2008 MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS HATCHBACK ignition

Troubleshooting
231Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
You hear a warning tone.
Vehicles with AUTOTRONIC*:
You have:
R
switched off the engine
R opened the driver's door
R not moved the selector lever to
position P X
Move the selector lever to P.Accident
Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
Fuel is leaking from the vehicle.
G
Risk of fire
The fuel line or the fuel tank has
been damaged. The leaking fuel
creates a risk of fire or explosion. X
Switch off the ignition immediatel y.
X Remove the ignition key.
Do not restart the engine under any circumstances. The leaking fuel
creates a risk of fire or explosion.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. You are unable to determine the
extent of the damage. X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop. You cannot detect any damage. X
Start the engine as normal. Practical advice
* optional
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,V ersion: 2.10.6
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Troubleshooting
232 Fuel and fuel tank
Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
Fuel is leaking from the vehicle.
G
Risk of explosion or fire
The fuel line or the fuel tank is
defective. X
Turn the key to position 0(Y page 62) in the ignition lock immedi-
atel y and remove it.
X Do not restart the engine under any circumstances.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The fuel filler flap cannot be
opened. The fuel filler flap is not released. X
Unlock the vehicle (Y page 241).
or
X Unlock the vehicle manually (Y page 242). The opening mechanism is jam-
med. X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The fuel tank in a diesel engine
vehicle has been run completely
dry and the engine will not start. There is air in the fuel system. X
Refuel the vehicle.
X Switch on the ignition for approximately 10 seconds (key in posi-
tion 2(Y page 62) in the ignition lock).
X Start the engine continuously for up to 40 seconds until it runs
smoothly.
The fuel system is now free of air.
If the engine does not start:
X Wait two minutes.
X Repeat the starting procedure for up to 40 seconds.
If the engine still does not start:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Practical advice
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Troubleshooting
233Engine
Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
The engine will not start. You can
hear the starter motor operating. R
The engine electronics system
is malfunctioning.
R There is a malfunction in the
fuel supply.
R The on-board voltage is too low
because the starter batter y is
too weak or discharged. X
Turn the key back to position 0(Y page 62) in the ignition lock
before the next starting attempt.
X Try to start the engine again (Y page 87). When doing so, remember
that excessively long and frequent attempts to start the engine will
drain the battery.
If the engine does not start after several attempts:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The engine will not start. You can
hear the starter motor operating.
The reserve fuel warning lamp is
on and the fuel gauge shows 0. The fuel tank has been run dry. X
Refuel the vehicle.
X Bleed the fuel system (Y page 232).The engine will not start. You can-
not hear the starter motor oper-
ating. The on-board voltage is too low
because the starter battery is too
weak or discharged. X
Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 266).
If the engine does not start despite attempting to jump-start it:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The starter motor was exposed to
a thermal load that was too high. X
Allow the starter motor to cool down for approximately two
minutes.
X Try to start the engine again.
If the engine still does not start:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. 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
236 Parktronic*
Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
Onl
y the red segments in the
Parktronic warning display are lit.
You also hear a warning tone for
approximately two seconds.
Parktronic is deactivated after
approximately 20 seconds and
the indicator lamp in the Park-
tronic button lights up. Parktronic has malfunctioned
and has switched itself off. X
If problems persist, have Parktronic checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. Only the red segments in the
Parktronic warning display are lit.
Parktronic is deactivated after
approximately 20 seconds. The Parktronic sensors are dirty
or there is interference. X
Clean the Parktronic sensors (Y page 196).
X Switch the ignition back on. Only the red segments in the
Parktronic warning display are lit.
Parktronic is deactivated after
approximately 20 seconds. The problem may be caused by an
external source of radio or ultra-
sound waves. X
See if Parktronic functions in a different location. Practical advice
* optional
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Troubleshooting
237Headlamps
Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
The headlamps or the turn signals
in the exterior mirrors are misted
up on the inside. Air humidity is very high. X
Drive with the headlamps switched on.
The headlamps are demisted after a short distance. The headlamp housing is not
sealed and moisture has been
able to enter. X
Have the headlamps checked at a qualified specialist workshop. Windscreen wipers
Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
The windscreen wipers are jam-
med. Leaves or snow, for example, may
be obstructing the windscreen
wiper movement. The wiper
motor has been deactivated. X
For safety reasons, you should remove the key from the ignition
lock.
X Remove the cause of the obstruction.
X Switch the windscreen wipers back on. The windscreen wipers fail com-
pletely.
G
Risk of accident
The windscreen wiper drive is
malfunctioning. X
Select another wiper speed on the combination switch.
X Have the windscreen wipers checked at a qualified specialist work-
shop. Practical advice
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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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Locking/unlocking in an emergency
241Locking/unlocking in an emergency
Emergency key
If the vehicle can no longer be locked or
unlocked with the key, use the emergency
key element.
If you use the emergency key element to
unlock and open the driver's door, the anti-
theft alarm system* will be triggered
(Y page 57).
There are several ways to turn off the alarm:
X Press the korj button on the key.
or
X Insert the key into the ignition lock.
If you unlock the vehicle using the emergency
key element, the fuel filler flap will not be
unlocked automatically.
X To unlock the fuel filler flap: insert the
key in the ignition lock. Releasing and removing the emergency
key element X
Push release catch 1in the direction of
the arrow and at the same time remove
emergency key element 2from the key. Unlocking the vehicle
If the vehicle can no longer be unlocked cen-
trally with the key:
X Remove the emergency key element from
the key (Y page 241). $
To unlock
X Insert the emergency key element into the
lock of the driver's door as far as it will go.
X Firmly turn the emergency key element
anti-clockwise as far as it will go to position
$ and hold it in this position.
i On right-hand-drive vehicles, turn the
emergency key element clockwise.
X Pull the door handle firmly.
The locking knob pops up.
The door is unlocked. Practical advice
* optional
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