What is standard in a Lancaster Merc service

[jo strummer]

Morning people

my battery has gone dead in the ML430 "not taking a charge". Now the car had a full service in December and then had to go back again in March. The car kept stalling not starting a sensor was diagnosed and cost me £450. Car now needs a new battery "no water in it sir, run dry" which is £170 and they say it also needs an air sensor as its running choppy total bill £500.

The car goes back end of this month. Should the battery have been checked at the service? Could it run out of water between now and December? Car does about 500 miles a month. W 2000 is the age.

[Parrot of Doom]

£170 is a massive piss take. Look at the battery, find the product code on it or the capacity, and go to Mercedes Trucks/Vans - they'll sell you the same battery but it will be cheaper.

[CatherineJ]

P.o.D have you got repetitive strain injury there?

[jo strummer]

Parrot of Doom said:

£170 is a massive piss take. Look at the battery, find the product code on it or the capacity, and go to Mercedes Trucks/Vans - they'll sell you the same battery but it will be cheaper.

I was told that if I just unhooked the battery it would bugger up the vehicle management software unless I got the battery back connected in under 30 seconds.

[Parrot of Doom]

jo strummer said:

Parrot of Doom said:

£170 is a massive piss take. Look at the battery, find the product code on it or the capacity, and go to Mercedes Trucks/Vans - they'll sell you the same battery but it will be cheaper.

I was told that if I just unhooked the battery it would bugger up the vehicle management software unless I got the battery back connected in under 30 seconds.

Personally I find that a bit of a ludicrous statement, but I tell you what - since I couldn't say for sure (although I doubt it's true), you should ask user Television on here:

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/index.php

[jo strummer]

Parrot of Doom said:

jo strummer said:

Parrot of Doom said:

£170 is a massive piss take. Look at the battery, find the product code on it or the capacity, and go to Mercedes Trucks/Vans - they'll sell you the same battery but it will be cheaper.

I was told that if I just unhooked the battery it would bugger up the vehicle management software unless I got the battery back connected in under 30 seconds.

Personally I find that a bit of a ludicrous statement, but I tell you what - since I couldn't say for sure (although I doubt it's true), you should ask user Television on here:

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/index.php

A "ludicrous statement" ahh very balanced response you fall on your head this morning? I was told that it affects the Vehicle Management system by the guy from the recovery firm.

[Parrot of Doom]

Not your statement, the recovery guy's statement.

I've had my battery unplugged many times, and all that happened is I had to reset the window switches - it takes 10 seconds and needs no tools.

Mercedes told me my gearbox fluid couldn't be replaced as it was a 'lifetime fill' and that it would never be right once I'd done it. Funny, its been perfect since I did.

Ask on that forum and you'll get your answer, but I'm very sceptical.

Edited by Parrot of Doom on Wednesday 13th June 19:29

[Howitzer]

If the battery has run dry in that short space of time i'd say there is a chance the battery has been overcharged and cooked itself.

Unless you have a leak batterys shouldn't lose fluid unless there is an electrical fault somewhere.

Dave!