I just purchased a 1975 164E, and now have an intermittent dead battery problem. I have replaced the battery, and when it is charged it cranks the car over very nicely. The car does not get used every day, but will normally start right up after sitting for a few days. Intermittently, however, the battery will be nearly dead after the car has been parked for several hours. The dash lights will light dimly and the car might turn over only a half or full turn. When this happens the car can be jump started and will run fine. After running for 15 or 20 minutes, the battery appears fully charged and the car will start fine...until the next unexpected dead battery.

A previous owner had installed a trickle charger in the engine compartment, which is now disconnected. So I suspect the problem may have occurred before.

Of course the problem never seems to occur at home, and typically occurs when the driver has some place to be. So I've had no opportunity to try to investigate the problem when it is occurring.

I've read various posts in the archive re 240 series cars with similar symptoms, and will try to see if I can locate the problem. It is complicated, though, by the fact that it is intermittent. Does anyone have any ideas or experience specific to the 160 series that might help?