These instructions apply to the Mercedes Sprinter Mk3 (W907/W910) 2018-Present.
For other models, please choose your vehicle here.
Disconnecting the 12V battery cuts all power for jobs like fitting an accessory, storing the van, or clearing an electrical fault. On rear-wheel-drive Sprinters the battery hides in the driver’s-side footwell under a removable floor panel, so know the terminal order before you start.
- Switch the van off and turn off every electrical consumer; never disconnect with the engine running, as it can damage electrical units. Note the remaining service interval shown in the cluster, because the ASSYST PLUS counter only counts down while the battery is connected.
- If the van has a battery main switch, disconnect that first.
- Remove the driver’s-footwell floor covering: undo the screws, lift out the trim and lamp glass, then lift out the floor covering.
- Undo the bolts and lift off the battery cover.
- Disconnect the negative (minus) terminal first and move the clamp aside so it cannot touch the post.
- Remove the positive terminal cover, disconnect the positive terminal, and fold it aside together with the front-fuse holder.
- To reconnect, work in reverse: connect the positive terminal first, then the negative terminal last. Never swap the terminals.
- Refit the battery cover, then refit the floor covering, trim and lamp glass.
Good to know
Battery gases are explosive, so wear eye protection and keep all flames and sparks away. If you charge the battery, use only a charger limited to a maximum of 14.8 V. Mercedes recommends a workshop, but the disconnect and reconnect is owner-doable with care.
If an auxiliary battery is fitted in the engine bay or under the passenger bench, disconnect its negative terminal first as well. If the second battery sits under a non-tilting passenger seat, leave it to a workshop.
After reconnecting, reset the clock and date, reinitialise the electric sliding door if fitted, and be aware the tyre-pressure monitor may need restarting. Simply reconnecting the existing battery needs no coding.
FAQ
Where is the battery on a Sprinter?
On rear-wheel-drive Sprinters the 12V starter battery is in the driver’s-side footwell, under a removable floor panel, not under a seat or the bonnet. Front-wheel-drive vans differ, and some vans carry a second battery in the engine bay or under the passenger bench.
Which terminal do I disconnect first?
Disconnect the negative (minus) terminal first, then the positive. When reconnecting, do the opposite: positive on first, negative on last.
Do I need to code a new battery?
Yes. A brand-new battery should be registered in the van’s power-management system, which needs a diagnostic tool and is a workshop job. Reconnecting the same battery does not need coding.
What do I lose when I disconnect the battery?
You lose the clock and date settings and the electric sliding-door initialisation, and the tyre-pressure monitor may need restarting. The ASSYST PLUS service counter keeps its stored value, but only counts down while the battery is connected.
Independent guide — not affiliated with Mercedes. Always follow your official service manual and safety precautions. Read our full disclaimer.