Page 7 of 385

4 Contents 
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator 
lamps in the 
instrument cluster  ....................264
On-board diagnostic system  .........265
Check engine malfunction 
indicator lamp .............................265
Brake warning lamp  ..................266
Supplemental restraint system 
(SRS) indicator lamp ..................267
Fuel reserve warning .................268
ABS malfunction 
indicator lamp .............................269
Electronic stability program 
(ESP) — warning lamp  ...............270
Seat belt nonusage 
warning lamp .............................270
Malfunction and indicator lamp 
in the center console  ................ 271
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp ..... 271Malfunction and warning 
messages in the 
multifunction display  .............. 272
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE 
(engine control unit)  ................. 273
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE 
(several systems)  ....................... 273
BATTERY  / ALTERNATOR  ........274
ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM  .... 275
BRAKE ASSIST ............................276
BRAKE PAD WEAR .................... 277
BRAKE FLUID  ............................ 277
PARKING BRAKE  ....................... 278
SEAT BELT SYSTEM  .................. 278
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. 
(Electronic stability program)  . 279
COOLANT 
(coolant level)  ............................. 280
COOLANT 
(coolant temperature)  ............... 281
ENGINE OIL LEVEL  ................... 282LIGHTING SYSTEM ....................283
LIGHT SENSOR ...........................285
DOOR  ...........................................285
TRUNK OPEN  .............................286
HOOD  ...........................................286
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION  .......287
TELE AID  .....................................287
WASHER FLUID  .........................288
RESTRAINT SYSTEM  .................289
KEY ...............................................289
FUEL RESERVE  ..........................290
UNDERVOLTAGE ........................290
ELECTRONIC BRAKE BOOSTER 
(EBB)  ............................................ 291
ENGINE AIR FILTER  .................. 291
TC SHIFT   ....................................292
TC SHIFT CONDITIONS  ............292
TC IN NEUTRAL  .........................293
TRANSFER CASE  .......................293
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        Page 208 of 385

205 Starter switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Important!
If the electronic key is left in the starter switch 
position 0 for a extended period of time, it can no longer 
be turned in the lock. In this case, remove electronic key 
from starter switch and reinsert.
Caution!
To prevent accelerated battery discharge and a possible 
dead battery, always remove the electronic key from the 
starter switch. Do not leave the electronic key in starter 
switch position 0.Notes:
A warning sounds when the driver’s door is opened 
with the electronic key is in starter switch position 1 
or 0.
If the electronic key cannot be turned in the starter 
switch, the vehicle battery may not be sufficiently 
charged. See battery on page 319 or jump starting on 
page 321.
With the engine at idle speed, the charging rate of the 
alternator (output) is limited.
It is therefore recommended that you turn off 
unnecessary electrical consumers while driving in stop-
and-go traf fic. This precaution helps to avoid draining of 
the battery.
Unnecessary strain on the battery and charging system 
may be minimized by turning off the following power-
consuming devices, for example:
Heated seats, rear window defroster. In addition, the 
automatic climate air volume control should be set to 
the lowest position.
J_G463.book Seite 205 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08 
     
        
        Page 266 of 385

263 Contents - Instrument cluster display 
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator 
lamps in the 
instrument cluster  ....................264
On-board diagnostic system  .........265
Check engine malfunction 
indicator lamp .............................265
Brake warning lamp  ..................266
Supplemental restraint system 
(SRS) indicator lamp ..................267
Fuel reserve warning .................268
ABS malfunction 
indicator lamp .............................269
Electronic stability program 
(ESP) — warning lamp  ...............270
Seat belt nonusage 
warning lamp .............................270
Malfunction and indicator lamp 
in the center console  ................ 271
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp ..... 271Malfunction and warning 
messages in the 
multifunction display  .............. 272
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE 
(engine control unit)  ................. 273
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE 
(several systems)  ....................... 273
BATTERY  / ALTERNATOR  ........274
ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM  .... 275
BRAKE ASSIST ............................276
BRAKE PAD WEAR .................... 277
BRAKE FLUID  ............................ 277
PARKING BRAKE  ....................... 278
SEAT BELT SYSTEM  .................. 278
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. 
(Electronic stability program)  . 279
COOLANT 
(coolant level)  ............................. 280
COOLANT 
(coolant temperature)  ............... 281
ENGINE OIL LEVEL  ................... 282LIGHTING SYSTEM ....................283
LIGHT SENSOR ...........................285
DOOR  ...........................................285
TRUNK OPEN  .............................286
HOOD  ...........................................286
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION  .......287
TELE AID  .....................................287
WASHER FLUID  .........................288
RESTRAINT SYSTEM  .................289
KEY ...............................................289
FUEL RESERVE  ..........................290
UNDERVOLTAGE ........................290
ELECTRONIC BRAKE BOOSTER 
(EBB)  ............................................ 291
ENGINE AIR FILTER  .................. 291
TC SHIFT   ....................................292
TC SHIFT CONDITIONS  ............292
TC IN NEUTRAL  .........................293
TRANSFER CASE  .......................293
J_G463.book Seite 263 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08 
     
        
        Page 277 of 385
274 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
BATTERY / ALTERNATOR
* C = Category, see page 272
This message indicates a malfunction which must be 
repaired immediately.
It may indicate that the poly-V-belt has broken. Should 
this condition occur, the poly-V-belt must be replaced 
before continuing 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.
Line 1 Line 2 C*
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR VISIT WORKSHOP! 2
J_G463.book Seite 274 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08 
     
        
        Page 361 of 385
358 Technical data
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Layout of poly-V-belt drive 1Automatic belt tensioner
2Crankshaft
3Air conditioner compressor
4Coolant pump
5Generator (alternator)
6Idler pulley
7Power steering pump
For dimensions of the poly-V-belt, see technical data.
J_G463.book Seite 358 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08