2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 check engine light

292 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
D
The red coolant warning lamp
lights up when the engine is run-
ning.
There is insufficient coolant in the reservoir.
If this warning lamp lights up frequently,
there is a leak in the cooling system.
If the coolant level is correct, the electric ra-
diator fan may be broken.

Immediately add coolant to prevent
engine from overheating
(page 264).

Have the cooling system checked.

If the coolant temperature is below
257 °F (125 °C), you can continue
driving to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

Avoid high engine loads (e.g. driving
uphill) and stop-and-go driving.
D
The red coolant warning lamp
lights up while driving and you
hear a warning sound.
The coolant temperature has exceeded
257 °F (125 °C).

Stop as soon as possible and allow
the engine and coolant to cool down.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is badly overheat-
ed can cause some fluids which may have
leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns and can occur just by opening
the engine hood. Stay away from the engine
if you see or hear steam coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until it
cools down.

293 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
?
The yellow "CHECK ENGINE"
malfunction indicator lamp
comes on while driving.
There is a malfunction in:

The fuel injection system


The ignition system


The exhaust system


The fuel system
Such malfunctions may result in excessive
emissions values and may switch the engine
to its limp-home (emergency operation)
mode.

Have the vehicle checked as soon as
possible by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
An on-board diagnostic connector is
used by the service station to link the
vehicle to the shop diagnostics sys-
tem. It allows the accurate identifica-
tion of system malfunctions through
the readout of diagnostic trouble
codes. It is located in the front left
area of the footwell next to the park-
ing brake.
Your gas tank is empty.

After refuelling, start the engine three
or four times in succession.
The limp-home mode is canceled. You do
not need to have your vehicle checked.
<
The red seat belt warning lamp
blinks for a brief period after
starting the engine.
The warning lamp reminds you to fasten seat
belts.

Fasten your seat belt.
W
The yellow fuel tank reserve
warning lamp lights up while
driving.
The fuel level has gone below the reserve
mark.
Gas cap not closed tight.

Refuel at the next gas station
(page 259).

Close gas cap

347 Practical hints
Jump starting
The battery is located in the trunk on the
right hand side underneath the luggage
box (
page 325). Only jump start the ve-
hicle from the battery in the trunk.

Make sure that the two vehicles do not
touch.

Turn off all electrical consumers.

Apply parking brake.

Shift selector lever to positionP.1Positive terminal of charged battery
2Positive terminal of discharged battery
3Vehicle ground
4Negative terminal of charged battery

Connect positive terminals1 and2 of
the batteries with the jumper cables.
Clamp cable to charged battery1 first.

Start engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.

Connect negative terminal4 of the
charged battery and vehicle ground3
(lock ring of the trunk lid lock) in the
trunk with the jumper cable. Clamp ca-
ble to charged battery4 first.

Start the engine of the disabled vehi-
cle.
Now you can again turn on the electrical
consumers. Do not turn on the lights under
any circumstances.

Remove the jumper cables first from
vehicle ground3 and negative
terminal4 and then from positive
terminals1 and2.

Have the battery checked at the next
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 266).
iThe message
Malfunction - electric
consumers switched off
may appear
in the instrument cluster. It will disap-
pear as soon as the battery is suffi-
ciently charged.
!Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Do not tow-start the vehicle.

382 IndexAIRMATIC DC (Dual Control) 209
Alarm
Audible 72, 82
Canceling 82
Visual 82
Alarm system
Anti-theft 82
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 340, 375
Antiglare
Automatic 157
Antilock brake system (ABS) 375
Anti-theft alarm system
Arming 82
Canceling alarm 82
Disarming 82
Anti-theft systems 81
Anti-theft alarm system 82
Immobilizer 81
Tow-away alarm 82
Ashtray 231
AUDIO menu 126
Selecting radio station 127
Automatic antiglare for rear view
mirror 157Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating (control
system) 142
Automatic climate control
Temperature sensor 27
Automatic climate control* 172
Adjusting air distribution 177
Adjusting air volume 166, 177
Air recirculation mode 178
Defrosting 178
Rear window defroster 169, 180
Residual heat utilization 182
Residual ventilation 182
Setting the temperature 176
Automatic headlamp mode 113
Automatic lighting control
Activating 116
Deactivating 116
Automatic locking when driving 99
Automatic transmission 151
Accelerator position 156
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 156
Gear ranges 153Gear selector lever position 154
Gear shifting malfunctions 156
Kickdown 156
One-touch gearshifting 152
Program mode selector switch 155
Selector lever position 151
Starting the engine 43
Winter program mode 155
B
BabySmart
TM
Compatible child seats 375
Self-test 68
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 67, 375
Backrest
Folding forward 220
Folding rearward 221
BAS 74, 375
Messages in display 297, 298
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 329
Check lamp 87
Checking 88

