smart fails to cold start

[jwight]

After a couple of pretty cold nights (-13, -2) with the smart sitting outside, and after a change to Mobil 1 0W40 a couple of days before, thought this would be a good test:



Good test, but the smart failed. Not enough battery power is my guess, so it's on the charger (10 amp) right now.

[24-42]

Originally Posted by jwight

Good test, but the smart failed. Not enough battery power is my guess, so it's on the charger (10 amp) right now.

Just as you change to snow tires ( and they didn't come with the car) I suggest you think about changing the battery. I think the stock battery is about 450 'CA' ( not 'cca'), the Optima 34/78 (800cca (0 deg F). 6 yr Warranty, 36mo free replacement - 36 MO pro rat.). $139. Sam's Club.

Donald LaFavor

[jetfuel]

...jw..you are going from position 0 to position 2 without stopping at position 1, allow the computer to run it's diagnostic and turn the cluster lights on before engaging the starter...just a thought...
...jetfuel

[chieftmc]

Originally Posted by 24-42

Just as you change to snow tires ( and they didn't come with the car) I suggest you think about changing the battery. I think the stock battery is about 450 'CA' ( not 'cca'), the Optima 34/78 (800cca (0 deg F). 6 yr Warranty, 36mo free replacement - 36 MO pro rat.). $139. Sam's Club.

Donald LaFavor

Don,
Is that an "exact" replacement or do you have to "mess" with the cables?

[Duckhunter]

Originally Posted by chieftmc

Don,
Is that an "exact" replacement or do you have to "mess" with the cables?

I think that is the one I put in mine and just had to put in a slightly longer ground from 6" to 12". Bolts to tridion right next to battery.

[jefferios]

SAME EXACT thing happened to me jw. It was the cold and the battery couldn't provide the amps to start the engine I was told by the Penske Jumpers who came to help me out.

While watching your video after the 2nd failure, I was expecting profanity, or crying...I didn't hear either!!!

[Macaw]

Had no problem with our '08 or '09 at -17 and the '08 sat for 3-days not started. Both sit outside in the howling wind too.

[24-42]

Originally Posted by chieftmc

Don,
Is that an "exact" replacement or do you have to "mess" with the cables?

I found that the posts are reversed from OEM, however Mercedes provides for either post pattern.

PLUS post: Long enough to reach.

NEGATIVE post: There is a stud protruding from the floor at each end of the battery box. For the 34/78, just move the NEG cable from the stud (10mm nut) to the protruding stud on the floor at the other end of the battery box. Be sure to place the wider flat side of the nut down (It is serrated and has a larger surface for electrical conductivity. Scratching away the paint on the floor away from an area around the post (the size of the terminal) will also assure a good electrical connection.

Batt Hold down: No modification necessary.

Batt Vent: No Batt vent necessary ( You may plug hole in the bottom of the battery box) The Optima is COMPLETELY sealed. NO GASSING !

QUESTIONS ?

Donald LaFavor

[jwight]

Good news - about an hour on the charger and it fired right up; my guess is it was just below the trigger voltage needed to start everything up. Took it out for a longish run to the store and it started fine again, so it's getting another night outside.

Donald, this battery is about a year old (01/08 build date) and with any other car that wouldn't call for changing the battery. Surely they don't have to replace the battery after a year in Canada, Sweden or Norway?

We'll see what happens tomorrow.

PS -

While watching your video after the 2nd failure, I was expecting profanity, or crying...I didn't hear either!!!

No, not until the camera was off!

[24-42]

My experience through the years has been; There is a large variance in consistency of quality control with ALL European batteries, specifically Varta and surprisingly Bosch. Lucas ?...... (well, what can I say?).

I'll put the French and the Italians in the same boat but, Joseph Lucas remains the captain.

Donald LaFavor