2004 MERCEDES-BENZ S430 ignition

304 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?
What to do if …?Lamps in instrument clusterGeneral information:
If a bulb in the instrument cluster fails to
come on during the bulb self-check when the ignition is turned on, have it checked
and replaced if necessary.Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
-
The yellow ABS malfunction in-
dicator lamp comes on while
driving.
The ABS has detected a malfunction and
has switched off. The BAS and the ESP are
also switched off (see messages in display).
The brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without the ABS available.
If the ABS control unit is malfunctioning,
other systems such as Parktronic*, Distron-
ic*, and the automatic transmission may
also be malfunctioning.

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

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increas-
es the risk of an accident.
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts and the ABS has switched off.
When the voltage is above this value again,
the ABS is operational again.
If necessary, have the generator and
battery checked.

306 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
?(USA only)±(Canada only)
The yellow malfunction
indicator lamp comes on
while driving.
There is a malfunction in:

The fuel management system


The ignition system


The emission control system


Systems which affect emissions
Such malfunctions may result in excessive
emissions values and may switch the en-
gine to its limp-home (emergency opera-
tion) 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 system.
It allows the accurate identification of
system malfunctions through the read-
out of diagnostic trouble codes. It is lo-
cated in the front left area of the
footwell next to the parking brake pedal.
The fuel cap is not closed tightly.

Close the fuel cap.
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.

322 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
?
VISIT WORKSHOP!
There may be a malfunction in the:

Fuel injection system


Ignition system


Exhaust system


Fuel system

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
B
COOLANT
CHECK LEVEL!
The coolant level is too low.

Add coolant (
page 278).

If you have to add coolant frequently,
have the cooling system checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which
may burn if it comes into contact with hot
engine parts. You can be seriously burned.
!Do not ignore the low engine coolant
level warning. Extended driving with
the message and symbol displayed
may cause serious engine damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Do not drive without a sufficient
amount of coolant in the cooling sys-
tem. The engine will overheat, causing
major engine damage.

328 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
_
ENTRY POSITION
DO NOT DRIVE!
Seat, exterior mirrors and steering wheel
have not yet moved to their preset driving
positions.

Wait until the seat, exterior mirrors and
steering wheel have moved to their driv-
ing positions.
The message will disappear.
Y

HOOD OPEN!
You are driving with the hood open.

Close the hood (
page 273).
I
REMOVE KEY!
You have forgotten to remove the
SmartKey.

Remove the SmartKey from the ignition.
REPLACE KEY!
DRIVE TO WORKSHOP!
The batteries in the SmartKey are dead.

Change the batteries (
page 349).
AUTOM. LIGHT ON
REMOVE KEY!

Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
F
KEY
CHECK BATTERY
!
The battery in the KEYLESS-GO* key is
discharged.

Change the battery (
page 349).
KEY
NOT RECOGNIZED!
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is not rec-
ognized while the engine is running be-
cause

the SmartKey is not in the vehicle


there is strong radio-frequency inter-
ference

Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do
so.

Search for the SmartKey.
Otherwise the vehicle cannot be centrally
locked nor can the engine be started again
after it has been stopped.

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.