389 Index
Key, Mechanical 327
Key, SmartKey
Battery check lamp 87
Checking the batteries 88
Factory setting 87
Global locking 87
Global unlocking 87
Loss of 89
Positions in starter switch 31
Remote controls 86
Restoring to factory setting 87
Selective setting 87
Starting the engine 44
Turning off the engine 52
Unlocking the trunk lid 88
Unlocking with 30
Key, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Turning off the engine 53
KEYLESS-GO*
Activating ignition with 33
Closing side windows 92
Closing sliding/pop-up roof* 92
Factory setting 91
Global locking 91
Global unlocking 91
Important notes 90Locking the vehicle 92
Remote controls 89
Starting the engine 44
Turning off engine 53
Unlocking with 32
Unlocking, trunk lid 92
KEYLESS-GO* card
Messages in display 309
Keys 86
Kickdown 156, 377
Kilometers/miles in speedometer 134
Km/h or mph in speedometer 134
L
Lamp bulbs, exterior 332
Lamps, exterior
Front 332
Light sensor 313
Messages in display 313–??
Replacing bulbs for rear 333, 336
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 289
Airbag Off 61
Battery (SmartKey) 87
Brakes 291
Coolant 292
DTR* 199ESP 288
SBC 77
Seat belts 293
SRS 56
Language
Multifunction display 135
Setting 135
Layout of poly-V-belt drive 359
Level control system
AIRMATIC DC 209
Lever
Cruise control 201
License plate lamps 333
Messages in display 316
Replacing bulbs 336
Light sensor 313
Lighter see Cigarette lighter 232
Lighting 112
Automatic headlamp mode 113
Combination switch 115
Daytime running lamp mode 114
Door entry lamps 117
Exterior lamp switch 112
Front fog lamps 114
High beams 115
Instrument cluster illumination 118

396 IndexSteering column
Height adjustment 38
Length adjustment 38
Steering gear oil
Message in display 318
Steering wheel
Adjusting 37
Electrical adjustment 38
Height adjustment 38
Stolen vehicle
Tracking services 242
Stopping
Sliding/pop-up roof* 188
Windows 185
Storage compartments
Glove box 226
Storing (Memory function*)
Positions into memory 110
Submenus
Convenience 143
For settings 123
In control system 125
Instrument cluster 134, 136
Lighting 138
Resetting functions in Control
system 131Selecting 131
Settings menu 131
Vehicle 142
Sun visors 158
Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) 379
Suspension tuning
For regular driving style 212
For sporty driving style 212
Switching off
Automatic central locking (control
system) 142
Engine 51
ESP 76
Hazard warning flasher 115
Headlamps 51
Switching on
Automatic central locking (control
system) 142
ESP 77
Front fog lamps 114
Hazard warning flasher 115
Headlamps 46
High beams 115
Rear fog lamp 114
Windshield wipers 47Symbol (Distronic*)
Distance warning function* 129
Synchronizing
Power windows 186
Sliding/pop-up roof* 189
T
Tachometer 120
Overspeed range 120
Tail lamps 333, 336
Tele Aid System 379
Tele Aid* 234
Emergency calls 236
Info services 242
Information 239
Initiating an emergency call
manually 237
Remote door unlock 241
Roadside assistance 238
SOS button 237
Stolen vehicle tracking services 242
System self-check 235
Tele Aid System 235
Upgrade signals 240
Telematics* 379
Telephone* 24, 233
Answering a call 148