2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 warning light

301 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 ....................302
On-board diagnostic
system ..........................................302
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp .............................302
Brake warning lamp ..................304
Supplemental restraint system
(SRS) indicator lamp ..................305
Fuel reserve warning .................305
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp .............................306
Electronic stability program
(ESP) — warning lamp ...............307
Distronic (DTR) –
warning lamp ..............................307
Seat belt nonusage
warning lamp ..............................308Malfunction and indicator
lamp in the
center console ........................... 308
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .... 308
Malfunction and warning
messages in the
multifunction display .............. 309
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE ................. 310
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR ........... 311
ENTRANCE POSITION ...............312
BRAKE ASSIST ............................312
BRAKE LINING WEAR ............... 313
BRAKE FLUID ............................. 313
PARKING BRAKE ........................ 314
TRUNK OPEN .............................. 314
ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability
program) ...................................... 315
COOLANT
(coolant level) .............................. 316
COOLANT
(coolant temperature) ................ 317LIGHTING SYSTEM .................... 318
LIGHT SENSOR ...........................320
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL
(ABC) ............................................320
TIRE PRESSURE .........................322
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ...................324
CRUISE CONTROL .....................325
KEY ...............................................325
DOOR ...........................................326
HOOD ...........................................326
TELE AID .....................................327
CHIP-CARD
(KEYLESS-GO) ............................328
SELECTOR LEVER ......................329
TELEPHONE – FUNCTION .......329
WASHER FLUID .........................330
AIR SPRING (AirMatic) ............. 331
DISTRONIC (DTR) ......................332
AIR CLEANER .............................333

307 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.
See electronic stability program (ESP) on page 280 if the
warning lamp lights up or flashes when the vehicle is
moving.Distronic (DTR) – warning lamp
With the electronic key in starter switch
position 2, the distance warning lamp in the
speedometer dial comes on and goes out
with the engine running.
See Distronic (DTR) system on page 332 for possible
malfunction messages.
Note:
The distance warning lamp is without warning function
on vehicles without Distronic (DTR).

308 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
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 driver’s 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.
Malfunction and indicator lamp in the center
console
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp
The 7 indicator lamp will light up for approximately
6 seconds when you turn the electronic key in starter
switch to position 1 or 2.
It does not light up if there is a fault in the system.
The 7 indicator lamp stays lit as long as a
BabySmart
TM child seat is properly installed on the front
passenger seat. It indicates that the front passenger
airbag is switched off.
See page 88 for BabySmart
TM airbag and its deactivation
system.
Baby Smart
TM is a trademark of Siemens Automotive Corp.
Wa r n i n g !
The BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system will
ONLY work with a special child seat designed to
operate with it. It will not work with child seats
which are not BabySmart
TM compatible.
Never place anything between seat cushion and
child seat (e.g. pillow), since it reduces the
effectiveness of the deactivation system.Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
installation of special child seats.The passenger front airbag will not deploy only if
the 7 indicator lamp remains illuminated.Please be sure to check the indicator every time
you use the special system child seat. Should the
light go out while the restraint is installed, please
check installation. If the light remains out, do not
use the BabySmart
TM restraint to transport children
on the front passenger seat until the system has
been repaired.

318 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 LAMPS! 2
LOW BEAM, R CHECK LAMPS! 2
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE VISIT WORKSHOP!
1
2
TURN SIGNAL LR CHECK LAMPS! 2
TURN SIGNAL RR CHECK LAMPS! 2
TURN SIGNAL IN MIRROR, L CHECK LAMPS! 2
TURN SIGNAL IN MIRROR, R CHECK LAMPS! 2
TURN SIGNAL LF CHECK LAMPS! 2
TURN SIGNAL RF CHECK LAMPS! 2
BRAKE LAMP
2
VISIT WORKSHOP! 2
BRAKE LAMP, L
3
CHECK LAMPS! 2
BRAKE LAMP, R
3
CHECK LAMPS! 2
3RD BRAKE LAMP
3
CHECK LAMPS! 2
HIGH BEAM, L CHECK LAMPS! 2
HIGH BEAM, R CHECK LAMPS! 2
LICENSE PLATE LAMP, L CHECK LAMPS! 2
LICENSE PLATE LAMP, R CHECK LAMPS! 2
TURN OFF LAMPS! 1
FRONT FOGLAMP, L CHECK LAMPS! 2
FRONT FOGLAMP, R CHECK LAMPS! 2
REAR FOGLAMP CHECK LAMPS! 2
REVERSE LAMP, L CHECK LAMPS! 2 Line 1 Line 2 C*

