loss of holding battery charge- mercedes E-Class

[flissy]

my 5 yr old Merc E-class 220cdi has started to lose it battery charge completely when the weather has been very cold, below -3c,and has stood for 24 hrs and of course the car wont start. Its now happened twice in the last month. its ok after a 15 >30min charge and starts no problem. Is this a sign of the battery packing in or any other answer ?

[TWR]

Replace the battery, Have you checked if the Cells are topped up? If not, top them up recharge, check your charger if OK, try if still loosing charge, replace.

[flissy]

thank you for your assistance

[grasscarp]

Snap. This happened to me yesterday on my 10 year old Mercedes SLK. After a jump start, no problem.

[flissy]

someone has told me it could also be a bad earth or a fault on the alternator not producing enough charge also the battery is sealed when I looked to see if levels ok so I am at a loss what to think now.

[TWR]

Ist chance you get flissy, take it to your local Elect Auto Small garage & get them to test the battery, this time of year the battery gets the hammer with the heater, rear demister, lights, radio & all the electrics, If its a sealed battery (I should have asked) as you have said, check your earth connections fan belt, you would know if the alternator was not doing its job by a faint Ing light on your dash, if all I have stated are right I think it will be a new battery time.

[flissy]

many thanks, I am holding my breath for the next freeze night. I will have to go and get a check up as you say.
I have sprayed it with wd40 over all the cables that I can see to see if that helps in the meantime I will search cost a new battery. ouch!

[TWR]

Hi flissy, just a tip should you get to the point that you need a new Battery do not opt for a cheapy, for the size of your car & also being a diesel get a heavy duty they do come with a 3 year Guarantee, & are reliable.

[flissy]

Thanks to all for the help shown. I have booked it in for a check up as it is 5 yrs old and a lot of stop start. If its any different than the battery, I will post it .Once again a big thank you and all the best for Xmas and the New Year