1997 MERCEDES-BENZ ML430 battery

241 Practical hints
What to do if …
Where will I find ...?
Unlocking / locking in an emergency
Opening / closing in an emergency
Replacing bulbs
Replacing wiper blades
Flat tire
Battery
Jump starting
Towing the vehicle
Fuses

242 Practical hintsWhat to do if …
What to do if …Lamps in instrument clusterGeneral information:
If a bulb in the instrument cluster fails to
light up during the bulb self-check when turning the key in steering lock to
position2, have it checked and replaced if
necessary.Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
-
The yellow ABS warning lamp
comes on while driving.
ABS has detected a malfunction and has
switched off. The BAS, ESP, 4-ETS and EBP
are also switched off.
The brake system is still functioning normally
but without ABS available.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking
reducing steering capability.

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts. The ABS has switched off.
When the voltage is above this value
again, the ABS is operational again.
If necessary, have the generator
(alternator) and the battery checked.

246 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
¿
The yellow BAS / ESP malfunc-
tion indicator lamp comes on
while driving.
The ESP is no longer synchronized following
a voltage supply interruption (e.g. battery dis-
connected or discharged).
Synchronize the ESP:
With vehicle stationary and the engine
running, turn the steering wheel
completely to the left and then to the
right.
If the BAS / ESP malfunction indicator
lamp does not go out:

Continue driving with added caution.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center as soon as possi-
ble.
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of an accident.
!When synchronizing the ESP, make
sure you can turn the steering wheel in
both directions as far as it will go with-
out the wheels hitting any objects, e.g.
a road curb.

247 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
¿
The yellow BAS / ESP malfunc-
tion indicator lamp comes on
while driving.
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts. The BAS and the ESP have switched
off.
When the voltage is above this value
again, the BAS and ESP are operational
again.
If necessary, have the generator and
the battery checked.
¿
The yellow BAS / ESP malfunc-
tion indicator lamp comes on
while driving.
The BAS or the ESP is malfunctioning.

Continue driving with added caution.

Have the BAS / ESP checked at an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions
increases the risk of an accident.

254 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
#
The red charge indicator lamp
comes on when the engine is
running.
The battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:

alternator malfunctioning


broken poly-V-belt

Stop immediately and check the
poly-V-belt.
If it is broken

Do not continue to drive, before the
poly-V-belt is replaced.
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.
2
The yellow brake indicator lamp
comes on during braking or after
starting the engine.
The brake pads are worn down.

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
!Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the
intervals specified in the Service book-
let.

262 Practical hintsUnlocking / locking in an emergencyLocking the vehicle
If you are unable to lock the vehicle with
the remote control, lock it with the me-
chanical key as follows:
Close the passenger doors and the lift-
gate.

Press the upper part of the central
locking button in the cockpit
(page 93).

Check to see whether the locking
knobs on the passenger doors are still
visible. If necessary push them down
manually.

Lock the liftgate if necessary from in-
side (
page 91).

Lock the driver’s door with the me-
chanical key.Changing batteries in the remote
control
If the batteries in the remote control are
discharged, the vehicle can no longer be
locked or unlocked. It is recommended to
have the batteries replaced at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.1Release button
2Battery cover
Replacement batteries: Lithium, type
CR 2025 or equivalent.

Unfold the key by pressing release
button1.
Warning!
G
Keep the batteries out of reach of children.
If a battery is swallowed, seek medical help
immediately.
iWhen changing batteries, always re-
place both batteries.
The required replacement batteries are
available at any Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.

263 Practical hints
Unlocking / locking in an emergency

Pull off battery cover2 in direction of
arrow.

Remove the batteries.

Using a lint-free cloth, insert new bat-
teries under the contact spring with the
plus (+) side facing up.

Press battery cover2 onto housing
until locked in place.

Push each button to assure proper op-
eration of the remote control.
If remote control does not function cor-
rectly after replacing the batteries, the
system may have to be resynchronized.Synchronizing remote control

Turn key in steering lock to position2
(page 33), then to position0 and re-
move.

Within ten seconds, push and hold
button‹ while pushing
buttonΠfive times.

Release the button, and press‹,
Œ orŠ once.
The remote control is resynchronized.

Recheck all of the remote control func-
tions.
Fuel filler flap
1Cover
2Lock rod
Open the tailgate.

Open cover1 in cargo area behind
the left trim panel.

Turn lock rod2 clockwise (arrow) to
the end stop.
The fuel filler flap can now be opened.
iI f i t i s n o t p o s s i b l e t o r e s y n c h r o n i z e t h e
remote control, have the system
checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.

278 Practical hintsBattery
BatteryThe battery is located on the passenger
side of the engine compartment.
1Negative terminal
2Positive terminal
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these instructions can re-
sult in severe injury or death.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 223).
Never lean over batteries while connecting,
you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking etc.
!Never loosen or detach battery termi-
nal clamps while the engine is running
or the key is in the steering lock. Other-
wise the alternator and other electronic
components could be severely dam-
aged.
Have the battery checked regularly by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Refer to Service Booklet for mainte-
nance intervals or contact your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center for further information.Warning!
G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof battery only to avoid the risk
of acid burns in the event of an accident.