2009 MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS SALOON check engine

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X
X Solutions j Check
trailer
hitch lock
G
Risk of accident
The trailer tow hitch* is not correctly engaged. A warning tone
also sounds.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely, paying attention to
road and traffic conditions.
X Engage the ball coupling in the end position (Y page 234).À Attention
Assist:
Time for
a break? Based on specific criteria, ATTENTION ASSIST has deter-
mined that your concentration has waned. A warning tone
also sounds.
X
If necessary, take a break.
During long journeys, take regular breaks in good time so you
get enough rest. À Attention
Assist
inopera‐
tive ATTENTION ASSIST is inoperative.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. # The battery is not being charged. A warning tone also sounds.
Possible causes are:
R
a faulty alternator
R a torn poly-V-belt
R a malfunction in the electronics
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely, paying attention to
road and traffic conditions and leave the engine running.
X Open the bonnet.
X Check whether the poly-V-belt is torn.
If the poly-V-belt is torn:
! Do not continue driving. The engine could otherwise over-
heat.
X Switch off the engine.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
If the poly-V-belt is OK:
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. # Check
brake wear The brake pads/linings have reached their wear limit.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Display
messages
265Practical advice
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Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X
X Solutions J Brake
immedi‐
ately A malfunction has occurred while the HOLD function or Dis-
tronic Plus* is active.
or
Vehicles with manual transmission: with the HOLD function
activated, you have either:
R
opened the driver's door and released the seat belt or
R switched off the engine or
R opened the bonnet
A tone may also sound at regular intervals. The tone becomes
louder if you attempt to lock the vehicle.
You cannot start the engine.
X Paying attention to the traffic situation, immediately
depress the brake pedal firmly and hold until the display
message disappears.
X Prevent the vehicle from rolling away before you leave it
(Y page 107).
You can restart the engine. ? Coolant
Stop vehi‐
cle
Switch
engine off The coolant is too hot. In addition, the
?warning lamp in
the instrument cluster lights up and a warning tone sounds.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the
engine, paying attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Make sure that the air supply to the radiator is not blocked,
e.g. by slush.
X Wait until the display message disappears before restarting
the engine. Otherwise, there is a risk of engine damage.
X Observe the coolant temperature gauge.
X If the coolant temperature increases again, visit a qualified
specialist workshop immediately. The poly-V-belt may have torn. A warning tone also sounds.
X
Pull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the
engine, paying attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Check the poly-V-belt.
X If the poly-V-belt is not damaged: do not start the engine
again until the display message goes out. Otherwise, there
is a risk of engine damage.
X If the poly-V-belt is torn: do not continue driving. Consult
a qualified specialist workshop. Display
messages
267Practical advice
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Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X
X Solutions ? The engine fan is faulty.
X
If the coolant temperature is less than 120 †, you can
continue driving to the nearest qualified specialist work-
shop.
X Avoid subjecting the engine to heavy loads (e.g. driving in
mountainous terrain) and stop-and-go driving. + Top up
coolant
See Own‐
er's Man‐
ual The coolant level is too low.
X
Top up the coolant, observing the warning notes before
doing so (Y page 221).
X Have the engine cooling system checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop if the coolant needs topping up more often
than usual. ¨ Vehicle
rising
Vehicles with AIRMATIC*: your vehicle is adjusting to the level
you have selected.
¨ Vehicle
rising
Please
wait
Vehicles with AIRMATIC*: the vehicle level is too low when
stationary. A warning tone also sounds.
X
Remain stationary.
X Wait until the display message disappears.
The vehicle has reached the level required for driving. ¨ STOP vehi‐
cle Vehi‐
cle too
low
G
Risk of accident
AIRMATIC* is faulty. A warning tone also sounds.
X Do not exceed a maximum speed of 80 km/h.
X Make only slight steering movements. Otherwise, the front
wing or the tyres could be damaged when you drive on.
X Listen for scraping sounds.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle, paying attention to road and
traffic conditions, and select a higher vehicle level.
The vehicle may be raised, depending on the type of mal-
function.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. ¨ Malfunc‐
tion
G
Risk of accident
The AIRMATIC* function is restricted. The vehicle's handling
characteristics may be affected.
X Do not exceed a maximum speed of 80 km/h.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 268
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messagesPractical advice
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Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X
X Solutions ! Clean the
fuel fil‐
ter There is water in the fuel filter. The water must be drained
off
41
.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. ¯ Refill
AdBlue at
workshop
See Own‐
er's Man‐
ual
The AdBlue
®
level has fallen below the reserve range. A warn-
ing tone also sounds.
X Have the AdBlue ®
reservoir filled as soon as possible at a
qualified specialist workshop. ¯ Refill
AdBlue at
workshop
No start
in ..km
The AdBlue
®
level is only sufficient for the indicated route. A
warning tone also sounds.
