Sprinter Starting Problems

[Ron J. Moore]

I have been reading on F/B of Sprinter owners having to start their engines every few days to keep the battery charged. I read where some folks are purchasing the Trickle Start to handle it. What is so different in the Sprinter that mandates this? I can't imagine storing it for months....better carry a portable jump start. Thanks, Ron

[avanti]

Originally Posted by Ron J. Moore

I have been reading on F/B of Sprinter owners having to start their engines every few days to keep the battery charged. I read where some folks are purchasing the Trickle Start to handle it. What is so different in the Sprinter that mandates this? I can't imagine storing it for months....better carry a portable jump start. Thanks, Ron

Fake news. Sprinters (or at least mine) are no better or worse than other modern cars with lots of electronics. You can't go for months at a time, but every few days is nonsense. Additionally, Sprinters have a very handy ground disconnect feature (down by the accelerator pedal) if you DO have to park for months. Takes 10 seconds.

That said, I do now have a Trik-L-Start. Cheap, easy, and very effective. Well worth it if you park outside and have solar. Takes the whole issue out of the equation. Only really matters over the winter, though.

[Ron J. Moore]

Thanks Avanti. Like I said, all I know is what I read from folks on F/B, and knew we have guys here who can tell me the straight scoop. Ron

[docman5]

Originally Posted by avanti

Fake news. Sprinters (or at least mine) are no better or worse than other modern cars with lots of electronics. You can't go for months at a time, but every few days is nonsense. Additionally, Sprinters have a very handy ground disconnect feature (down by the accelerator pedal) if you DO have to park for months. Takes 10 seconds.

That said, I do now have a Trik-L-Start. Cheap, easy, and very effective. Well worth it if you park outside and have solar. Takes the whole issue out of the equation. Only really matters over the winter, though.

I agree. It is not the Sprinter but the battery. I once had my battery go bad (after about 6 years of use) and I couldn't get the Sprinter diesel to jump off. Had to replace the battery before it would start. I keep a smart charger on it at all times it is in storage.

[OldKansan]

Only time I had an issue was when I left something plugged into cigarette lighter & drained the battery. Other than that, i’ve had mine set for 2-4 or more weeks with no problem. When not in regular use, I store indoors & use a trickle charger to keep it up, but as I said, with out the charger I have still had no issues with it setting for a few weeks. My guess is people have something on or plugged in like I did, & don’t know it.

[Gary Mn]

Originally Posted by Ron J. Moore

I have been reading on F/B of Sprinter owners having to start their engines every few days to keep the battery charged. I read where some folks are purchasing the Trickle Start to handle it. What is so different in the Sprinter that mandates this? I can't imagine storing it for months....better carry a portable jump start. Thanks, Ron

I store my RS away from my home without shore power for weeks at a time and in summer have not had an issue. I make certain the coach power switch is off and no other parasitic drain is on. On occasions I pull off the ground to the battery isolator which is the biggest parasitic drain I have on my rig. If during winter or if for longer periods of time I disconnect the vehicle battery with the "switch" near the accelerator and the coach batteries with a switch I installed.