2004 MERCEDES-BENZ S430 check lamps

329 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
F
KEY
NOT RECOGNIZED!
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is mo-
mentarily not recognized.

Change the position of the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* in the vehicle.

Operate the vehicle with the SmartKey in
the starter switch if necessary.
KEY DETECTED
IN VEHICLE
A SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* left in the
vehicle was recognized while locking the
vehicle from the outside.

Take the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
out of the vehicle.
KEY
DRIVE TO WORKSHOP!
The KEYLESS-GO* system is malfunction-
ing.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
.
3RD BRAKE LIGHT
CHECK LAMP!

The high mounted brake lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
BRAKE LIGHT
VISIT WORKSHOP!
Brake lamp illumination is delayed or
lamp is permanently on.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
BRAKE LIGHT, L
CHECK LAMP!

SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
The left brake lamp is malfunctioning. A
back-up bulb is being used.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
BRAKE LIGHT, R
CHECK LAMP!

SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
The right brake lamp is malfunctioning. A
back-up bulb is being used.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
DISPLAY MALFUNCTION
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The display for the lamps or the system is
malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.

330 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
.
FRONT FOGLAMP, L
CHECK LAMP!
The left front fog lamp is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
FRONT FOGLAMP, R
CHECK LAMP!
The right front fog lamp is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
FR. L. PARK. LAMP
CHECK LAMP!

SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
The left parking lamps are malfunction-
ing. A back-up bulb is being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
FR. R. PARK. LAMP
CHECK LAMP!

SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
The right parking lamps are malfunction-
ing. A back-up bulb is being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
HIGH BEAM, L
CHECK LAMP!
The left high beam lamp is malfunction-
ing.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
HIGH BEAM, R
CHECK LAMP!
The right high beam lamp is malfunction-
ing.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
LICENSE PLATE LAMP, L
CHECK LAMP!
The left license plate lamp is malfunction-
ing.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
LICENSE PLATE LAMP, R
CHECK LAMP!
The right license plate lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.

331 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
.
LIGHT SENSOR
DRIVE TO WORKSHOP!
The lamp sensor is malfunctioning. The
headlamps switch on automatically.

In the control system, set lamp operation
to manual (
page 154).

Switch on headlamps using the exterior
lamp switch.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
LOW BEAM, L
CHECK LAMP!
The left low beam lamp is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
LOW BEAM, R
CHECK LAMP!
The right low beam lamp is malfunction-
ing.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
MARKER LIGHT, FL
CHECK LAMP!

The front left side marker lamp is mal-
functioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
MARKER LIGHT, FR
CHECK LAMP!

The front right side marker lamp is mal-
functioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
REAR FOGLAMP
CHECK LAMP!

The rear fog lamp is malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
REVERSE LIGHT, L
CHECK LAMP!
The left reverse lamp is malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
REVERSE LIGHT, R
CHECK LAMP!
The right reverse lamp is malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.

332 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
.
STANDING LIGHT, L
CHECK LAMP!

SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
The left standing lamp is malfunctioning.
A back-up bulb is being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
STANDING LIGHT, R
CHECK LAMP!

SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
The right standing signal lamp is malfunc-
tioning. A back-up bulb is being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
TAIL LIGHT, L
CHECK LAMP!

SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
The left tail lamp is malfunctioning. A
back-up bulb is being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
TAIL LIGHT, R
CHECK LAMP!

SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
The right tail lamp is malfunctioning. A
back-up bulb is being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
SWITCH OFF LIGHTS!
Lamps have been turned on although the
SmartKey in the ignition is in position 0.

Turn off the headlamps.
TURN SIGNAL F, L
CHECK LAMP!

SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
The left front turn signal lamp is malfunc-
tioning. A back-up bulb is being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
TURN SIGNAL F, R
CHECK LAMP!

SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
The right front turn signal lamp is mal-
functioning. A back-up bulb is being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.