319 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care IndexIn the case of bulb failures in certain lamps, other lamps
will substitute. See page 364 for instructions on
replacing bulbs.
* C = Category, see page 309
LR: left rear; LF: left front
RR: right rear; RF: right front
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 lamps comprise 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. REVERSE LAMP, R CHECK LAMPS! 2
TAIL LAMP, L CHECK LAMPS!
SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
4
2
TAIL LAMP, R CHECK LAMPS!
SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
4
2
STANDING LAMP, L CHECK LAMPS!
SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
4
2
STANDING LAMP, R CHECK LAMPS!
SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
4
2 Line 1 Line 2 C*

320 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
LAMP SENSOR
* C = Category, see page 309The headlamps will be switched on automatically if the
light sensor malfunctions.
The individual setting menu “LIGHTING” – “LIGHT
CIRCUIT HEADLAMP MODE” can be set to “MANUAL”.
See page 142. It will then be possible to switch the
headlamps on and off using the exterior lamp switch.
See page 158 for notes on the exterior lamp switch. ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC)
* C = Category, see page 309 Line 1 Line 2 C*
LAMP SENSOR VISIT WORKSHOP! 2Line 1 Line 2 C*
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE VISIT WORKSHOP!
1
2
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL DRIVE CAREFULLY!
2
1
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL STOP, CAR TOO LOW!
3
1
ACTIVE BODY CONTROL VISIT WORKSHOP!
4
2

325 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index CRUISE CONTROL
* C = Category, see page 309.
1 Cruise control is malfunctioning.
KEY* C = Category, see page 309.
1 Key needs possibly to be replaced. Line 1 Line 2 C*
CRUISE CONTROL VISIT WORKSHOP!
1
2
Line 1 Line 2 C*
REPLACE KEY
1
VISIT WORKSHOP! 2
AUTOM. LIGHT ON REMOVE KEY! 1
P54.30-2245-21

360 Jump starting
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Proceed as follows:
1. Position the vehicle with the charged battery so that
the jumper cables will reach, but never let the
vehicles touch. Make sure the jumper cables do not
have loose or missing insulation.
2. On both vehicles:
•Turn off engine and all lights and accessories,
except hazard warning flashers or work lights.
•Apply parking brake and shift selector lever to
position “P”.
Important!
3. Clamp one end of the first jumper cable to the
positive (+) terminal of the discharged battery and
the other end to the positive (+) terminal of the
charged battery. Make sure the cable clamps do not
touch any other metal parts.
4. Clamp one end of the second jumper cable to the
grounded negative (–) terminal of the charged
battery and the final connection to the negative (–)
under hood terminal of the disabled vehicle.Important!
5. Start engine of the vehicle with the charged battery
and run at high idle. Make sure the cables are not
on or near pulleys, fans, or other parts that move
when the engine is started. Allow the discharged
battery to charge for a few minutes. Start engine of
the disabled vehicle in the usual manner.
6. After the engine has started, remove jumper cables
by exactly reversing the above installation
sequence, starting with the last connection made
first. When removing each clamp, make sure that it
does not touch any other metal while the other end
is still attached.
Note:
If engine does not run after several unsuccessful
starting attempts, have it checked at the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Excessive unburned fuel may damage the catalytic
converter.