Can I change my chassis battery?

[Pixelbum1]

I read in my '11 Solera 24S manual as to where the engine battery lies(underneath the drivers floorboard), then tried to get to it. Hah!
Yeah, RIIIGHT? It looks like an easy procedure once I remove a few
of the torx screws BUT trying to peel back (and out?) the plastic
floorboard in that area seems impossible w/o forcing or breaking the
ends of the covering off?? Do I have to remove the driver's seat and
box to do this for crying out loud? I stopped short and have yet to see
this particular battery with my eyes...no problemo for the coach batts.
What happens if the battery finally goes belly up and I need to get to it
for a swap? Have the unit towed to a dealer? Holy crap!

As you can see I'm all questions-and-doubt and need help here. Has been
an enigma from day one but needs to be answered fairly soon. Somebody please
help with the details and\or pics which would help greatly. I am fairly handy
with tools but this one stopped me short. Seems like a LOT of work to do
this one! -PB

[Mikegjax]

Originally Posted by Pixelbum1

I read in my '11 Solera 24S manual as to where the engine battery lies(underneath the drivers floorboard), then tried to get to it. Hah!
Yeah, RIIIGHT? It looks like an easy procedure once I remove a few
of the torx screws BUT trying to peel back (and out?) the plastic
floorboard in that area seems impossible w/o forcing or breaking the
ends of the covering off?? Do I have to remove the driver's seat and
box to do this for crying out loud? I stopped short and have yet to see
this particular battery with my eyes...no problemo for the coach batts.
What happens if the battery finally goes belly up and I need to get to it
for a swap? Have the unit towed to a dealer? Holy crap!

As you can see I'm all questions-and-doubt and need help here. Has been
an enigma from day one but needs to be answered fairly soon. Somebody please
help with the details and\or pics which would help greatly. I am fairly handy
with tools but this one stopped me short. Seems like a LOT of work to do
this one! -PB

I am checking my Maintenance Manual and will get back shortly.

[Mikegjax]

Originally Posted by Mikegjax

I am checking my Maintenance Manual and will get back shortly.

This is from the MB Maintenance Manuel. Hope it helps. Does not look to difficult. Seat does not need to be removed.

[hkreck]

I have a 2011 24S and have had the battery compartment open. The rubber floor mat should just peel back from the firewall the expose the battery compartment. If your still having problems can you post some pictures so we can see what the problem is?

[Pixelbum1]

Dear Mike & Henry-
You guys have saved me before. Mike-thanks for the .pdf's...have them printed and will take out to the driver's side with me when I start the procedure. Henry...I think I didn't completely remove my floor mat on the first try and because of this probably did not see the black batt compartment cover!? I was really focused on that door sill area where the Torx screws lie and thought it was directly below "that"...oops? I will go out in a few min. and check this out. I just know it's gotta be easier then how it appears!

Everything else on the unit appears to be laid out with the good ol' MB Teutonic logic &
wisdom and couldn't figure what they were up to with this one? Anyway, I will report back to you two after I explore. I have a bad feeling that I'm going to have to air mail both of you guys a case of Heineken after this is over? ...PB

[Pixelbum1]

Boy, oh boy! Was THAT easy, or what? I just didn't lift enough things up...Henry...that "rubber" matt to me, then, looked like a permanent floorboard cover when I first tried it.
Problem solved!! And...pass the cheese I guess? I thank you BOTH for your quick help and responses. Damn this is a GREAT site!!! Woo hoo.

PS: I must have been in "Italian" organizer mode, then... yipes.

[Mikegjax]

Originally Posted by Pixelbum1

Boy, oh boy! Was THAT easy, or what? I just didn't lift enough things up...Henry...that "rubber" matt to me, then, looked like a permanent floorboard cover when I first tried it.
Problem solved!! And...pass the cheese I guess? I thank you BOTH for your quick help and responses. Damn this is a GREAT site!!! Woo hoo.

PS: I must have been in "Italian" organizer mode, then... yipes.

Did you get the info I sent you on the maintenance manual?

[RedLdr1]

Originally Posted by Mikegjax

Did you get the info I sent you on the maintenance manual?

Where did you get your maintenance / shop manual?

[Pixelbum1]

Mike- I received the two .pdf's for sure and the photo's gave me the insight I needed plus a little suggestion from Henry(lift it ALL up...duh). Mission accomplished but then after that I sent you a thanks and question as did RedLdr1 above...where can we get the maintenance manual (eBay?) and approx. how much, etc.? Gotta get it as the coach
manual that is on the FR site is kinda generic and not really specific to my year per se.
If it wasn't for this site tho I'd be lost many a good time with my Solera maintenance
items. I almost hate to bother people on the site about my dumb#ss problems push come to shove. Thank YOU for your kind help...is not the first time!

[Mikegjax]

[QUOTE=Pixelbum1;970750].where can we get the maintenance manual (eBay?) and approx. how much, etc.? Gotta get it as the coach
manual that is on the FR site is kinda generic and not really specific to my year per se.

I had sent the link via PM, but here it is.
Mercedes Service Manual | eBay

I bought the $16.90 version and it has all the info.

It is on DVDs and is Windows based. It runs on a virtual PC so it is slow to start, but once it is running it works fine. I keep it in suspend mode rather than shutting it down.

PM if you have further questions.

[RedLdr1]

Thanks, I just grabbed one... I been looking at those but was concerned they wouldn't work without a username / password. Some of the Ford DVD sets now require one to open.

[Mikegjax]

Originally Posted by RedLdr1

Thanks, I just grabbed one... I been looking at those but was concerned they wouldn't work without a username / password. Some of the Ford DVD sets now require one to open.

My copy came with the user name and password already set up.

admin
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[Pixelbum1]

Mike-
Just ordered mine too via eBay. Thanks for all your good help!

[Mikegjax]

You are both welcome. Just a note: The version I purchased was for years 2014 and earlier. It recognized my VIN and produced the correct data card.
My chassis is a 2013. Some later VINs were not recognized, but the manual still contains all of the correct info. You may just need to see a dealer to get your data card to drill down for more specific info. Then again, the manuals may have been updated.