Page 230 of 330

227 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Technical
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).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.
BRAKE
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. Don’t add brake fluid before checking the
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_C208_II.book Seite 227 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10
ProCarManuals.com
Page 231 of 330

228 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Technical
data Instruments
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 electronic key in steering lock to position 1
or 2. If no malfunction is detected, the lamp will go out
after approximately 4 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 68 for notes on airbags, see page 67 for belt
tensioners and page 76 for infant and child seat
restraint.Fuel reserve and fuel cap placement 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 2.1 gal (8 liters).
The warning lamp blinks when the fuel cap is not
closed, or a fuel system leak has been detected.
Retighten cap and see if lamp goes out after restart and
next OBD selfcheck.
If the warning lamp continues to blink after closing the
fuel cap correctly, have the fuel system checked at your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Leaving the engine running and the fuel cap open can
also cause the “CHECK ENGINE” lamp to illuminate, see
page 226.
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 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
1
P54.30-4557-21
J_C208_II.book Seite 228 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10
ProCarManuals.com
Page 232 of 330

229 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Technical
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 steering lock position 2.
It should go out with engine running.
See page 218 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
electronic 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 214 for
notes on the brake assist (BAS) and page 218 for notes
on the electronic stability program (ESP).ABS malfunction indicator lamp
The ABS malfunction indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster comes on with the
electronic key in steering lock position 2 and
should go out with the engine running.
When the ABS malfunction indicator lamp and the
malfunction message 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 and ESP are also
switched off. Both malfunction indicator lamps and the
ABS malfunction message in the multifunction display
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 Center as soon as possible.
See page 216 for notes on the antilock brake system
(ABS).
BAS
ESP
ABS
J_C208_II.book Seite 229 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10
ProCarManuals.com
Page 233 of 330
230 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Telescoping steering column – indicator lamp
The indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
comes on with the electronic 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 79.Seat belt warning lamp
With the electronic key in steering lock
po sition 2, t he seat be lt warn in g lamp comes
on and a warning sounds for approx.
6 seconds if the driver’s seat belt is not fastened.
J_C208_II.book Seite 230 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10
ProCarManuals.com
Page 235 of 330

232 Malfunction and warning messages
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Malfunction and warning messages in the
multifunction display
Malfunction and warning messages for the following
systems will be displayed immediately in the
multifunction display.
These messages can be cleared from the instrument
cluster by:
•using the J button on the instrument cluster, or
•pressing buttonj, k, è or ÿ on the
multifunction steering wheel.
They are then stored in the malfunction message
memory. See page 106.Notes:
Certain malfunction and warning messages are
accompanied by an audible signal.
Malfunction and warning messages in red are always
accompanied by an audible signal.
Temporary messages such as “SWITCH OFF LIGHTS”
will not be stored in the malfunction message memory.
Wa r n i n g !
All messages contain important information which
should be taken note of and, where malfunction
indicated, addressed as soon as possible at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Failure to repair condition noted may cause
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty, or result in property damage or personal
injury.
J_C208_II.book Seite 232 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10
ProCarManuals.com
Page 236 of 330
233 Malfunction and warning messages
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (engine control unit)
This message is displayed to indicate that the
information being relayed by the engine control unit is
no longer complete. The coolant temperature gauge,
tachometer, or the cruise control may have failed.DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (several systems)
The displays for several systems have failed. Some
systems themselves may also have failed.
Line 1 Line 2
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE VISIT WORKSHOP!
Line 1 Line 2
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE VISIT WORKSHOP!
J_C208_II.book Seite 233 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10
ProCarManuals.com
Page 237 of 330
234 Malfunction and warning messages
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
BATTERY/ALTERNATORThis 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
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR VISIT WORKSHOP!
OVERVOLTAGE VISIT WORKSHOP!
UNDERVOLTAGE CONSUMER DEFECTIVE!
J_C208_II.book Seite 234 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10
ProCarManuals.com
Page 238 of 330
235 Malfunction and warning messages
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index ABS-SYSTEM
A malfunction has been detected in the system. The
brake system functions in the usual manner, but
without antilock assistance.
With the ABS malfunctioning, the BAS and ESP are also
switched off.
Have the system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.BRAKE ASSIST
A malfunction has been detected in the system. The
brake system functions in the usual manner, but
without BAS.
Line 1 Line 2
ABS-SYSTEM VISIT WORKSHOP!
P54.30-2938-21
Line 1 Line 2
BRAKE ASSIST VISIT WORKSHOP!
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE VISIT WORKSHOP!
J_C208_II.book Seite 235 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10
ProCarManuals.com