Dying battery??

[camcondor]

Looking for some urgent advice before the morning if possible so I avoid an expensive trip to the Mercedes main dealer!!!!

Jen's SLK, a V-Reg 1999 model, started making a wailing noise today when switched off which I think I've tracked down to the factory fitted alarm sounder under the bonnet. The remote still switches the alarm on/off and operates the central locking, but the usual "tweet-tweet" of the alarm when using the remote to lock/unlock has been replaced by this ongoing wail/whine. It was so high pitched (and loud) that I disconnected the battery (which cured it of course!) tonight.

Car started fine when used earlier today. The battery, on examination appears to be the original factory fitted German battery which is probably doing amazingly well given the age of the car......I thought this was probably a dying / poorly battery, what advice do the techhies out there have?

I can't chance Jen being stranded so am taking it to Leicester when I go to work tomorrow and wondering whether its a main dealer stop I should make (always pricey) or just a battery change (much better).

Please advise what you think the problem may be......


Thanks


Laurie

 

[TestPoster]

Hi Laurie
As usual more questions than answers I am afraid.....
If the alarm is still sounding when you connect the battery how can you be sure that the car will start? Maybe something has happened and the alarm has triggered and set the immobiliser? If it will start and drive, I would advise going to a local garage on the way and getting the battery checked, possibly the voltage has dropped to a level that the alarm thinks it has been disconnected and has triggered?
I would certainly try to get the battery checked before giving it to Mercedes.....
Hope this helps

Keith

Ps Have a great 2008 :thumb:

 

[camcondor]

Thanks Keith, as I thought it may be battery. Car starts fine and locks / unlocks when remote is used in usual fashion - its just the siren that seems to be misbehaving. Central Locking pump (PSE I think Mercedes call it) was replaced about 6 months ago when it failed, apparently several systems are linked to this on an SLK.
Apparently siren failure does occur on these cars, so maybe it is that. Will check battery first though as main dealer always rubs its hands in glee when it sees me:Sad:

Looking forward to seeing your new coach in the New Year - have a happy and properous 2008!!!

Laurie

 

[camcondor]

Problem has been traced to a faulty siren. The battery is amazingly fine, despite being 8-9 years old - original Benz white battery!!!

Problem is Merc has stopped stocking parts for these MBSS alarms which were fitted standard to many of their vehicles throughout the 80's and 90's. The siren is disconnected now but the alarm is still functional with immobiliser in every other respect.

I've been trawling around trying to source the siren as its really easy to replace, but no success so far. Not keen on having to fit a brand new system.......

Laurie

 

[American Dream]

Is the siren vehicle specific then Laurie?Glad you sorted the problem.

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[Lindy-C]

Hi Laurie

Just a thought, have you checked on Ebay?

A quick search in Ebay shops unearthed this:
Link Removed

 

[camcondor]

Thanks Linda, I got quite excited about it as I had already trawled eBay and found nothing, but its not the MBSS siren used in the models up to 1999......mores the pity!!!

Found one at Mercland specialist breakers for £62 including courier - has a 6 month warranty on it. Suppose its worth a try rather than having to put a new alarm /immob system in for £300.....and I should be able to fit it easily myself without troubling the main stealership.......diagnosis of the fault cost £103 today and a 2 and a half hour wait at Mercedes Leicester.......I suppose they at least fixed a few blown bulbs and an earth wire as well in the price and it wasn't a booked appointment, just a spec. At least they usually help when one drives in in some distress, but it certainly costs!!!

A few weeks back, again in Leicester, the Hyundai front driving beams failed and the Wigston Hyundai dealership price for an electrical check by auto electrician and new bulbs was under £30.....the price of the Merc name I guess!!!

I'm fed up with poorly vehicles.....:Sad:Isuppose we've got too many elderly cars!! The old Rangie was clobbered on the way back from Peterborough by a truck undertaking me on the left where the road narrowed on the Leicester ring road in November - body repair was a stagerring £2000 but at least insurance picked up that tab. I thought that I may as well have an oil leak sorted while it was away, and the air suspension pump decided to finally call it a day as well as the air conditioning blower motor.....ENOUGH you would think......but the oil leak wasn't where we thought it was, but from the back of one of the heads. Then Xmas sodding well arrives and the engineering workshop decided to close up for festivities early and the heads lay in waiting till today......so......no Rangie and awful weather forecast for the next few days. :Sad: Bother..........if only I could have a new car every few years like most other people seem to do!!!!!!!!

Not the best mechanical start to the New Year I've ever had


Laurie

 

[TestPoster]

Well at least the Merc is still running well Laurie :thumb: and it won't cost a fortune to sort out thankfully....
The Rangie has cost a small fortune by the sound of it, you have now had the 3 most expensive jobs done on it so it should give you a few years back for the outlay, don't trade it now
Good luck with the siren, let us know how you get on :thumb:

Keith