264 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Malfunction and indicator lamps
in the instrument cluster
General information:
If a bulb in the instrument cluster fails to light up
during the bulb self-check when turning the key in
starter switch to position 2, have it checked and
replaced if necessary.
Emission control
Certain systems of the engine serve to keep the toxic
components of the exhaust gases within permissible
limits required by law.
These systems, of course, will function properly only
when maintained strictly according to factory
specifications. Any adjustments on the engine should,
therefore, be carried out only by authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center qualified
technicians. Engine adjustments should not be altered
in any way. Moreover, the specified service jobs must be
carried out regularly according to Mercedes-Benz
servicing requirements. For details refer to the Service
Booklet.
Wa r n i n g !
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to your
health. All exhaust gas contains carbon monoxide,
and inhaling it can cause unconsciousness and
lead to death. Do not run the engine in confined areas (such as a
garage) which are not properly ventilated. If you
think that exhaust gas fumes are entering the
vehicle while driving, have the cause determined
and corrected immediately. If you must drive under
these conditions, drive only with at least one
window fully open.
J_G463.book Seite 264 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08
265 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index On-board diagnostic system
Check engine malfunction indicator lamp
Engine malfunction indicator lamp. If the
“CHECK ENGINE” malfunction indicator
lamp comes on when the engine is running,
it indicates a malfunction of the fuel management
system, emission control system, systems which impact
emissions, or the fuel cap is not closed tight (check the
fuel cap). If the “CHECK ENGINE” lamp is illuminated
continuously and the vehicle is driving normally, you
may still drive the vehicle, however, in all cases, we
recommend that you have the system checked at your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center as soon
as possible.
If the “CHECK ENGINE” lamp comes on continuously
and / or the vehicle is not driving normally (e.g.
malfunction of the fuel management system or running
out of fuel), serious damage can occur to the emission
system. Please contact your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center immediately.The Sequential Multiport Fuel Injection (SFI) control
module monitors emission control components that
either provide input signals to or receive output signals
from the control module. Malfunctions resulting from
interruptions or failure of any of these components are
indicated by the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster and are
simultaneously stored in the SFI control module.
If the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction indicator lamp
comes on, have the system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center as soon as possible.
With some exceptions, the control module switches off
the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction indicator lamp if the
condition, causing the lamp to come on, no longer exists
during three consecutive cycles.
An on-board diagnostic connector is located in
passenger compartment on the driver’s side near hood
lock release on the upper left of footwell, allowing the
accurate identification of system malfunctions through
the readout of diagnostic trouble codes.
J_G463.book Seite 265 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08
266 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Brake warning lamp
Except Canada
Canada only
When the brake warning lamp and message appear
while the engine is running, this means:
•there is insufficient brake fluid in the reservoir
(engine running and parking brake released), or
•the parking brake is set (engine running).
If a warning tone sounds for 5 seconds and the warning
lampsÉ and - are displayed in the instrument
cluster, the electronic brake booster (EBB) has a
malfunction and is switched off. See page 242 for notes
on the electronic brake booster (EBB).Note:
If you find that the minimum mark on the brake fluid
reservoir is reached, have the brake system checked for
brake pad thickness and leaks.
Wa r n i n g !
Driving with the brake warning lamp illuminated
can result in an accident. Have your brake system
checked immediately if the brake warning lamp
stays on. Do n ot a dd b ra ke f l uid b efore check in g t he
brake system. Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir
can result in spilling brake fluid on hot engine
parts and the brake fluid catching fire. You can be
seriously burned.
J_G463.book Seite 266 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08
267 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Supplemental restraint system (SRS) indicator lamp
When turning the electronic key in starter
switch to position 1 the indicator lamp “SRS”
in the instrument cluster comes on. If no
fault is detected, the lamp will go out after
approximately 4 seconds.
When turning the electronic key in starter switch to
position 2 the indicator lamp “SRS” in the instrument
cluster comes on. If no fault is detected, the lamp will go
out when the engine is running.
The operational readiness of the airbag system is
verified by the indicator lamp “SRS” in the instrument
cluster when turning the electronic key in starter switch
to position 1 or 2.
After the lamp goes out, the system continues to
monitor the components and circuitry of the airbag
system and will indicate a malfunction by coming on
again.See page 66 for notes on airbags, see page 71 for belt
tensioners and page 73 for infant and child seat
restraint.
