Page 262 of 393
261 Practical hints
What to do if ...
5
The key can no longer be turned in the igni-
tion lock.
The on-board voltage is too low.
\1Remove the key and re-insert it into
the ignition lock.
\1Switch off all non-essential consum-
ers, for example the seat heating, in-
terior lighting, and try to turn the key
again.
If this does not work:
\1Check the starter battery and charge
it if necessary.
or
\1The engine may be jump-started
(\2page 340).
or
\1Consult an authorized Sprinter
Dealer.
Problem
Possible cause / result
Suggested solutions
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264 Practical hintsWhat to do if ...
5
Auxiliary heating*Warning
G
Always have maintenance work carried out
at an authorized Sprinter Dealer which has
the necessary specialist knowledge and
tools to carry out the work required.
The manufacturer recommends that you use
an authorized Sprinter Dealer for this pur-
pose. In particular, work relevant to safety
or on safety-related systems must be
carried out at an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
If this work is carried out incorrectly, the op-
erating safety of the heater can no longer be
guaranteed and there is a risk of accident
and injury.
Problem
Possible cause / result
Suggested solutions
The battery check lamp on the remote con-
trol for the auxiliary heating does not light
up briefly when a button is pressed.
The remote control batteries are discharged.
\1Change the remote control batteries
(\2page 316).
The auxiliary heating does not switch on or
the engine does not start.
Lack of fuel.
The fuel tank is less than a quarter full. The
auxiliary heating switches off automatically.
\1Refuel at the nearest refueling sta-
tion.
\1Then start the auxiliary heating re-
peatedly until the fuel lines are full.
The undervoltage protection circuit integrat-
ed in the control unit switches off the auxilia-
ry heating because the on-board voltage is
less than 10 V.
\1If necessary, have the alternator and
the battery checked.
The fuse has blown.
\1Replace the fuse (\2page 345).
\1Have the cause of the blown fuse
checked at an authorized Sprinter
Dealer.
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272 Practical hintsWhat to do if ...
5
#
The yellow ESP
® indicator lamp is
lit while the engine is running.
WARNING
G
ESP
® has been deactivated due to a mal-
function. Cruise control is also switched off
as a result.
Vehicle stability is no longer automatically
controlled in good time.
Engine power output may be reduced.
\1Also observe the messages in the dis-
play on vehicles with steering wheel
buttons (\2page 284).
\1Continue driving, but with even great-
er care.
\1Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Sprinter Dealer as soon as pos-
sible.
ESP
® has been deactivated due to under-
voltage.
The battery may not be being charged.
Vehicle stability is no longer automatically
controlled in good time.
Engine power output may be reduced.
\1Continue driving, but with even great-
er care.
\1Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Sprinter Dealer as soon as pos-
sible.
1
The red SRS warning lamp does
not go out after approximately 4
seconds after the ignition system
is switched on or lights up again.
WARNING
G
The restraint systems have malfunctioned.
The airbags or emergency tensioning re-
tractors could be triggered unintentionally,
or not at all in the event of an accident.
\1Drive on with even greater care to an
authorized Sprinter Dealer.
Problem
Possible cause / result
Suggested solutions
Page 274 of 393
273 Practical hints
What to do if ...
5
#
The red battery charge warning
lamp lights up while the engine is
running.
WARNING
G
The battery is not being charged. Possible
causes:
\4malfunctioning alternator
\4torn poly-V-belt
\1Stop immediately and check the poly-
V-belt.
If it is torn:
\1Do not drive any further. Consult
the nearest authorized Sprinter
Dealer.
If it is not damaged:
\1Have your vehicle checked at an
authorized Sprinter Dealer.
The battery is malfunctioning.
\1Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe
to do so.
\1Do not drive any further.
\1Contact a breakdown service, an au-
thorized Sprinter Dealer.
2
The yellow brake pad wear indica-
tor lamp lights up after the engine
is started or while the vehicle is in
motion.
WARNING
G
The brake pads / linings have reached their
wear limit.
\1Have the brake pads / linings replaced
as soon as possible at an authorized
Sprinter Dealer.
Problem
Possible cause / result
Suggested solutions
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274 Practical hintsWhat to do if ...
5
:
The yellow engine oil level warning
lamp flashes after the engine is
started or while the vehicle is in
motion.
