2005 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 check engine light

259 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
{
The yellow ETS malfunction indi-
cator lamp comes on while the
4-ETS / ESP warning lampv
flashes.
4-ETS has switched off to prevent overheat-
ing of the brakes. Also see 4-ETS / ESP warn-
ing lamp (
page 258).
As soon as the brakes have cooled off,
4-ETS switches on again.
The indicator lamp goes out.
4-ETS is malfunctioning and has switched off.

Have the 4-ETS checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
ê
The yellow LOW RANGE indicator
lamp flashes after one or more
switching conditions.
The gear selection conditions have not been
adhered to.

Repeat the gear selection process
(page 127).
ê
The yellow LOW RANGE indicator
lamp flashes after switching the
ignition on.
LOW RANGE mode is malfunctioning.
Have the LOW RANGE mode checked at
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
The yellow fuel tank reserve
warning lamp comes on while
driving.
The fuel level has gone below the reserve
mark.

Refuel at the next gas station
(page 219).
The yellow fuel tank reserve
warning lamp flashes when leav-
ing the engine running.
The fuel cap is not closed tightly.

Check the fuel cap (
page 219).

261 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
#
The red charge indicator lamp
comes on when the engine is
running.
The battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:

alternator malfunctioning


broken poly-V-belt

Stop immediately and check the
poly-V-belt.
If it is broken

Do not continue to drive, before the
poly-V-belt is replaced.
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.
2
The yellow brake indicator lamp
comes on during braking or after
starting the engine.
The brake pads are worn down.

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
!Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the
intervals specified in the Maintenance
Booklet.

288 Practical hintsBatteryThe battery is located on the passenger
side of the engine compartment.
1Negative terminal
2Positive terminal
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these instructions can
result in severe injury or death.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 228).
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.
!Never loosen or detach battery termi-
nal clamps while the engine is running
or the key is in the steering lock. Other-
wise the alternator and other electronic
components could be severely dam-
aged.
Have the battery checked regularly by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Refer to Maintenance Booklet for main-
tenance intervals or contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center for further information.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.

291 Practical hints
Jump starting
Jump starting
If the battery is discharged, the engine can
be started with jumper cables and the
battery of another vehicle. Observe the
following:

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 jump start from batteries with the
same voltage rating (12 V). Jump start-
ing with a more powerful battery could
damage the vehicle’s electrical system,
which will not be covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.


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


Always make sure the jumper cables
are not on or near pulleys, fans, or oth-
er parts that move when the 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
using a battery quick charge unit.
If engine does not run after several
unsuccessful starting attempts, have it
checked at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck 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.

292 Practical hintsJump startingThe battery is located on the passenger
side of the engine compartment.
Make sure the two vehicles do not
touch.

Turn off all electrical consumers.

Apply parking brake.

Shift gear selector lever to positionP.

Open the hood.1Positive terminal of charged battery
2Negative terminal of charged battery
3Negative terminal of discharged
battery
4Positive terminal of discharged battery

Connect positive terminals1 and4
of the batteries with the jumper cable.
Clamp cable to positive terminal1 of
charged battery first.

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

Connect negative terminals2 and3
of the batteries with the jumper cable.
Clamp cable to negative terminal2 of
charged battery first.

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

Remove the jumper cables first from
the negative terminals3 and2 and
then from positive terminals4
and1.
You can now turn on the lights.

Have the battery checked at the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck 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 228).
!Never invert the terminal connections!
!Do not tow-start the vehicle.

318 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Anticorrosion / antifreeze
Your vehicle contains a number of
aluminum parts. The use of aluminum
components in motor vehicle engines ne-
cessitates that anticorrosion / antifreeze
coolant used in such engines be
specifically formulated to protect the
aluminum parts. (Failure to use such anticorrosion / antifreeze coolant will
result in a significantly shortened service
life.)
Therefore, the following product is strongly
recommended for use in your vehicle:
Mercedes-Benz 325.0
anticorrosion / antifreeze agent.Before the start of the winter season (or
once a year in hot southern regions), you
should have the anticorrosion / antifreeze
concentration checked. The coolant is also
regularly checked each time you bring your
vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center for service.
Anticorrosion / antifreeze quantityModel
Approx. freeze protection– 35°F (– 37°C)
– 49°F (– 45°C)
ML 350, ML 500,
6.4 US qt (6.0 l)
7.0 US qt (6.6 l)

332 IndexC
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 323
Calibrating compass 191
California
Important notice 11
Calling up
Service indicator 238
CAN system 323
Capacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 312
Cargo area see Cargo compartment
Cargo compartment
Liftgate 89
Lighting 116
Tie-down rings 161
Cargo compartment cover blind* 164
Closing 164
Installing 165
Opening 164
Removing 164
Cargo floor plates 165
Installing 166
Removing 165
Storing 165Cargo tie-down rings 161
Catalytic converter 217
CD-changer* 265
Center console 27
Lower part 28
Upper part 27
Central locking
Automatic 93
From inside 94
Switch 94
Unlocking from inside 94
Central locking switch 94
Certification label 304
Charge indicator lamp 261
Charging
Vehicle battery 289
Chart
Fuses 298
CHECK ENGINE malfunction
indicator lamp 254, 255Checking
Coolant level 227
Oil level 223
Tire inflate pressure 221
Vehicle lighting 221
Checking weights
Trailer and vehicle 213
Checklist
Off-road driving 205
Returning from off-road driving 210
Child safety 67
Airbags 60
Infant and child
restraint systems 64, 68
LATCH child seat mounts 73
Child safety switch see Blocking of rear
door window operation
Cigarette lighter
Front center console 171

339 Index
Intermittent wiping 132
J
Jack 265
Jump starting 291
K
Key
Global locking 89
Global unlocking 89
Loss of 90
Positions in steering lock 33
Remote control with folding key 88
Unlocking liftgate 89
Unlocking the driver’s door,
fuel filler flap 89
Key, Mechanical 268
Key, Remote control
Unlocking with 32
Kickdown 124, 325
L
Labels, identification 304
Lamp bulbs, exterior 274
Lamps, exterior
Front 274
Rear 275Lamps, indicator and warning
4-ETS 258, 259
ABS 248
Adjustable steering column 260
AIRBAG OFF 63, 249
BAS 78, 251, 252
Battery indicator lamp 261
Brake pad wear 261
Brakes 250
CHECK ENGINE 254, 255
CHECK Engine malfunction indicator
lamp 255
Coolant 256
EBP 251
Engine diagnostics 254, 255
ESP 251, 252, 258
Front fog lamps 260
Fuel reserve 259
Low engine oil level 260
LOW RANGE 259
Low washer system fluid level 260
Seat belts 260
Service indicator 237
SRS 262
Turn signals 25LATCH child seat anchors 73
LATCH child seat mounts 73
Layout of poly-V-belt drive 305
Leather upholstery
Cleaning 245
Lever
For cruise control 153
License plate lamps
Replacing bulbs 275, 281
Liftgate
Closing 92
Opening 89, 91
Opening from inside 91
Opening from outside 91
Light alloy wheels
Cleaning 244
Lighter see cigarette lighter