hope i do this correct
1) new battery 6 months old
2) happened twice in about 6 months
the "BATTERY NOT CHARGING" lights up on the dashboard usually happens a few minutes after the car is started
I shut the engine off and wait a few minutes and all is normal for a few months

CONCERN: I want to take the car on a few thousand mile trip but am scared this unreliable car will break down

 

Marty,

I've moved your question from General Tech Help to X250 forum for advice from members with the same model.

In the circumstances I would:
1. have the battery tested - just because it's only 6 months old doesn't guarantee it's OK
2. have the codes read to see if there's anything relevant in stored error codes
3. if the battery checks out OK and no codes are present, have the alternator checked
4. pack the luggage and GO

Graham

 

If your car has a stop start battery then check the voltage on that and the main battery voltage as well. Also check the earth connection to the body as the bolt that fixes the earth in the boot can loosen.

If the above is all good then it could be the alternator as mine went last year on my 2012, but my alternator was taken out by my stop start battery failing, apparently when the stop/start battery fails it burns out the alternator.