The engine oil level has dropped to the min-
imum level. If the engine oil level falls any
further, the indicator lamp will light up con-
tinuously.
\1Check the engine oil level and add en-
gine oil at the nearest refueling sta-
tion (\2page 190).
\1If there is visible oil loss from the
engine, have the fault rectified imme-
diately at an authorized Sprinter Deal-
er.
:
The yellow engine oil level warning
lamp lights up, the
-2.0 l
engine
oil level message appears in the
display and the warning buzzer
sounds after the engine is started
or while the vehicle is in motion.
There is insufficient or no oil in the engine.
There is a risk of engine damage.
\1Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe
to do so.
\1Switch off the engine.
\1Check the engine oil level using the
dipstick (\2page 190).
\1If the oil level is correct, have the mal-
function rectified immediately at an
authorized Sprinter Dealer.
\1If there is insufficient or no oil in the
engine, have the vehicle towed to an
authorized Sprinter Dealer.
Problem
Possible cause / result
Suggested solutions
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275 Practical hints
What to do if ...
5
:
The yellow engine oil level warning
lamp lights up, the
HI
engine oil
level message appears in the dis-
play and the warning buzzer
sounds after the engine is started
or while the vehicle is in motion.
The engine oil level has exceeded the maxi-
mum level.
\1Check the engine oil level and have
any excess oil siphoned off at the
nearest refueling station
(\2page 190).
The engine or the catalytic converter
could be damaged.
\1If the oil level is correct, have the mal-
function rectified as soon as possible
at an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
:
The yellow engine oil level warning
lamp lights up repeatedly while
the vehicle is in motion.
The engine oil level indicator is malfunction-
ing.
\1Have the vehicle checked immediate-
ly at an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
/
The yellow coolant level warning
lamp lights up while the engine is
running.
The coolant level is too low.
Never run the engine if the coolant level is
too low.
The engine could overheat and be dam-
aged.
\1Stop at the earliest opportunity.
\1Switch off the engine to cool down.
\1Check the coolant level and add cool-
ant as necessary (\2page 191).
\1If you are having to add coolant fre-
quently, have the cooling system
checked at an authorized Sprinter
Dealer.
Problem
Possible cause / result
Suggested solutions
Page 278 of 393
277 Practical hints
What to do if ...
5
Problem
Possible cause / result
Suggested solutions
±
The yellow engine diagnostic in-
dicator lamp lights up or flashes
while the engine is running.
The fuel tank has run dry.
The engine may be running in emergency
mode.
\1Refuel at the nearest refueling sta-
tion.
\1On vehicles with a diesel engine:
Bleed the fuel system (\2page 318).
\1Start the engine three to four times af-
ter refueling. Emergency mode will be
canceled. You do not need to have
your vehicle checked.
There is a malfunction:
\4in the fuel injection system
\4in the ignition system
1
\4in the exhaust system.
The emission limit values may be exceeded
and the engine may be running in emergency
mode.
Engine power output may be reduced.
\1Have the vehicle checked immediate-
ly at an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
1 Only vehicles with a gasoline engine.
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280 Practical hintsWhat to do if ...
5
Problem
Possible cause / result
Suggested solutions
/
The yellow water separator indi-
cator lamp
1 lights up while the
ignition is on.
1 Only vehicles with a diesel engine.
The water that has collected in the water sep-
arator has reached the maximum level.
\1Drain the water separator
(\2page 317).
\1Have the water separator drained at
an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
W
The yellow washer fluid level in-
dicator lamp for the windshield
washer / headlamp cleaning sys-
tem lights up after the engine is
started or while the vehicle is in
motion.
The windshield washer fluid level is too low.
\1Check the fluid level in the reservoir
and add windshield washer fluid if
necessary (\2page 193).
<
The red seat belt telltale lights up
for approximately 6 seconds
when the ignition is switched on.
A signal also sounds.
The telltale reminds you to fasten your seat
belt.
\1Fasten your seat belt.
.
The yellow bulb indicator lamp
lights up while the ignition is on.
One of the bulbs of the exterior lighting or on
the trailer is malfunctioning.
\1Have the malfunction rectified as
soon as possible at an authorized
Sprinter Dealer.
9
The yellow “door open” indicator
lamp lights up while the vehicle
is in motion.
You are already driving at walking pace, even
though not all the doors or the hood are
closed.
\1Close the doors or the hood.