Mercedes R230 SL55 consumer battery drain - FIX
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If the battery in your car runs down after just a few days, the chances are something is draining the battery. This video shows how to determine whether you have a battery draw and how to quickly locate the source of the problem.
Often people will try and diagnose a battery drain by removing fuses, but not all battery draws are on a fused circuit. Similarly, it’s difficult to ascertain the level of your battery draw using a standard voltmeter on a car like a Mercedes R230, because the voltage and current spikes are likely to blow the fuse in your voltmeter.
@user-kb8jn4oe5r 8 ай бұрын
Mike your becoming a pro at finding the current drains, goes to show that buying quality tools pays off in the long run... Well done
@MikesMercsandothercars 8 ай бұрын
Thanks for your comment. Yes - having the right tools makes this job a breeze. Mike
@celts153 8 ай бұрын
Nice job ! You are very well equiped ! In my 2002 500 SL (same chassis as yours) alarm module was causing the drain ! The siren block (under the front wing) is equipped with an autonomous battery which was faulty and drained the main battery. Remove it and done (after verifying glove box as you already shown). That’s also a common issue on these cars. 👍
@MikesMercsandothercars 8 ай бұрын
Good to hear from you., Funny you should mention the alarm because I don't think mine has worked since I got the car. In fact...you have inspired me to see if the horn actually works. So far I have had no need to try it! Mike
@ricksworlddereaux2397 8 ай бұрын
I use a breakerswitch on.my Battery..if it stays longer..and use the emergency key..to acces the car,and activate it.
@MikesMercsandothercars 8 ай бұрын
Hi - is that because don't use your car for months on end and the battery is always flat. A good battery with the correct 56mA draw should last 2-3 weeks.... or do you use a breaker switch because the battery runs down really quickly? Mike@@ricksworlddereaux2397
@ricksworlddereaux2397 8 ай бұрын
@@MikesMercsandothercars No if it stays more then 3 days..you need disconnect any battery.or it drains out..its common knowledge.🫡
@MikesMercsandothercars 8 ай бұрын
@@ricksworlddereaux2397 If your consumer battery is only lasting 3 days, either the battery is knackered or you have a current draw...or both. In my experience, many of these batteries become ruined (no longer hold full charge) because the car has a battery draw and then the owners drive short distances until the consumer warning goes off...but they never fully charge the battery. Remember that at 12.2V the battery is 50% discharged. Where do you live - if you are in UK and ever get close to Bristol, you can borrow my clamp meter. Mike
@endaf 8 ай бұрын
Thanks, I disconnected it straight after the video, will check it in the morning
@MikesMercsandothercars 8 ай бұрын
Those battery draws can be a real pain...if you have this problem, I hope you get it solved. Mike
@Richard57072 8 ай бұрын
Great video Mike. You have inspired me to find my current draw. I’m hoping it’s the phone cradle too. Just need to get a thermal imaging camera ….
@MikesMercsandothercars 8 ай бұрын
Thanks for your comment. Where are you based? Mike
@Richard57072 8 ай бұрын
@@MikesMercsandothercars Hi Mike I’m in Kent near Brands. I’ve just managed to get a camera on eBay 😀👍
@MikesMercsandothercars 8 ай бұрын
Great - let me know how it goes. Ideally you also need a decent clamp meter like the Fluke 325 which can read DC current to 2 decimal places. That way, you can ascertain the extent of the draw and also if you have fixed it. They are not cheap but Christmas is coming up and you could treat yourself.....costs about the same as a full tank of fuel! Mike @@Richard57072
@Richard57072 8 ай бұрын
@@MikesMercsandothercars good point. I’ll have a look for one of those too 👍
@MikesMercsandothercars 8 ай бұрын
Just make sure you get one that does DC current (most only do AC) and also one that reads down to 10mA - most only read 100mA which is not ideal for the R230 as the current draw should be between 50-60mA. Fluke 325 is perfect. Mike@@Richard57072
@James-fo8rf 8 ай бұрын
Nice find. I might check my Nokia charger. I have cheap thermal sensor. 👍. I previously clean the crystals inside the pse pump connector which made a difference. Cheers
@MikesMercsandothercars 8 ай бұрын
Thanks for your comment. Yes...if the PSE pump gets damp that can cause all sorts of problems. If everything is working as it should, consumer battery should last 2 -3 weeks and be drawing just 50-60mA after about 20minutes of locking the car. That Fluke 325 clamp meter is fantastic is you have an R230. Mike
@m60kaf 27 күн бұрын
That was very interesting
@MikesMercsandothercars 26 күн бұрын
Thanks - it can be super quick finding those parasitic battery draws with a thermal camera. I think many of the problems with the many R230's is that owners have a parasitic draw on the consumer battery that they are not aware of...and thus the alternator is constantly working hard to try and maintain the charge in the consumer battery. Mike
@cav4290 8 ай бұрын
Mike, have you checked if you have the dreaded rear boot water leak? This is a very critical issue for all R230.
@MikesMercsandothercars 8 ай бұрын
Hi - good to hear from you. This car lives a sheltered life in my garage. I think it is the only vehicle I have without a leak. Mike
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