Dead battery and locked steering wheel

[RolandRevenger]

I had our 2017 Isata 3 in storage over the winter; I wasn't able to access it during that time. I do disconnect the chassis battery when I drop it off and leave a note for the staff on how to reconnect the battery when they need to move it. When I went to pick it up the staff had moved it to a parking lot. It started for me and off I went. I parked it for a few weeks and tried to start it today. I couldn't turn the key. Checked manual and online, found out I had a locked steering wheel and tried turning the wheel as I tried to turn the key. No luck. I tried the switch that connects the chassis to the coach battery; no luck. To confirm that the battery was dead, I tried to turn on the four way flashers; nothing. I did check near the gas pedal where the connection is to connect/disconnect the battery and it was loose. Firmly connect it and still no luck. I assume the staff at the winter storage place didn't make a firm connection. Enough to start it and get me home. Could a loose connection there lead to a battery drain? I will try to jump start it tomorrow; hoping the locked steering wheel will unlock and allow the key to turn and start her up. Anyone had a similor experience?

[TowPro]

is it the original MBS battery? 2016 - present =7 years. If its original battery you got more than your money worth out of the factory battery.

[RolandRevenger]

Battery replaced two and half years ago.

[Reverse_snowbird]

We have a RAM chassis on our REV.

When the battery is dead, the steering locks up and it will lock the key into the ignition. Most annoying since someone could replace the battery and the key is then available in the ignition if someone wanted to steal it. The locks on the doors don't let us lock it either when the battery is dead.

On our RAM there are some things- like the parking brake- that remain active even when the rig is shut down and will drain the battery over time. We have a choice to disconnect the negative cable on the chassis battery itself or put on a charger since we have electricity available.

Whether jump starting will help depends on the condition of the battery. If it's completely dead, the only cure is to replace the chassis battery.

Good luck and please tell us what you find.

[RolandRevenger]

I picked up a voltage meter and will determine if battery is dead. I did replace the battery myself once before ; I have to find the receipt to confirm when I did. I thought less than three years ago but it may have been longer. I purchased a MB battery last time. In checking to see if there are other options, I enter the details for my Sprinter and often get a battery that is clearly not similar in size or shape to what I have. When I did locate one that looked correct, there was a warning that it must be professionally installed; i believe because it is vented to the outside. Is this correct? I also read that expected battery life can be a short as three years . Current plans are to go camping in a few days with friends. Wish me luck and I will provide an update. Back to the storage lot.

[AudiDudi]

My 2016 takes a battery size H8 (grp 49) AGM. Fit perfectly under the floor. A I recall, it is a sealed battery and not vented.

Have you tried to jump it using the jump post under the hood?

[RolandRevenger]

In hindsight, I should have tried to have it jumped. If it did start, I was concerned it would not start again at the campground or a rest stop. I am sure that they had to jump it at the winter storage site,(where it sat for five very cold months inside an unheated building) and after the trip to the summer storage location it wasn't able to hold a charge. I am thinking it is dead. It is out now and I will take it to a shop to be tested. I had wanted to know the date on it and couldn't see one while it was installed. I still don't know the date; numbers stamped in different areas and none of them match any examples of MB date sequences that I see online. By the way ours is vented.

Thanks to all who have responded.