Hi Nate,
I totally appreciate all the info! And I'm thrifty too, so I'm always grateful for "inexpensive but effective" tool tips etc.
So...I actually got'er out before I saw your post, but there's lotsa good stuff in here...
I only had a crescent wrench (kinda little) and obvi that's not the best, and the one nut started out a teensy bit stripped, now it's worse.
Q: I'd like to replace the nuts, what size do I get?
My buddy with the 300TD has shmancy metric wrenches with ratcheting "box" ends, guess I'll borrow those tomorrow :)
That battery IS HEAVY holy cow...but also super super clean, no corrosion or schmutz, just some dust around the bottom from sitting in the dirty tray (oh look...leaves. nice). My gf carried it halfway, she's strong...lotsa yoga or somethin ;)
A generous friend has loaned me her car, so I took the battery to O'Reilly (less than 10 min away) and asked for an overnight trickle charge (they give you a choice, yay!) and the service is free. I didn't think anything was free anymore!
I am 90% sure my problem was an electrical gremlin causing a persistant drain...been driving that thing every day with no problem...then it sits for 2.5 days and it won't start. random cabin lights will not shut off...so...that's my working hypothesis for after I get the battery back in.
Q: Is there a way to secure the battery to the tray that isn't a giant PIA? How necessary is this? (mine wasn't attached in anyway, just sitting in the shallow tray, as reported by the mechanic)
Thanks!
Caitlin in Santa Fe
--- In diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com, "Nate" <vwnate1@...> wrote:
>
>
> I see lotsa posts here and I don't want to overwhelm you but :
>
> A. you asked
>
>
> ~and~
>
> B. I'm not only a Journeyman Mechanic but also a " Yankee Thrifty " (piker cheapskate) so my suggestions will usually involve much less $ and usually some labor on your part , ready ? O.K. lets begin :
>
> Take two cheap Dollar Store wrenches , one 13 X 14 MM , one 1/2" X 9/16" , both to be the double ended typ with one open end and one closed or ' box' end , pop your hood and support it with your left hand whilst you fiddle with the little releasing lock on the leading edge of the hinge's joint with your right hand , once it pulls out a bit , you can raise the hood a tiny bit more , now go 'round and do the same thing on the right side hood hinge and the hood can easily be raised straight up , making battery service dead easy . (cool, eh ? those whacky Germans) DO NOT force it ! .
>
> Look at the battery , one cable will be obviously connected to the body , use the box end wrench that fits the nut snugly (now you see why I had you bring both Metric & Fractional tools) to loosen the nut whilst holding the cable with your other hand so it doesn't move the post & damage the battery , once the nut is a turn ot three loose , twist the clamp , as soon as it moves, reverse direction & lift gently , a few wiggles and it'll pop off , tuck it down behind the battery & repeat on the other cable & clamp , put the tools away and lift the _HEAVY_ (800 + CCA) battery out & set it on whatever you have to drag it back to the house in , old shopping cart , wagon etc. once it's home , set it in the laundry sink & wash it well with soap then connect your cheapo $13 WallyMart 3A. battery charger& leave it alone for at least 12 hours , meanwhilst you can /might / prolly should mix up a coffee can full of hot water & baking soda and use that to soak the battery cable ends until they no longer fizz , then rinse well and blot dry with paper towels .
>
> Once the battery is charged , place it back in the car and connect the + cable first , then the - Cable , it is *very* important to always disconnect the ground cable first and connect it last , this prevent sparks , fires , burned hands , ruined batteries and blindness caused when the battery explodes in your face .
>
> See if the car cranks & starts , if it clicks , try turning on the headlights ~ they work ? good , now , leave them on and see if they go out when you try to crank it .
>
> If they go out , there's a connection problem .
>
> If they remain bright and the engine doesn't crank , there's a relay / starter keyswitch problem , no worries , we'll get you going soon .
>
> How you address it , makes the job go easier and repairs last longer & co$t le$$ too =8-) .
>
> -Nate
>