X Have the AdBlue ®
reservoir filled as soon as possible at a
qualified specialist workshop. ¯ Refill
AdBlue at
workshop
Eng.
start not
possible
The AdBlue
®
tank is empty. A warning tone also sounds. You
can no longer start the engine.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop immediately. ¯ Check
AdBlue
See Own‐
er's Man‐
ual
The AdBlue
®
system is malfunctioning. A warning tone also
sounds.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. ¯ AdBlue
No start
in ..km
The AdBlue
®
system is malfunctioning. A warning tone also
sounds.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately. ¯ AdBlue
Eng.
start not
possible
The AdBlue
®
system is malfunctioning. A warning tone also
sounds. You can no longer start the engine.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop immediately. 41
Only for certain countries. Display
messages
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Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X
X Solutions b Malfunc‐
tion See
Owner's
Manual The exterior lighting is faulty.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Vehicles with trailer coupling*: a fuse may have blown.
X
Check the fuses (Y page 328).
X If necessary, replace the blown fuse. Observe the warning
notes.
If the display message continues to be shown:
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. ¸ Replace
air
cleaner
The engine air filter is dirty and must be replaced
42
.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 4 Check
eng. oil
lev. when
next refu‐
elling The engine oil level has dropped to a critical level. A warning
tone also sounds.
X
Check the engine oil level ( Ypage 220).
X If necessary, top up the engine oil.
X Have the engine checked for leaks if the engine oil needs
topping up more often than usual. + Change
key bat‐
teries The key batteries are discharged.
X
Change the batteries ( Ypage 304). + Key not
detected
(red display
message)
The KEYLESS GO key* is not in the vehicle. A warning tone
also sounds.
If you switch off the engine, you can no longer centrally lock
the vehicle and no longer start the engine.
X
Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible,
paying attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Locate the KEYLESS GO key*. The KEYLESS GO key* is not detected while driving because
a powerful radio transmitter is causing interference. A warn-
ing tone also sounds.
X
Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible,
paying attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Remove the Start/Stop button* from the ignition
lock (Y page 75).
X Insert the key into the ignition lock and turn it to the desired
position. 42
Only for certain vehicles. 274
Display
messagesPractical advice
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Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X
X Solutions h Tyre pres‐
sure Cau‐
tion,
tyre malf.
G
Risk of accident
Vehicles with the tyre pressure monitor*: the pressure is
dropping rapidly in one or more of the tyres. A warning tone
also sounds.
X Stop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or
braking manoeuvres. Pay attention to traffic conditions as
you do so.
X Repair the faulty tyre or replace the wheel ( Ypage 309). h Tyre pres‐
sure
Check
tyre(s)
G
Risk of accident
Vehicles with tyre pressure monitor*: the tyre pressure has
dropped significantly in one or more of the tyres. A warning
tone also sounds.
X Stop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or
braking manoeuvres. Pay attention to traffic conditions as
you do so.
X Correct the tyre pressure (Y page 225).
X If necessary, repair any defective tyres or change the wheel
(Y page 309). & inopera‐
tive Bat‐
tery low The on-board voltage is too low. The auxiliary heating/venti-
lation* has switched off or cannot be switched on.
X
Drive for a longer distance.
The battery is being charged. The auxiliary heating/venti-
lation *can be reactivated as soon as there is sufficient on-
board voltage. & inopera‐
tive
Refuel
vehicle The fuel level in the fuel tank is too low. The auxiliary heat-
ing* cannot be switched on.
X
Refuel at the nearest filling station. & inopera‐
tive See
Owner's
Man.
The auxiliary heating
*is temporarily malfunctioning or is
defective.
X When the vehicle is on a level surface and the engine has
cooled down, make up to four attempts to switch on the
auxiliary heating*, waiting several minutes between each
attempt.
X If the auxiliary heating* does not switch on, visit a qualified
specialist workshop. 276
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Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
X
X Solutions ?
The red coolant
warning lamp
comes on while
the engine is
running. A warn-
ing tone also
sounds. The coolant temperature has exceeded 130 †. The airflow to the
radiator may be blocked or the coolant level may be too low.
The engine is not being cooled sufficiently and may be damaged.
X
Pull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the engine,
paying attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Allow the engine and coolant to cool.
X Make sure that the air supply to the radiator is not blocked, e.g.
by slush.
X Check the coolant level (Y page 221). Observe the warning
notes.
X If necessary, top up the coolant.
X Have the engine cooling system checked at a qualified specialist
workshop if the coolant needs topping up more often than usual.
If the coolant level is correct, the electric radiator fan may be
faulty.
X Do not continue driving under any circumstances.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. ;
The yellow
engine diagnos-
tics warning
lamp lights up
while the engine
is running. 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 running. 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 vehicles 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
specialist workshop. Troubleshooting
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Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
X XSolutions Vehicles with a petrol
engine:
The engine is not run-
ning smoothly and is
misfiring. There is a malfunction in the engine electronics or a mechanical
component of the engine control unit.
X
Only depress the accelerator pedal slightly.
X Have the cause rectified immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop.
Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic con-
verter and damage it. The coolant tempera-
ture gauge shows a
value above 120 †.
The coolant warning
lamp may also light up
and a warning tone may
sound (Y
page 117). The coolant level is too low. The coolant is too hot and the engine
is no longer being cooled sufficiently.
X
Stop as soon as possible and allow the engine and the coolant
to cool down.
X Check the coolant level (Y page 221). 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 †, 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. 292
TroubleshootingPractical advice
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