353 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Replacing bulbs
Safe 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 an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for headlamp ad-
justment.
Bulbs Front lamps
iBackup bulbs will be brought into use
when the following lamps malfunction:

Turn signal lamps


Brake lamps


Parking lamps


Tail lamps
Lamp
Type
1
Additional turn sig-
nal lamps
LED
2
Low beam
1
1Vehicles with Bi-Xenon headlamps*: Low beam
and high beam use the same D2S-35W lamp. Do
not replace the Bi-Xenon bulbs yourself. See an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
H7-55 W
Bi -Xenon*
D2S-35 W
3
Turn signal lamp
2357 A
4
Fog lamp
H7-55 W
5
Parking and stand-
ing lamp
W5W
6
Side marker lamp
W5W
7
High beam
H7-55 W

366 Practical hintsBattery
Battery
The battery is located on the right side of
the trunk under the battery cover.
1Battery cover 
Pull on the outer, right-hand side of
cover1 and remove it in the direction
of the arrow.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these instructions can re-
sult in severe injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting,
you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.Warning!
G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof battery only to avoid the risk
of acid burns in the event of an accident.
!Never loosen or detach battery termi-
nal clamps while the engine is running
or the SmartKey is in the starter switch.
Otherwise the alternator and other
electronic components could be se-
verely damaged.
Have the battery checked regularly by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Refer to Service Booklet for mainte-
nance intervals or contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for further
information.Warning!
G
With a disconnected battery

you will no longer be able to turn the
SmartKey in the starter switch and
pressing the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button on the gear selector lever will
have no effect


the gear selector lever will remain
locked in positionP

369 Practical hints
Jump starting
Jump starting
If the battery is discharged, the engine can
be started with jumper cables and the bat-
tery of another vehicle. Observe the follow-
ing:

Jump starting should only be performed
when the engine and catalytic convert-
er are cold.


Do not start the engine if the battery is
frozen. Let the battery thaw out first.


Only use 12 volt battery to jump start
your vehicle. Jump starting with a more
powerful battery could damage the ve-
hicle’s electrical system, which will not
be covered by the Mercedes-Benz Lim-
ited Warranty.


Only use jumper cables with sufficient
cross-section and insulated terminal
clamps.


Always make sure that the jumper ca-
bles are not on or near pulleys, fans or
other parts that move when an engine
is started or running.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these directions will cause
damage to the electronic components, and
can lead to a battery explosion and severe
injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting
or jump starting, you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water, and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and very explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery
can result in it exploding, causing personal
injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
!Avoid repeated and lengthy starting at-
tempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine us-
ing a battery quick charge unit.
If engine does not run after several un-
successful starting attempts, have it
checked at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by
repeated failed starting attempts may
damage the catalytic converter and
may present a fire risk.
Make sure the jumper cables do not
have loose or missing insulation.
Make sure the cable clamps do not
touch any other metal part while the
other end is still attached to a battery.!Do not tow-start the vehicle.

409 Index
Automatic lighting control
Activating 129
Deactivating 130
Automatic locking when driving 106
Automatic transmission 164
Accelerator position 170
Comfortable program mode 170
Deactivating steering wheel gearshift
control 173
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) 173
Fluid level 278
Gear ranges 166
Gear selector lever position 167
Gear shifting malfunctions 173
Kickdown 170
One-touch gearshifting 165
Program mode selector switch 170
Selector lever position 164
Starting the engine 43
Steering wheel gearshift control
(Speedshift) S 55 AMG 168
Transmission fluid 278
Winter program mode 171
Auxiliary fuse box 374B
BabySmart
TM
Airbag deactivation system 71
Compatible child seats 71, 401
Self-test 71
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 401
Backrest supports
Lumbar region 113
Shoulder region 112
Backup lamps 354, 358
Bulbs 354
BAS 78, 401
Messages in display 315
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 350
Check lamp 90, 91
Replacing 349
Battery discharged
Jump starting 369
Battery, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Changing 351
Check lamp 95Battery, vehicle 280, 366
Charging 367
Disconnecting 367
Reconnecting 368
Reinstalling 367
Removing 367
Bi-Xenon headlamps 401
Block heater (Canada only) 293
Blocking
Rear window operation 74
Brake assist system (BAS) 401
Brake fluid 270, 394
Brake lamp bulbs 354
Brake lamp, high mounted 354
Brake pads
Message in display 321
Brakes 260
Warning lamp 305
Break-in period 258
Bulbs, replacing 353
Additional turn signals 353
Backup lamps 354
Brake lamps 354