NHTSA Complaint #10100973 — 1994 MERCEDES BENZ C220

WE ARE EXPERIENCING AN INTERMITTENT, PARASITIC DRAIN OF OUR NEW ( LESS THAN 6 MONTHS OLD) BATTERY WITHIN A 12 HOUR WINDOW. IF WE CATCH IT BEFORE THE 12 HOURS, WE _CAN_ START THE C220. IF WE WAIT LONGER THAN 12 HOURS, THE BATTERY IS UNABLE TO ENGAGE THE STARTER SELENOID. IT IS ALSO UNABLE TO POWER _ANY_ OF THE VEHICLE SYSTEMS - NO LIGHTS, NO DASH INSTRUMENTATION, NO RADIO, NOTHING WORKS. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 ( THREE) TIMES - EACH TIME REQUIRING A JUMP START. MB ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS INVOLVED IN THE FIRST 2 (TWO) EPISODES, AND REPLACED THE BATTERY. THEY STATED THE PROBLEM WAS _NOT_ WITH THE BATTERY OR CHARGING SYSTEM AND SUGGESTED WE HAVE THE VEHICLE TESTED. WE HAD THE TESTING DONE AT MAINLY BENZ SERVICE - 845.452.3645 - WITH NO FAULTS FOUND. THEY SAY NOTHING IS WRONG. WITHIN THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS, THE C220 WORKED JUST FINE - WE HAVE NOT KEPT A LOG ON THE EVENTS, BUT WE HAVE NOTICED THAT THE TIME-FRAME IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY SHORTER - NOW ABOUT 12 HOURS - DOWN FROM 14 DAYS - BEFORE THE BATTERY IS TOTALLY DRAINED. WHILE THIS IS NOT LIFE-THREATENING - IT IS CERTAINLY ANNOYING. I EXPECT MORE FROM THE ENGINEERS AT MB. WE HAVE AN EXPENSIVE - GREAT LOOKING - PAPERWEIGHT.