407 Index
A
ABC 220, 401
Messages in display 313, 318
Setting vehicle level 219, 221
ABS 77, 401
Malfunction indicator lamp 304
Messages in display 314
Warning lamp 304
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 170
Accident
In case of 50
Activating
Air conditioner (cooling) 191
Air conditioning 190
Air recirculation mode 187
Anti-theft alarm system 84
Central locking (control system) 159
Charcoal filter 188
Distance warning function* 215
Distronic* 211
Easy-entry/exit feature 160
ESP 81
Exterior lamps 125Exterior rear view mirror parking
position 175
Front and rear fog lamp 126, 127
Hazard warning flasher 129
Headlamps 47
High beams 128
Ignition 31
Ignition with KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button 33
Immobilizer 53, 83
Limiting opening height of
trunk lid* 159
Rear window defroster 189
Residual heat 191
Seat heater 114, 116
Seat ventilation* 117
Tow-away alarm 85
Windshield wipers 48
Activating steering wheel gearshift control
Downshifting 169, 172
Upshifting 169, 172
Adding
Coolant 279
Engine oil 277
Additional turn signals 353Adjustable air vents, rear passenger
compartment 192
Adjusting 34
Air distribution 184
Air volume 186
Backrest tilt 35
Drive-dynamic seat 163
Exterior rear view mirror 38
Head restraint height 36
Head restraint tilt 36
Instrument cluster illumination 131
Interior rear view mirror 38
Lumbar support 112
Mirrors 38
Multicontour backrest* 112
Power seat bench* 118
Seat cushion depth 35, 112
Seat cushion tilt 35
Seat fore and aft adjustment 35
Seat height 35
Seat in the lumbar region 113
Seat in the shoulder region 112
Seats 34
Steering column height 37
Steering column in or out 37

417 Index
Global Positioning System (GPS) 403
Glove box 231
Closing 231
Locking 231
Opening 231
Unlocking 231
Gloves (vehicle tool kit) 345
Good visibility 174
GPS 243, 403
H
Hand-held transmitter
Programming integrated remote
control 252
Hands-free microphone 27
Hard plastic trim items
Cleaning 301
Hazard warning flasher 128
Switching off 129
Switching on 129
Head restraint folding 119
Head restraints 109
Headlamp cleaning system* 281Headlamps
Automatic control 125
Bi-Xenon 401
Cleaning 298
Cleaning system* 177, 281
Refilling washer fluid 281
Switching off 53
Switching on 47
Headliner
Cleaning 301
Heated steering wheel* 240
Height adjustment
Head restraints 36
Steering wheel 37
Height adjustments
Vehicle level 219, 221
High beam
Replacing bulbs 353
High beam flasher 48, 128
High beam headlamps
Messages in display 330
Switching on 128
High mounted brake lamp 354Hood 272
Closing 273
Message in display 328
Opening 272
Hydroplaning 263
I
Identification labels 380
Ignition 31, 33
Switching on 43, 44
Immobilizer 83
Activating 83
Deactivating 83
Indicator lamps see Lamps, indicator and
warning
Individual seats* 118
Infant and child restraint systems 69
Installing 72
LATCH child seat anchors 73
Information
About service and warranty 10
Button for Tele Aid* 247
Infrared reflecting windshield 256

418 IndexInside rear view mirror
Antiglare 174
Installing
Infant and child restraint systems 72
Towing eye bolt 373
Wiper blades 360
Instrument cluster 22, 131, 403
Cleaning 301
Coolant temperature gauge 132
Illumination 131
Multifunction display 134
Outside temperature indicator 133
Selecting language 155
Integrated remote control
Canadian programming 254
Erasing memory 255
Hand-held transmitter 252
Operating 255
Rolling code programming 253
Interior illumination
Delayed switch-off 158Interior lighting 129
Activating automatic control 129
Deactivating automatic control 130
Manual operation 130
Interior rear view mirror
Adjusting 38
J
Jump starting 369
K
Key see SmartKey 30, 53
Key, mechanical 348
Key, SmartKey
Positions in starter switch 31
Key, SmartKey, SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*
Replacing the battery 349
Key-dependency memory
Settings 160
KEYLESS-GO* 403
Activating ignition with 33
Closing power windows 198
Closing sliding/pop-up roof 202Locking the vehicle 95
Loss of SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO 96
Messages in display 328
Starting the engine 44
Turning off engine 54
Kickdown 170, 403
Kilometers/miles in speedometer 154
Km/h or mph in speedometer 154
L
Lamp bulbs, exterior 353
Lamps, exterior
Front 353
Light sensor 331
Messages in display 331
Rear 354
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 304
Airbag Off 63
Battery (SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*) 94
Battery (SmartKey) 89
Brakes 305