battery Questions

[yuriahellis]

So my dad left me reading light on in my 87 190d. every time I would jump start it(which took 15min) then drive around for 20min then turn it off. When I would try and start it again it would be dead. I was under the impression that it should hold it charge enough to start after it had been driving, is there something else going on or should i just recharge the battery?

[danwatt]

Diesel engines take a lot more power to start than your regular gasser, not exactly easy to jump start in the first place. I would drive it around longer keeping the rpms higher to charge the battery back up, or just invest in a battery charger that plugs into an AC outlet.

[grandpafixit]

definitely buy the charger you're wasting time and gas trying to charge it driving around unless you're going some where and can leave it running for a while when you get there, lights radio fans etc. all take away from what goes to recharge the battery besides the alternator is only meant to top up a good battery not recharge a dead one.

[AMGViper]

Wait, before buying anything have the battery tested because you may be trying to charge a battery that won't hold a charge. Second, replace or inspect your battery connection wires. And third, you might want to consider replacing your glow plugs. A 190D should start in freezing ass weather without a jump start with no effort

[grandpafixit]

every car owner should have a charger you never know when you have a senior moment or a brainfart and leave something on overnight and no one's around for a boost.IMO