2001 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 Owner's Manual

280 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability program)
* C = Category, see page 2741 The enhanced vehicle stability offered by ESP and the torque
reduction feature are unavailable.
2 This message may be displayed if the power supply was
interrupted (battery disconnected or empty). Synchronize ESP, see
page 261
3 The system is temporarily unavailable. The reason could be that
the self-diagnosis has not been completed. The display will clear
itself after driving a short distance at more than 12 mph (2o km/h).
4 The system is unavailable due to low voltage, e.g. battery not being
charged.
5 A malfunction has been detected in the system. In case of ESP
malfunction the ESP warning lamp in the instrument cluster
illuminates and the ESP switch in the center console does not
function. If in addition the ABS is malfunctioning, only partial
engine output will be available.
6 The display or the system is malfunctioning. Line 1 Line 2 C*
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. NOT AVAILABLE!
1, 2, 3, 4
2
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. VISIT WORKSHOP!
1, 5
2
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE VISIT WORKSHOP!
6
2

281 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index COOLANT (coolant level)
* C = Category, see page 274When this message appears while driving, the coolant
level has dropped below the required level. If no leaks
are noticeable and the engine temperature does not
increase, continue to drive to the nearest service station
and have coolant added to the coolant system.The low engine coolant level warning should not be
ignored. Extended driving with the symbol displayed
may cause serious engine damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
In cases of major or frequent minor coolant loss, have
the cooling system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Note:
Do not drive without coolant in the cooling system. The
engine will overheat causing major engine damage.
Monitor the coolant temperature gauge while driving,
see page 124.
See page 302 for instructions on topping up the coolant.Line 1 Line 2 C*
COOLANT CHECK LEVEL! 2
Wa r n i n g !
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which may
burn if it comes into contact with hot engine parts.
You can be seriously burned.

282 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
COOLANT (coolant temperature)
* C = Category, see page 274
1 This may indicate that the poly-V-belt has broken. Should this
con dition o ccur, the poly-V-belt must be repla ced befo re co ntin uin g
to operate the vehicle. Otherwise, the engine will overheat due to
an inoperative water pump which may result in damage to the
engine. Do not continue to drive the vehicle with this message
displayed. Doing so could result in serious engine damage that is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
2 The cooling fan for the coolant is faulty. Observe the coolant
temperature gauge. See page 124
During severe operating conditions and stop-and-go city
traffic, the coolant temperature may rise close to 120
°C.
The engine should not be operated with the coolant
temperature above 120
°C. Doing so may cause serious
engine damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Line 1 Line 2 C*
COOLANT STOP, ENGINE OFF!
1
1
COOLANT VISIT WORKSHOP!
2
2
Wa r n i n g !
Driving when your engine is badly overheated can
cause some fluids which may have leaked into the
engine compartment to catch fire. You could be
seriously burned.Steam from an overheated engine can cause serious
burns and can occur just by opening the engine
hood. Stay away from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it.Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle and do
not stand near the vehicle until it cools down.

283 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index ENGINE OIL LEVEL
* C = Category, see page 274.
1 The engine oil level must be checked immediately. See Engine oil
level indicator on page 128.
2 There is no oil in the engine. There is a danger of engine damage.3 There is a risk of damaging the engine or catalytic converter. The
engine oil level must be checked immediately. See Engine oil level
indicator on page 128.
4 The engine oil level has dropped to a critical level.
Check the engine oil level immediately. See Engine oil level
indicator on page 128 and check the engine for visible leakage
(loss of oil).
It may be that there is water in the engine oil. Have the engine oil
checked.
5 The measuring system is malfunctioning.
When the “ENGINE OIL LEVEL – CHECK LEVEL!”
message appears while the engine is running and at
operating temperature, the engine oil level has dropped
to approximately the minimum mark on the dipstick.
When this occurs, the warning will first come on
intermittently and then stay on if the oil level drops
further.
If no oil leaks are noted, continue to drive to the nearest
service station where the engine oil should be topped to
the “full” mark on the dipstick with an approved oil.
The engine oil level warnings should not be ignored.
Extended driving with the symbol displayed could
result in serious engine damage that is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Line 1 Line 2 C*
ENGINE OIL LEVEL CHECK LEVEL!
1
2
ENGINE OIL LEVEL STOP, ENGINE OFF!
2
1
ENGINE OIL LEVEL REDUCE OIL LEVEL1
3
2
ENGINE OIL VISIT WORKSHOP!
4
2
ENGINE OIL LEVEL VISIT WORKSHOP!
5
2