Wa r n i n g !
In the event a malfunction of the “SRS” is indicated
as outlined above, the “SRS” may not be
operational. For your safety, we strongly
recommend that you visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center immediately to
have the system checked; otherwise the “SRS” may
n ot be a ct ivated when need ed in an ac c i den t, whi ch
could result in serious or fatal injury, or it might
deploy unexpectedly and unnecessarily which
could also result in injury.
J_G463.book Seite 267 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08
268 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Fuel reserve warning
1Fuel reserve indicatorWhen the warning lamp (1) comes on after starting the
engine, or if it comes on while driving, it indicates that
the fuel level is down to the reserve quantity of
approximately 5.3 US gal (20 liters). In addition to the
warning lamp, the message “RESERVE FUEL” –“VISIT
FUEL STATION” appears in the multifunction display.
See page 258 for notes on refueling the vehicle.
After refueling the vehicle, the message
“1 MALFUNCTION” appears in the multifunction
display when turning the electronic key in starter
switch to p osition 2 . This malfun ction mes sage has to b e
cleared, see page 106 for notes on the malfunction /
warning message memory.
J_G463.book Seite 268 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08
269 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index ABS malfunction indicator lamp
The ABS malfunction indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster comes on with the
electronic key in starter switch position 2
and should go out with the engine running.
When the ABS malfunction indicator lamp symbol and
warning in the instrument cluster remains illuminated
while the engine is running, it indicates that the ABS
has detected a malfunction and has switched off. In this
case, the brake system functions in the usual manner,
but without antilock assistance.
A malfunctioning ABS control unit can possibly affect
the operation of other systems (e.g. Navigation,
Automatic transmission). Be guided accordingly with
respect to the use of those systems and have the system
checked at your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center as soon as possible.
With the ABS malfunctioning the BAS, ESP, EBB and
4-ETS are also switched off. The malfunction indicator
lamps and malfunction messages in the multifunction
display come on with the engine running.If a warning tone sounds for 5 seconds and the warning
lamps- and É are displayed in the instrument
cluster, the EBB has a malfunction and is switched off.
See page 242 for notes on the electronic brake booster
(EBB).
If the charging voltage falls below 10 volts, the
malfunction indicator lamp comes on and the ABS is
switched off. When the voltage is above this value again,
the malfunction indicator lamp should go out and the
ABS is operational.
Have the system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center as soon as possible.
See page 239 for notes on antilock brake system (ABS).
Note:
If the transfer case differential lock is engaged the ABS
warning lamp comes on and the ABS, ESP, BAS, EBB
and 4-ETS are switched off. There is no malfunction in
the system.
ABS
J_G463.book Seite 269 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08
270 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Electronic stability program (ESP) — warning lamp
The yellow ESP warning lamp in the
speedometer dial comes on with the
electronic key in starter switch position 2.
It should go out with engine running.
If the ESP malfunction indicator lamp remains
illuminated with the engine running, a malfunction has
been detected in the system. Pressing the accelerator
pedal will require greater effort. Only partial engine
output will be available.
With the ESP malfunctioning, the abs, BAS, EBB and
4-ETS are also switched off.
See electronic stability program (ESP) on page 243 if the
warning lamp lights up or flashes when the vehicle is
moving.
Note:
If the transfer case differential lock is engaged the ESP
warning lamp comes on and the ESP, ABS, BAS and
4-ETS are switched off. There is no malfunction in the
system.Seat belt nonusage warning lamp
With the electronic key in starter switch
position 2, the seat belt nonusage warning
lamp comes on, and a warning sounds for a
short time if the drivers seat belt is not fastened.
After starting the engine, the seat belt nonusage
warning lamp blinks for a brief period to remind the
driver and passengers to fasten seat belts.
J_G463.book Seite 270 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08
273 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (engine control unit)
* C = Category, see page 272This message is displayed to indicate that the
information being relayed by the engine control unit is
no longer complete. The display for coolant temperature
gauge, tachometer, or the cruise control may have failed.DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (several systems)
* C = Category, see page 272The displays for several systems have failed. Some
systems themselves may also have failed.
Line 1 Line 2 C*
VISIT WORKSHOP! DISPLAY FAULTY 2
Line 1 Line 2 C*
VISIT WORKSHOP! DISPLAY FAULTY 2
J_G463.book Seite 273 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08