2008 MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS HATCHBACK check engine light

Display
messages 219Display messages Possible cause/consequence Possible solution
. Reversing lamp
left
or
Reversing lamp
right Vehicles with lights and visibility pack-
age*: the left-hand or right-hand reversing
light is fa
ulty. X
Change the bulb (Y page 245). N Add 1.0 litreof
engine oil when
next refuelling Vehicles with a diesel engine: the oil level
is too low. X
Check the oil level (Y page 173).
X If necessary, top up the motor oil.
X Have the engine checked for leaks if the engine
oil needs topping up more often than usual. N Engine oil pres-
sure Stop car, turn
eng. off Vehicles with a petrol engine: the engine
oil pressure is too low. There is a risk of
engine damage. X
Stop in accordance with traffic conditions.
X Switch off the engine.
X Check the oil level (Y page 173).
X If necessary, top up the motor oil. N Eng. oil level
Check level Vehicles with a petrol engine: the oil level
is too low. X
Check the oil level (Y page 173).
X If necessary, top up the motor oil.
X Have the engine checked for leaks if the engine
oil needs topping up more often than usual. N Eng. oil level Stop
car, turn eng. off Vehicles with a diesel engine: the oil level
is too low. There is a risk of engine dam-
age. X
Stop in accordance with traffic conditions.
X Switch off the engine.
X Top up the engine oil and check the level
(Y page 173). Practical advice
* optional
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Troubleshooting
227Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
H
The red brake system
warning lamp comes on
while the engine is run-
ning. G
Risk of accident
There is insufficient brake fluid in
the fluid reservoir. X
Pull over and stop the vehicle safely, pa ying attention to road and
traffic conditions. Do not continue driving under any circumstan-
ces.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
X Observe the additional messages in the multi-function display
(Y page 202).
Do not top up the brake fluid. This will not rectify the fault. ±
The yellow engine diagnos-
tics warning lamp lights up
while the engine is run-
ning. Vehicles with a diesel engine: the
fuel tank has been run dry. X
Start the engine three to four times after refuelling.
Emergency running mode is cancelled. The vehicle need not be
checked. ±
The yellow engine diagnos-
tics warning lamp lights up
while the engine is run-
ning. There may be a fault, for example
R
in the engine management
R in the ignition system
R in the exhaust system
R in the ignition system (for vehi-
cles with petrol engines)
The emission limit values may be
exceeded and the engine can run
in emergency mode. X
Have the vehicle checked as soon as possible at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. Practical advice
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Troubleshooting
234 Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
Vehicles with a petrol engine:
The engine is not running
smoothly and is misfiring. There is a malfunction in the
engine electronics or a mechani-
cal component of the engine con-
trol unit. X
Onl y depress the accelerator pedal slightly.
X Have the cause rectified immediately at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic converter
and damage it. A coolant temperature of over
120 °C is displayed. The coolant
warning lamp may also be on and
a warning tone may sound
(Y page 97). The coolant level is too low. The
coolant is too hot and the engine
is no longer being cooled suffi-
ciently. X
Stop as soon as possible and allow the engine and the coolant to
cool down.
X Check the coolant level (Y page 175). Observe the warning notes
as you do so and top up the coolant if necessary. If the coolant level is correct, the
radiator fan may be faulty. The
coolant is too hot and the engine
is no longer being cooled suffi-
ciently. X
If the coolant temperature is less than 120 °C, you can continue
driving to the nearest qualified specialist workshop.
X Avoid heavy loads on the engine as you do so, e.g. driving on
mountain roads and stop/start driving. Practical advice
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Troubleshooting
235AUTOTRONIC*
Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
The transmission has problems
shifting gear The transmission is losing oil. X
Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist workshop
immediatel y. The acceleration ability is deteri-
orating.
The one-touch gearshifting is no
longer working.
The transmission no longer
changes gear. The transmission is in emergency
mode. X
Stop the vehicle.
X Move the selector lever to position P.
X Turn the key to position 0in the ignition lock.
X Wait at least 10 seconds before restarting the engine.
X Move the selector lever to position Dor R.
X Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist workshop
immediately. Practical advice
* optional
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Troubleshooting
239Key
Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
You cannot lock or unlock the
vehicle using the key. The key batteries are discharged
or nearl
y discharged. X
Point the tip of the key at the driver's door handle from close range
and try to unlock or lock the vehicle again.
If this does not work:
X Unlock the vehicle using the emergency key element
(Y page 241).
X Check the key batteries (Y page 244) and replace them if neces-
sary ( Ypage 244). The key is faulty. X
Unlock the vehicle using the emergency key element
(Y page 241).
X Have the key checked at a qualified specialist workshop. The battery charge indicator lamp
of the key does not go on during
the test. The key batteries are discharged. X
Change the batteries ( Ypage 244). You have lost a key. X
Have the key cancelled at a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
X Report the loss immediately to the vehicle insurers.
X If necessary, have the manual locks changed too. You have lost the emergency key
element. X
Report the loss immediately to the vehicle insurers.
X If necessary, have the manual locks changed too. The engine cannot be started
using the key. The steering lock is mechanically
blocked. X
Remove the key and reinsert it into the ignition lock. While doing
this, turn the steering wheel in both directions. Practical advice
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Changing the bulbs
247
i
Due to the location of the bulbs in the
front headlamps, it is best to have these
changed at a qualified specialist workshop,
e.g. a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
i Have the headlamp setting checked reg-
ularly at a qualified specialist workshop,
e.g. a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. Changing the front bulbs
Opening/closing the cover in the front
wheel arch X
To open: turn the front wheels inwards.
X Unscrew retaining screw 1.
X Fold the cover down. X
To close: fold the cover upwards.
X Screw in retaining screw 1.
Removing/fitting the washer fluid res-
ervoir You must remove the washer fluid reservoir
from the engine compartment before you can
replace the bulbs in the front left-hand head-
lamp. X
To remove: turn retaining screw 1anti-
clockwise.
X Remove washer fluid reservoir 2from
bracket 3.
X Put washer fluid reservoir 2to one side
and leave the lines and hoses connected.
Make sure that no washer fluid escapes. X
To fit: guide the lower retaining lug into the
rubber grommet on the longitudinal mem-
ber and fit washer fluid reservoir 2into
bracket 3.
X Turn retaining screw 1clockwise.
Replacing the bulbs in the dipped-beam
headlamp (halogen headlamps) X
Switch off the lights.
X Open the cover in the front wheel arch
(Y page 247).
X Open the bonnet.
X Left-hand headlamps: remove the washer
fluid reservoir (Y page 247).
X Press retaining lug :down and remove
housing cover 2.
X Pull connector =from bulb holder 4. Practical advice
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Jump-starting
267G
Risk of injury
There is a risk of acid burns when jump-
starting a vehicle due to the gases which
escape from the battery. Do not lean over
the battery while the engine is being jump-
started. G
Risk of explosion
Gases escaping from the battery during
jump-starting may cause minor explosions.
Avoid creating sparks. Keep naked flames
away from the battery, and do not smoke.
Comply with safety precautions and take
protective measures when handling batter-
ies. You will find these under "Battery" in
the index.
X Make sure that the two vehicles do not
touch.
X Apply the parking brake.
X Manual transmission: engage neutral.
X AUTOTRONIC*: move the DIRECT SELECT
selector lever to P.
X Switch off all electrical consumers.
X Open the bonnet (Y page 171). 1
Positive terminal of donor battery
2 Positive terminal on your vehicle
3 Negative terminal of donor battery
4 Negative terminal on your vehicle
X Open the battery cover (Y page 264).
X Connect positive terminal 2on your vehi-
cle to positive terminal 1of the donor bat-
tery using the jump lead, beginning with
your own battery.
X Start the engine of the donor vehicle and
run it at idling speed.
X Connect negative terminal 3of the donor
battery to negative terminal 4of your
vehicle's battery using the jump lead, con-
necting the jump lead to the donor battery
first.
X Start the engine. X
Electrical consumers can be switched on
again. Do not, however, switch on the lights
as this places too heavy a load on the bat-
tery.
X Remove the jump lead from earth
point 4and negative terminal 3first,
then from positive terminals 1and 2,
each time disconnecting from the battery
on your own vehicle first.
X Have the battery checked at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre. Practical advice
* optional
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