284 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
LIGHTING SYSTEM
Line 1 Line 2 C*
LOW BEAM,L CHECK LAMP! 2
LOW BEAM,R CHECK LAMP! 2
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE VISIT WORKSHOP!
1
2
TURN SIGNAL, L CHECK LAMP! 2
TURN SIGNAL, R CHECK LAMP! 2
L. TURN SIG. RFLECTR CHECK LAMP! 2
R. TURN SIG. RFLECTR CHECK LAMP! 2
TURN SIGNAL F, L CHECK LAMP! 2
TURN SIGNAL F, R CHECK LAMP! 2
BRAKE LIGHT
2
VISIT WORKSHOP! 2
BRAKE LIGHT, L
3
CHECK LAMP! 2
BRAKE LIGHT, R
3
CHECK LAMP! 2
3RD STOP LAMP
3
CHECK LAMP! 2
HIGH BEAM, L CHECK LAMP! 2
HIGH BEAM, R CHECK LAMP! 2
LICENSE PLATE L, L CHECK LAMP! 2
LICENSE PLATE L, R CHECK LAMP! 2
LIGHTS SWITCH OFF LIGHTS! 1
AUTOM. LIGHT ON REMOVE KEY! 1
FRONT FOGLAMP, L CHECK LAMP! 2
FRONT FOGLAMP, R CHECK LAMP! 2
REAR FOGLAMP CHECK LAMP! 2 Line 1 Line 2 C*

285 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care IndexIn t he case of bulb failures in certain lamps, ot her lamps
will substitute. See page 326 for instructions on
replacing bulbs.
* C = Category, see page 274
1 The display or the system is malfunctioning.
2 The brake lamps are switching on after a delay or are permanently
on – visit workshop immediately.
3 The brake lamp comprises several light emitting diodes. The
warning message will only appear if all light emitting diodes have
stopped working.
4 Other bulbs will be brought into use as replacements when certain
lamps blow. REAR FOGLAMP SWITCH OFF
SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
4
2
REVERSE LIGHT, L CHECK LAMP! 2
REVERSE LIGHT, R CHECK LAMP! 2
TAIL LIGHT, L CHECK LAMP!
SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
4
2
TAIL LIGHT, R CHECK LAMP!
SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
4
2
SIDELIGHT, L CHECK LAMP!
SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
4
2
SIDELIGHT, R CHECK LAMP!
SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
4
2 Line 1 Line 2 C*

286 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
LIGHT SENSOR
* C = Category, see page 274The headlamps will be switched on automatically if the
light sensor malfunctions.
The “LIGHTING” setting menu can be set to “MANUAL”
in the individual settings. See page 117. It will then be
possible to switch the headlamps on and off using the
exterior lamp switch. See page 130 for notes on the
exterior lamp switch. DOOR
* C = Category, see page 274. Line 1 Line 2 C*
LIGHT SENSOR VISIT WORKSHOP! 2Line 1 Line 2 C*
DOOR OPEN! 1

287 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index TRUNK OPEN
* C = Category, see page 274
HOOD* C = Category, see page 274.See page 297 for hood.
Line 1 Line 2 C*
TRUNK OPEN! 2
Line 1 Line 2 C*
ENGINE HOOD OPEN! 2