2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 Voltage

297 Practical hints
What to do if …
ABS
Braking system
not working!
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts and the ABS has switched off.
The brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without the ABS available.

When the voltage is above this value
again, the ABS is operational again.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels will lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.

Have the system checked at an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accident.
BAS
defective!
Visit workshop!
The BAS has detected a malfunction and
switched off. The SBC brake system is still
functioning normally but without the BAS
available.

Continue driving with added caution.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accident.
BAS
Display malfunction
Visit workshop!
The BAS or the BAS display is malfunction-
ing.

Continue driving with added caution.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accident.
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution

298 Practical hintsWhat to do if …BAS
not available!
See operator’s manual
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts and the BAS has switched off.
The brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without the BAS available.

When the voltage is above this value
again, the BAS is operational again.

Have the system checked at an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center if
you see the warning message for a
longer period of time.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accident.
ESP
Malfunction!
Visit workshop!
The ESP is deactivated because of a mal-
function or interrupted power supply. The
SBC brake system is still functioning nor-
mally. The ABS may still be operational.

With the vehicle stationary, turn the
steering wheel completely to the left
and then to the right to synchronize
the ESP.
If the ESP message does not go out:

Continue driving with added caution.

Visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accident.
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution

303 Practical hints
What to do if …
G
Display defective
The instrument cluster display is malfunc-
tioning.

Continue driving with added caution.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
G

Display defective
Visit workshop!
The displays for several systems have mal-
functioned. Some systems themselves may
also have malfunctioned.

Have the electronic systems
checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
L
Visit workshop!
One or more main functions of the Tele Aid
system are malfunctioning.

Have the Tele Aid system checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.
#
Malfunction
Electrical consumers
switched off
The consumer battery has insufficient volt-
age and can no longer supply the conve-
nience functions such as seat ventilation*.
The electrical consumers will come back
online as soon as on-board voltage is
sufficient.
#
Battery/Alternator
Stop vehicle!
The battery is malfunctioning.
The SBC brake system requires electrical
energy and therefore has only limited oper-
ation. Considerably greater brake pedal
force is required and the stopping distance
is increased.

Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe
to do so. Adjust driving to be consis-
tent with reduced braking respon-
siveness.

Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
#
Undervoltage
Charge battery
The battery has insufficient voltage.

Start the engine (
page 43).
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution

304 Practical hintsWhat to do if …#
Undervoltage
Switch off
consumers
The battery has insufficient voltage.

Turn off unnecessary electrical con-
sumers.
–
Battery/Alternator
Visit workshop!
The battery was charged with a battery
charger or jump started.
The battery is no longer charging. Possible
causes:

Alternator malfunctioning


Broken poly-V-belt
Do not forget that the brake system re-
quires electrical energy and may be operat-
ing with restricted capability. Considerably
greater brake pedal force is required and
the stopping distance is increased.

Have the battery checked at a ser-
vice station.

Stop immediately and check the
poly-V-belt.
If it is broken:
Do not continue to drive. Notify
an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
If it is in order:

Drive immediately to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter. Adjust driving to be consis-
tent with reduced braking
responsiveness.
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution

305 Practical hints
What to do if …
2
Brake wear
Visit workshop!
The brake pads have reached their wear
limit.

Brake pad thickness must be visually
inspected at the intervals specified in
the Service Booklet.

Have the brake pads replaced as
soon as possible.
T
Brake malfunction
Stop vehicle
The SBC brake system is in the limp-home
(emergency operation) mode. Consider-
ably greater brake pedal force is required
and the stopping distance is increased.
Do not exceed a speed of 55 mph
(90 km/h).

Do not drive any further.

Significantly greater force must be
applied to the brake pedal.

Call for roadside assistance.
Except Canada:;Canada only:3
Reduced braking effect
Start engine!
Increased braking dis-
tance
Start engine!
The battery has insufficient voltage and
cannot supply sufficient power to the SBC
brake system.

Start the engine.
The message disappears when suffi-
cient voltage is available
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution

332 Practical hintsReplacing bulbs
Replacing bulbsSafe vehicle operation depends on proper
exterior lighting and signaling. It is there-
fore essential that all bulbs and lamp as-
semblies are in good working order at all
times.
Correct headlamp adjustment is extremely
important. Have headlamps checked and
readjusted at regular intervals and when a
bulb has been replaced. See your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for headlamp
adjustment.
Bulbs Front lamps
iBackup bulbs will be brought into use
when the following lamps malfunction:

Standing lamps


Tail lamps
Lamp
Type
1
Additional turn sig-
nal lamps
LED
2
Turn signal lamp
1156 NA
3
Side marker lamp
W 5 W
4
Low beam
H7 (55 W)
Bi-Xenon*
1
D2S-35 W
1Vehicles with Bi-Xenon headlamps*: Low beam
and high beam use the same D2S-35W lamp. For
safety reasons (high voltage), do not replace the
Bi-Xenon bulb yourself. See your authorized Mer-
cedes-Benz Center.5
High beam
H7 (55 W)
Parking and stand-
ing lamps
W 5 W
6
Fog lamp
HB4/9006
(55 W)

333 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Rear lamps Notes on bulb replacement


Use only 12-volt bulbs of the same type
and with the specified watt rating.


Switch lights off before changing a bulb
to prevent short circuits.


Always use a clean lint-free cloth when
handling bulbs.


Y o u r h a n d s s h o u l d b e d r y a n d f r e e o f o i l
and grease.


If the newly installed bulb does not light
up, visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.


Have the LEDs and bulbs for the follow-
ing lamps replaced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center:

Additional turn signal lamps in the
exterior rear view mirrors


High mounted brake lamp


Bi-Xenon lamps


Front fog lamps
Lamp
Type
7
High mounted brake
lamp
LED
8
Tail, parking and
standing lamp
HiP
9
License plate lamps
C 5 W
Warning!
G
Keep bulbs out of reach of children.
Bulbs and bulb sockets can be very hot. Al-
low the lamp to cool down before changing
a bulb.
Halogen lamps contain pressurized gas. A
bulb can explode if you:

touch or move it when hot


drop the bulb


scratch the bulb
Wear eye and hand protection.
Because of high voltage in Bi-Xenon lamps,
it is dangerous to replace the bulb or repair
the lamp and its components. We recom-
mend that you have such work done by a
qualified technician.

334 Practical hintsReplacing bulbsReplacing bulbs for front lamps
1Bulb socket for turn signal lamp
2High beam bulb
3Bulb socket for parking and standing
lamp
High beam bulb (Halogen headlamps
only)
Switch off the lights.

Open the hood (
page 261).

Press the clamp and remove headlamp
cover.

Pull electrical connector off.

Turn the locking mechanism counter-
clockwise and take out the high beam
bulb2.

Insert the new high beam bulb so that
the base is in the recess of the holder.

Turn the locking mechanism clockwise.

Plug the connector onto the high beam
bulb.

Align headlamp cover and click into
place.
High beam bulb (Bi-Xenon* headlamps
only)

Switch off the lights.

Open the hood (
page 261).

Press the clamp and remove headlamp
cover.

Pull electrical connector off.

Turn the locking mechanism counter-
clockwise and take out the high beam
bulb2.

Insert the new high beam bulb so that
the base is in the recess of the holder.

Turn the locking mechanism clockwise.

Plug the connector onto the high beam
bulb.

Align headlamp cover and click into
place.
Warning!
G
Because of high voltage in Bi-Xenon lamps,
it is dangerous to replace the bulb or repair
the lamp and its components. We recom-
mend that you have such work done by a
qualified technician.