2008 MERCEDES-BENZ R-CLASS MPV ignition

Troubleshooting
288 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 76) in the ignition lock immedi-
ately 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.
The batteries in the vehicle key or
the KEYLESS GO key
* are dis-
charged. X
Unlock the vehicle using the emergency key element
(Y page 302).
X Open the tailgate (Y page 71).
X Manually unlock the fuel filler flap via the emergency release
(Y page 303). The fuel filler flap is released, but
the opening mechanism is jam-
med. X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Practical advice
* optional
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Troubleshooting
289Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
The fuel tank of a vehicle with a
diesel engine has been run com-
pletely dry and 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 76) 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
290 Engine
Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
The engine will not start. You can
hear the starter motor operating. R
There is a malfunction in the
engine electronics.
R There is a malfunction in the
fuel supply. X
Turn the key back to position 0(Y page 76)in the ignition lock
before the next starting attempt.
X Try to start the engine again (Y page 110). When doing so, remem-
ber 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 289).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 329).
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
291Problem 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
Only 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. You also
hear a warning signal. 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 223). 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. The engine does not switch off. The ignition lock is faulty. X
Open the fuse box in the engine compartment ( Ypage 334).
X Remove fuse 120 using the fuse extractor.
The engine stops.
If you wish to start the engine again:
X Replace the fuse. Practical advice
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Troubleshooting
292 Automatic transmission
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
immediately. The acceleration ability is deteri-
orating.
The transmission no longer
changes gear. The transmission is in emergency
mode.
It is only possible to shift into
2nd
gear and reverse gear. X
Stop the vehicle.
X Move the selector lever to P.
X Turn the key to position 0(Y page 76) in the ignition lock.
X Wait at least 10 seconds before restarting the engine.
X Move the selector lever to position Dor R.
If D is selected, the transmission shifts into 2ndgear; if Ris selec-
ted, the transmission shifts into reverse gear.
X Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist workshop
immediately. Practical advice
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Troubleshooting
293Parktronic*
Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
Only 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 ( Ypage 247).
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
294 Headlamps and turn signals
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. 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
299Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
The vehicle cannot be started
using the KEYLESS GO key and
the KEYLESS GO button. The KEY-
LESS GO key is in the vehicle. A door is open. The key can there-
fore not be detected as easily. X
Close the door and try to start the vehicle again. You did not depress the brake
when starting the engine. X
Depress the brake and press the KEYLESS GO button. There is interference from a pow-
erful source of radio waves. X
Start your vehicle using the KEYLESS GO key in the ignition lock. You have lost the KEYLESS GO
key. X
Have the KEYLESS GO 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. Trailer towing*
Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
The ball coupling cannot be
locked.
The key cannot be removed from
the ball coupling. G
Risk of accident
The ball coupling is dirty.
The trailer coupling is damaged. X
Remove the ball coupling and clean it (Y page 248). If the ball cou-
pling still cannot be locked, remove the ball coupling. It must no
longer be used to tow a trailer, as safe operation is not guaranteed.
X Have the entire trailer coupling checked at a qualified specialist
workshop. Practical advice
* optional
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