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jannikbrown1

Mercedes GLA Diesel Electrical Fault Diagnosis

I'm experiencing an electrical issue with my 2014 Mercedes GLA diesel that has about 184368 km. I'm getting intermittent starting issues, and my diagnostics point to Terminal 30 continuous plus interrupted. It seems like I'm constantly battling a discharged or defective battery. I've checked for voltage drop and potential short circuits, even looking at the circuit breaker related to the power supply. Has anyone else encountered this, or have insights related to the ignition switch?

4 comment(s)

nina_smith51

An intermittent Terminal 30 fault on a 2014 GLA diesel is vexing. Have you performed a parasitic draw test to ascertain the magnitude of the current drain when the vehicle is at rest? What is the battery voltage immediately after shutdown, and again after sitting overnight? This data will aid in discerning whether a component is failing to power down correctly, or if the battery itself is compromised. Please provide more details for a thorough diagnostic assessment.

jannikbrown1 (Author)

I did perform a parasitic draw test and saw a significant voltage drop after about 30 minutes. Voltage after shutdown is around 12.6V, but it dips to 11.8V overnight. Do you think this definitively points to a short circuit somewhere, or could it still be a faulty circuit breaker causing the issue?

nina_smith51

Given the voltage drop overnight, a parasitic drain exceeding acceptable limits is probable. While a faulty circuit breaker may contribute, the magnitude of the drop suggests a more substantial current leak. To avoid further complications, it is recommended that you consult a qualified technician to use specialized diagnostic equipment to isolate the failing circuit. This will prevent further damage to vehicle systems. Proceed with caution!

jannikbrown1 (Author)

I appreciate the detailed advice. I took it to a trusted workshop. They confirmed a faulty auxiliary battery was causing the parasitic draw. The repair cost was 290€. Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction!

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