Hi everyone,
I have an ML350 2006, I drove it the car wash, 2 hrs later the car won't start and the repair shop say the battery was dead. Does the battery just die without any indication? (Note the engine wasn't washed.

Does anybody know why?

 

If the battery cells come together it will go dead instantly without warning. If the battery is original than you are probably due for replacement.

 

Ok thanks, but can the cells come together? I thought they are separated by non-corrosive materials.

 

battery is under the passenger ...pain in the butt.

 

HI, you are correct but over time, use and the constant movement the material breaks down and contact between the cells occurs. One of the frustrations is there is usually no warning and you are left with a dead battery. It has happened to me twice on two separate vehicles and the cause was the same.............a old battery were the cells came together.

It is worth a try to have you mechanic test the battery to see if it will respond when you put a load on it and also see if the battery will accept a charge.