2002 MERCEDES-BENZ ML55AMG light

234 Parking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
All yellow and one or both red segments light up.
Additionally, there is an acoustic warning lasting
approximately 3 seconds.
The obstacle may not be recognized if outside the
shaded sensor field, and no longer be indicated when
approaching it any closer (warning indicators go out).
Parktronic malfunction
All red segments of the warning indicators light up, and
a warning sounds for 3 seconds, if Parktronic does not
function properly.
A dirty sensor or other ultrasonic signals could be the
reason. See page 301 for instructions on cleaning the
sensors in the bumpers.
After cleaning the sensors, turn electronic key in
steering lock to position 2. If a malfunction continues to
be displayed, have the system checked at your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Parktronic switch
The switch is located on the center console.
1Parktronic switched off
2Parktronic switched on
3Indicator lamp – comes on when Parktronic is
switched off
The parktronic system is switched on again when
turning the electronic key in steering lock position 2.3

238 Check regulary and before a long trip
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data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Check regularly and before a long trip 1Engine oil level
See “Checking engine oil level” on page 255 and
“Engine oil level indicator” on page 96.
2Coolant level
See “Coolant level” on page 256.
3Brake fluid
See “Brake fluid” on page 316.
4Windshield washer system/
Headlamp cleaning system/
Rear window washer system
For refilling reservoir see page 258.
Opening hood, see page 253.
Vehicle lighting: Check function and cleanliness. For
replacement of light bulbs, see “Exterior lamps” on
page 282.
Exterior lamp switch, see page 97.

240 Malfunction and indicator lamps
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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
steering lock to position 2, have it checked and replaced
if necessary.
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. See also page 242 for
fuel cap placement warning.
An on-board diagnostic connector is located in the
passenger compartment near to the parking brake
pedal, allowing the accurate identification of system
malfunctions through the readout of diagnostic trouble
codes.
CHECK
ENGINE

242 Malfunction and indicator lamps
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and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Supplemental restraint system (SRS) indicator lamp
The operational readiness of the airbag
system is verified by the indicator lamp
“SRS” in the instrument cluster when
turning the key in steering lock to position 1 or 2. If no
fault is detected, the lamp will go out after
approximately 5 seconds; 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 58 for notes on airbags, page 57 for belt
tensioners, and page 68 for infant and child seat
restraints.Fuel reserve warning
When 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 3.2 gal (12 liters).
See page 235 for notes on refueling the vehicle.
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
not be activated when needed in an accident, which
could result in serious or fatal injury, or it might
deploy unexpectedly and unnecessarily which
could also result in injury.SRS

243 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)/Electronic
traction system (4-ETS+) — warning lamp
The yellow warning lamp in the
speedometer dial comes on with the key in
steering lock position 2. It should go out
with engine running.
See page 221 for 4-ETS+ and page 223 for ESP if the
warning lamp lights up or flashes when the vehicle is
moving.
BAS/ESP malfunction indicator lamp
The malfunction indicator lamp for the ESP
is combined with that of the BAS.
The yellow BAS / ESP malfunction indicator
lamp in the instrument cluster comes on with the key in
steering lock position 2. It should go out with the engine
running.
If the BAS / ESP malfunction indicator lamp remains
illuminated with the engine running, see page 217 for
BAS and page 223 for ESP.4-ETS+ malfunction indicator lamp
The yellow ETS malfunction indicator lamp
in the instrument cluster comes on with the
key in steering lock position 2. It should go
out with the engine running.
If the ETS malfunction indicator lamp remains
illuminated with the engine running a malfunction has
been detected, see page 221 for 4-ETS+.
LOW RANGE indicator lamp
The yellow LOW RANGE indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster comes on with the
key in steering lock position 2. With the
LOW RANGE mode deactivated it should go out with the
engine running.
With the LOW RANGE mode activated the LOW RANGE
indicator lamp is illuminated continuously.
If the indicator lamp blinks fast, one or more switching
conditions were not observed, or the LOW RANGE mode
is defective, see page 227 for LOW RANGE mode.
BAS
ESP
ETSLOW
RANGE

244 Malfunction and indicator lamps
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ABS malfunction indicator lamp
The ABS malfunction indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster comes on with the key in
steering lock position 2 and should go out
with the engine running.
When the ABS malfunction indicator lamp 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.
With the ABS malfunctioning, the BAS, ESP and 4-ETS+
are also switched off. Both malfunction indicator lamps
come on with the engine running.
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 219 for notes on antilock brake system (ABS).Adjustable steering wheel – indicator lamp
The indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
comes on with the key in steering lock
position 2 and should go out with the engine
running.
If the indicator lamp does not go out after starting the
engine, the adjustable steering column is not properly
locked.
For locking the adjustable telescoping steering column,
see page 74.
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp
The indicator lamp will light up for
approximately 6 seconds, extinguish, then
blink once, when you turn the key in
steering lock to position 1 or 2.
The 7 indicator lamp stays lit as long as a
BabySmart
TM compatible child seat is properly installed
on the front passenger seat. It indicates that the front
passenger airbag is switched off.
See page 55 for BabySmart
TM airbag and its deactivation
system.
BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens Automotive Corp.
ABS

245 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Seat belt warning lamp
With the key in steering lock position 2, the
seat belt warning lamp comes on for a short
time if the driver’s seat belt is not fastened.
After starting the engine, the warning lamp remains
illuminated for a short time to remind the driver and
passengers to fasten seat belts.
Charge indicator lamp
Should the charge indicator lamp fail to
come on prior to starting when the key is in
steering lock position 2 or should it fail to go
out after starting or during operation, this indicates a
malfunction which must be repaired at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center immediately.If the charge indicator lamp comes on while the engine
is running, this 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 the charge
indicator lamp illuminated. Doing so could result in
serious engine damage that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

246 Malfunction and indicator lamps
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Low engine oil level warning lamp
With the key in steering lock position 2, the
oil level warning lamp comes on and should
go out when the engine is running.
If the warning lamp does not go out after starting the
engine, or comes on with the engine running and at
operating temperature, the engine oil level has dropped
to approximately the minimum mark on the dipstick.
When this occurs, the warning lamp 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 low engine oil level warning light should not be
ignored. Extended driving with the light illuminated
could result in serious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
In addition to the warning lamp, the engine oil level
should be periodically checked with the dipstick or via
the oil level indicator in the odometer display field, for
example during a fuel stop, or before a long trip (see
engine oil level indicator on page 96 and checking
engine oil on page 255).Low engine coolant level warning
When the coolant level warning lamp comes
on while driving, then the coolant level has
dropped below the required level, or the
coolant temperature is in the red zone. 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, see
page 256. If the engine temperature reaches the red
zone, move vehicle to an area which is in a safe distance
from the roadway and turn off the engine. Also see
coolant temperature gauge on page 87.
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 Light Truck Center as soon as possible.
Notes:
Do not drive without coolant in the cooling system. The
engine will overheat causing major engine damage.
Monitor the coolant temperature gauge while driving.