2005 MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS light

366 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
.
FRONT FOGLAMP, LEFT
CHECK LIGHT
The left front fog lamp is malfunctioning.

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

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
HIGH BEAM, LEFT
CHECK LIGHT
The left high beam lamp is malfunction-
ing.

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

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

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

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
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 163).

Switch on headlamps using the exterior
lamp switch.

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

367 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
.
LOW BEAM, LEFT
CHECK LIGHT
The left low beam lamp is malfunctioning.
Halogen headlamp:
Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Bi-Xenon* headlamp:

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
LOW BEAM, RIGHT
CHECK LIGHT
The right low beam lamp is malfunction-
ing.
Halogen headlamp:
Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Bi-Xenon* headlamp:

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
MARKER LIGHT, FL
CHECK LIGHT

The front left side marker lamp is mal-
functioning.

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

The front right side marker lamp is mal-
functioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
REAR FOGLIGHT
CHECK LIGHT

The rear fog lamp is malfunctioning.

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

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

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.

368 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
.
STANDING LIGHT, L
CHECK LIGHT

The left front parking lamp is malfunction-
ing.

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

The right front parking signal lamp is mal-
functioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
STANDING LIGHT, L
CHECK LIGHT

SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
The left rear parking signal lamp is mal-
functioning. A substitute bulb is being
used.

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

SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
The right rear parking signal lamp is mal-
functioning. A substitute bulb is being
used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
TAIL LIGHT, LEFT
CHECK LIGHT

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

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
TAIL LIGHT, RIGHT
CHECK LIGHT

SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
The right tail lamp is malfunctioning. A
substitute bulb is being used.

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

Turn the exterior lamp switch to M
(page 50).

369 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
.
FRONT TURN SIGNAL, L
CHECK LIGHT

The left front turn signal lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
FRONT TURN SIGNAL, R
CHECK LIGHT

The right front turn signal lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
REAR TURN SIGNAL, L
CHECK LIGHT
SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
The left rear turn signal lamp is malfunc-
tioning. A substitute bulb is being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
REAR TURN SIGNAL, R
CHECK LIGHT

SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
The right rear turn signal lamp is malfunc-
tioning. A substitute bulb is being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
MIRROR TURN SIG., L
CHECK LIGHT
The left turn signal in the side mirror is
malfunctioning. This message will only ap-
pear if all light emitting diodes have
stopped working.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
MIRROR TURN SIG., R
CHECK LIGHT
The right turn signal in the side mirror is
malfunctioning. This message will only ap-
pear if all light emitting diodes have
stopped working.

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

386 Practical hintsOpening/closing in an emergencyTilt/sliding sunroof
You can open or close the tilt/sliding sun-
roof manually should an electrical malfunc-
tion occur.
The tilt/sliding sunroof drive is located be-
hind the lens of the interior overhead light.
1Lens

Pry off lens1 using a flat blade srew-
driver (
page 379).

Switch on ignition (
page 34).

Take crank the crank from the opera-
tor’s manual pouch.
2Crank

Insert crank2 through hole.

Turn crank2 clockwise to:

slide sunroof closed


raise roof at the rear

Turn crank2 counterclockwise to:

slide sunroof open


lower roof at the rear
iTurn crank2 slowly and smoothly.
The tilt/sliding sunroof must be syn-
chronized after being operated manual-
ly (
page 213).

388 Practical hintsReplacing SmartKey batteries3Battery
4Contact spring
Using a lint-free cloth, insert new
batteries3 under the contact
spring4 with the plus (+) side facing
up.

Return battery compartment2 into
housing until it locks into place.

Slide mechanical key1 back into the
SmartKey.

Check the operation of the SmartKey.
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
1Battery
2Tilt battery up
3Mechanical key

Remove mechanical key out of the
SmartKey (
page 383).
Replacement battery: Lithium, type
CR 2025 or equivalent.

Insert the mechanical key3 in side
opening and push gray slide.
The battery compartment is unlatched.

Pull the battery compartment out of the
SmartKey housing.

Using mechanical key3, apply pres-
sure to position2.
Battery1 tilts up slightly.

Pull out battery1 in direction of ar-
row.

Using a lint-free cloth, insert the new
battery with the plus (+) side facing up.

Return battery compartment into hous-
ing until it locks into place.

Slide mechanical key1 back into the
SmartKey.

Check the operation of KEYLESS-GO*.
iWhen inserting the battery, make sure
they are clean and free of lint.iThe required replacement battery is
available at any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

389 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.
iIf the headlamps or front fog lamps are
fogged up on the inside as a result of
high humidity, driving the vehicle a dis-
tance with the lights on should clear up
the fogging.
iSubstitute bulbs will be brought into
use when the following lamps malfunc-
tion:

Brake lamps


Rear parking lamps


Rear turn signal lamps


Tail lamps
Observe the messages in the multi-
function display (
page 365).

391 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Notes on bulb replacement


Only use 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.


Your hands should be dry and free of oil
and grease.


If the newly installed bulb does not
come on, visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.Have the LEDs and bulbs for the following
lamps replaced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.


Additional turn signal lamps in the exte-
rior rear view mirrors


Bi-Xenon lamps*


High mounted brake lamp


Brake lamps


Rear side marker lamps


Rear parking lamps
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 Xenon lamps, it is
dangerous to replace the bulb or repair the
lamp and its components. We recommend
that you have such work done by a qualified
technician.
iHave the headlamp adjustment
checked regularly.