What could be better than freezing temperatures, constant rain and a dead battery? Unloading everything OUT of the van for its trip to the next town up .... also in the rain!
True to Mercedes Towing, they sent me twelve messages regarding the tow truck that was to arrive. I called the tow truck company to explain to them that this was not JUST a van, but an RV van with generator and propane tank 8" off the concrete.
Okay he said ... that will be about four hours before I can get a big truck there. MY suggestion was to please send the BATTERY JUMP guy to see if we could get it started. He said good idea.
Forty minutes later, Tony arrived. Tony saved my day!!
What a GREAT kid. He said he gets lots of calls for these vans ... no surprise. Every one built in the last three or four years has the exact same problem. He hooked this gadget up to the hot and neutral posts under the hood. They stuck like glue because the alligator clips are much stronger than the flimsy battery charger ones.
Go ahead he said ... start it up. NOW? We don't have to wait? He laughed! Hit the button he said ... and it started right up. I NEED ONE OF THESE! In fact, I ordered one. You plug it in and it will give a minimum of ten jumps to any vehicle. Charge it up with an extension cord.
He waited while it kept running ... just to be sure. We talked about a hard wired charger to the battery itself. I'll look into that next week.
He left after a REAL handshake. I like that kid!! And so with a big sigh and a still nagging headache, I drove off into the rainstorm of rainstorms. The computer is out of its ever loving mind, but it was still moving the wheels down the road, so I kept going.
The left turn signal red light (someone is beside you) kept going on and off for the first ten miles. It was a two lane road. The windshield wipers would work ... not work ... work screaming fast ... go really REALLY slow and then stop again. At least this time the brake lights worked.
The storm got so bad I finally turned off on a side road and went the back way to the freeway, before heading home. An hour later, I pulled into the driveway.
I called the Mercedes repair shop to tell them it was NOT being towed in, but I needed an appointment to unscramble the computer's brain. I'm in at 7:30 THIS morning. That is way too early to be at the shop an hour away, but I guess I have no choice. I have to wait for it since I have no ride, so I will try my best to be on time.
Then began the UNPACK because they don't want anything near the front seats and I don't want anything expensive left inside. An hour later the sun actually came out for a bit, but I looked like a drowned rat!
To make it even more fun, I had to attend an Elks Lodge meeting that I truly wanted to miss. It lasted 90 minutes before I was headed home.
Wish me luck today!!
Wishing you good luck and great day.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget to block the doggie door.
(I still hate your van. ;o)
Hahaha ... I was so tired I forgot the door, but it was okay this time.
DeleteThose Battery packs are great.
ReplyDeleteWhat an easy way to get a jump. Much better than using my truck.
DeleteIs it possible your van is a lemon? My oh my, that is crazy the troubles you've had!
ReplyDeleteNo ... it's just all the electronics. And possibly the Co2 detector. It may be hooked to the chassis battery.
DeleteNo my goodness what an ordeal.
ReplyDeleteI hope they get to the bottom of your problem.
Frances:)
I like challenges, but this one has been a biggie.
DeleteSeems the more these things rely on computers, the more they breakdown...
ReplyDeleteYou are so right Dave!!
DeleteSorry you have had so many problems with your van. Hope they can get things fixed for you.
ReplyDeleteSue
I think we have a solution.
DeleteMr. Ed said To reset a Mercedes Sprinter RV's computers after a battery disconnect, or a dead start turn the ignition on for 30 seconds without starting, then start the engine and idle for 5-10 minutes. For a full ECU hard reset, disconnect the negative terminal for 15-30 minutes, or use a high-level OBD2 scanner to clear volatile memory. That OBD scanner every garage and backyard mechanic has won. All it is is a code reader, and it clears the codes The costs are anywhere from $ 20 Walmart to 100. To the full computer that most garage will have they’ll usually charge you 100 to 150 for a code print out and a reset of that print out afterwards. If you’re going to take it to a Mercedes garage, have them do a print out of before they reset and a print out after they do a reset have them explain it to you keep it in your folders
ReplyDeleteThere is a number of components on your vehicle that do require a reset on a sprinter van there are a number of computermodules And different ways to reset them that are different than a ECM hard start. That’s why it’s best to find a mechanic In your hometown that knows British German and Swedish vehicles Long time ago if you remember, I told you have your mechanic install a permanent battery maintainer. Mercedes BMWs Our a whole different species of vehicles, and are not vehicles to sit and look at they’re meant to be driven that’s how you avoid Battery issues And computer module issues
DeleteI just found a local mechanic that works on European cars. At least I won't have to drive so far.
DeleteWishing you lots and lots of Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteThank you Deb!!
DeleteTim has two of those jump start things which is such a good invention, no need for another car and jump leads
ReplyDeleteExactly! Should make things easier!
Delete