Hello, all you wonderful and knowledgable GLA enthusiasts!
This morning, I got the "Auxiliary Battery Malfunction" warning message. It was a cold morning (maybe around 30 degrees F). Everything functioned as usual, but this prompts me to address another issue I was ignoring for a while: my eco start/stop hasn't worked for months. I have mixed feelings about the Eco S/S, so I didn't do much about it except ask my husband to check the voltage on both batteries and he said they were fine (just hooking up his multimeter to each battery after the car had been sitting for a while---no load-testing or anything). I just filed it away as something to mention when I have to take the car in for service next (dreading dealing with dealerships).
When I think back to when my Eco S/S probably stopped working, I believe it was after I had let the battery die by leaving the key in accessory mode and leaving the radio on...for hours (I know, it was stupid...using my car as a boom box...I got distracted and when I came back to the car the battery was dead). I started the car with a jump box, got it home and left it on the charger for the night. It took the charge just fine, and I've had no trouble with the (main) battery ever since (well, it always starts nice and strong anyway). However, when I look back I think---but cannot be positive---that's when the Eco Start/Stop stopped working.
Fast-forward maybe 5 months and today I got that Aux Battery message this morning. I read a lot about the batteries in posts and links from this board. I am perfectly comfortable replacing that aux battery and have found them for sale at $50-150 (price variation depending on whether or not they sport that 3-pointed star!). But, I wonder: should I do more troubleshooting first to make sure the issue isn't with the main battery or something else, and the aux battery failure isn't just a symptom of the real problem? Is there any harm in just replacing the aux battery and seeing what happens?
Somewhat related question: am I going to get crap about warranties or something if I put an aftermarket aux (or main) battery in this thing? MB does like to keep you in a co-dependent relationship with their super-special parts (not), super-special tools (not), super-special mechanics (haven't found a decent one yet), and super-SUPER-special prices. I'm all for aftermarket and freedom of consumer choice, but not if it will negate my whole CPO warranty!
Thank you in advance for your advice!
Christine in Philly
This morning, I got the "Auxiliary Battery Malfunction" warning message. It was a cold morning (maybe around 30 degrees F). Everything functioned as usual, but this prompts me to address another issue I was ignoring for a while: my eco start/stop hasn't worked for months. I have mixed feelings about the Eco S/S, so I didn't do much about it except ask my husband to check the voltage on both batteries and he said they were fine (just hooking up his multimeter to each battery after the car had been sitting for a while---no load-testing or anything). I just filed it away as something to mention when I have to take the car in for service next (dreading dealing with dealerships).
When I think back to when my Eco S/S probably stopped working, I believe it was after I had let the battery die by leaving the key in accessory mode and leaving the radio on...for hours (I know, it was stupid...using my car as a boom box...I got distracted and when I came back to the car the battery was dead). I started the car with a jump box, got it home and left it on the charger for the night. It took the charge just fine, and I've had no trouble with the (main) battery ever since (well, it always starts nice and strong anyway). However, when I look back I think---but cannot be positive---that's when the Eco Start/Stop stopped working.
Fast-forward maybe 5 months and today I got that Aux Battery message this morning. I read a lot about the batteries in posts and links from this board. I am perfectly comfortable replacing that aux battery and have found them for sale at $50-150 (price variation depending on whether or not they sport that 3-pointed star!). But, I wonder: should I do more troubleshooting first to make sure the issue isn't with the main battery or something else, and the aux battery failure isn't just a symptom of the real problem? Is there any harm in just replacing the aux battery and seeing what happens?
Somewhat related question: am I going to get crap about warranties or something if I put an aftermarket aux (or main) battery in this thing? MB does like to keep you in a co-dependent relationship with their super-special parts (not), super-special tools (not), super-special mechanics (haven't found a decent one yet), and super-SUPER-special prices. I'm all for aftermarket and freedom of consumer choice, but not if it will negate my whole CPO warranty!
Thank you in advance for your advice!
Christine in Philly