadside assistance today, but by the time they called back (which was only 10 minutes), I had the car started and was back on the road. They do not carry batteries with them. My choices seem to be:

1. Jump the car and drive an hour to the nearest dealer for a Mercedes battery.
2. Go to a local national McParts store and buy an Optima or an Interstate.

The manual calls for a 12V/92 Ah battery.

Ideas and suggestions welcomed.

Thanks.

Len

I simply measured my battery with a tape measure and bought one that fit the battery tray.
Having a "Mercedes" battery was not important to me.

The question should be....What might cause the battery to fail in 26 months?

Crap battery or some underlying problem?

 

[ChiefRider]

The Optima would be high on my list, but like Nobby said, find out if there is some underlying problem. If I don't use a battery tender, my SL's battery goes flat from inactivity during the winter months, even though I start it up once in a while.

 

[flyboyike]

DieHard International Series.

 

[rondor2]

It sounds to me like a couple plates shorted together to die that quick. I have had similar experience more than once. when mine went dead like yours it would not take a charge. The first time I had many doubts but I have had this happen on several cars over the years and a new battery solved the problem each time. Brand is a personal choices with maybe some regional influence. In my boats and cars I have had best luck with Interstate.

 

[sokoloff]

Thanks for the reply guys - a couple of comments.

The last few batteries that have failed on me on other cars (this is the first for me on this car) have given me no warning. My guess is that I've lost a couple of plates too. Tried to charge it, but no luck. The clock has also stopped now, but the dash lights still come on. The car sits a lot, most of the time with the battery connected. When I'm doing some work on the car, I will often disconnect and leave it disconected. The only thing drawing power though when it is connected is the clock right? Car can sit for a month at a time. I put about 1000 miles on it last year.

I won't do any harm if I jump it and drive it for an hour and a half to the dealer will I, assuming I do this in the day time? Could I safely drive it all the way home (four hours)? I have a good battery sitting in my garage?

Len

 

[bit107]

Interstate MTP-93 "Megatron Plus": $113. The previous battery in my car was an MTP...and 9 years old.

I considered an Optima (luv 'em in my truck & tractor), but the smaller size would require replacing/lengthening the ground cable.

I drove only 1900 miles in the past two years. The battery stays connected with no battery tender or trickle charger applied.

In your situation, if I had a good battery waiting at home, I'd drive it as is...just don't shut 'er off on the way. Although with a four hour ride, you'll probably need to fill the tank. Maybe a borrowed or newly purchased set of jumper cables would be prudent.

 

[RadioTek]

The usual failure mode with lead-acid batteries involves the growth of lead sulfate crystals on the plates. These either meet with crystals from another plate and short out, or deform the plates and bend them into another one. This is the 'pregnant' or swollen battery.

Heat accelerates chemical reactions, so batteries tend to have shorter life spans in hotter environments.

If a battery is not cycled or used, it will develop a slimy chemical coating on the plates that prevents the chemical reactions needed to store or provide power. This doesn't inhibit the crystal formation, unfortunately.

The best way to extend the life of a battery is to keep it charged, use it regularly, and keep it as cool as possible.

Another common failure point is corrosion at the terminals. This is usually copper oxide on the wires (green fur) or lead oxide on the posts (white powder). This is accelerated by the corrosive effects of the sulfuric acid vapor.

This can best be prevented by coating the terminals and wire connectors with a barrier compound, No-oxide is best, but heavy grease will do. There are usually small packets of a suitable compound available at parts stores. I have had some luck with clear spray on plastic, but that required everything be cleaned to shiny metal before application. Even the little felt green and red washers help somewhat.

 

[mickward]

Len
The battery in the 560 is sorta odd size, shorter than a standard battery.
when I replaced mine I found one in stock at Advance Auto.
MICK

 

[mickward]

Len
In shorter I ment in height. Mick

 

[sokoloff]

Here is some more info. I just pulled the battery. Here are the numbers stamped into the case - E5B491132 0563 A00. Does the A00 indicate a January 2000 date? If that is the case, then I was on borrowed time. I've only had the car for a little over two years and the guy I bought it from told me that the battery had just been replaced in January. Since I bought the car in February of 2007, I assumed he meant the battery was just replaced in January of 2007. Little did I know he meant January of 2000, assuming that date code is correct.

EDIT - well, I just confirmed via a search that the A00 is in fact a January, 2000 date code. That actually makes me feel better about the battery failing. Kind of makes me more confident that it's a battery only problem and not any underlying alternator/electrical issue.

Len

 

[ChiefRider]

Sounds like your on it- a nine-year-old battery has done its duty. I've had good luck with Interstate, but given the intermittent use I'd look into the Optima. Size could be an issue- I don't know what they have that would fit our battery boxes, although it sounds like bit107 has already looked into that.

 

[sokoloff]

Took the battery to get tested today. It tests as bad and will not hold a charge. I briefly looked at the Optimas and it appears they may be too tall to fit in the case and also may present a problem for getting the cables to reach. Then looking at the Advanced Auto batteries, they had two flavors and the better one was $136. For that price, I think I'll just run to the dealer tomorrow and get one. They can't be that much worse there and if I can get another nine years out of it, I'll be quite satisfied.

Len

 

[nobby]

Everstart from Walmart....$68.00.
Fits the tray perfectly and is four years old.



And before the smartassery starts, I bought it new, 4 years ago.

 

[dugald]

Canadian Tire, our ubiquitous parts store here in Canada, sells batteries with a 3-year replacement/9-year prorated warranty and you can double those periods for an extra $9.95.
That's what you need for an occasional-use car, an 18-year warranty!.

 

[Thorgod]

MB Battery

sokoloff, this is what I would install for a new battery. A little pricey, however remember the old saying "Buy the best and be happy". It's only money, you can't take it with you......Thor

 

[daryn]

I've heard about sulfates growing out of the electrolyte and shorting out a cell. Batteries suck because there are a lot of things that can influence the charging system and make a battery look bad when it is actually in the electrical system. That being said sitting is what will kill a battery best. The last one I had lasted only 4 years b/c the car sat a couple months allowing the thing to discharge and silt up. Another technique I've heard of is deep charging the battery overnight at 2amps, but if the thing is dead it won't matter.

I think my battery was something like 80$ from autoboned. It still works after 1.5years.

 

[JDR280SL]

Do be very cautious about using jumper cables on a car with Bosch relays. You can very easily burn the contacts on the fuel relay and main start relay. Then your battery problems will seem minor. Better to install a good used battery until you get home and then purchase the one you want.

 

[sokoloff]

Just to wrap up this thread. I called Mercedes roadside service and they said they would bring a battery and install it. Cost to me was just the MSRP price of the battery, i.e. $135. Excellent, courteous, prompt service. Car fired right up and I drove it home today with no major issues.

New part number is A906 982 00 08, Made in Mexico, black top. Date code is B9, i.e. February, 2009. It also shows up in the price list as a SLVR CALCM B.

Len

 

[daryn]

Sweet!