key MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS HATCHBACK 2008 Repair Manual

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
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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Troubleshooting
240 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 tow hitch is damaged. X
Remove the ball coupling and clean it (Y page 196). Ifthe 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 tow hitch checked at a qualified specialist
workshop. Parking up the vehicle
Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
The vehicle is to be left parked up
for longer than six weeks. Damage resulting from non-use
may occur if the vehicle is parked
up for long periods. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop and seek advice.
X Disconnect the battery ( Ypage 265). 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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Locking/unlocking in an emergency
242
X
Turn the emergency key element back and
remove it.
X Pull the door handle again. Locking the vehicle
If the vehicle can no longer be locked cen-
trally with the key:
5-door X
Close the front-passenger door, the rear
door on the front-passenger side and the
tailgate.
X Open the driver’s door and the rear door on
the driver’s side.
X Press the locking button on the driver’s
door (Y page 61).
The locking knobs in the front-passenger
door and in the rear doors drop down.
X Press the locking knobs in the front-
passenger and rear doors down manually,
if necessary.
X Close the driver's door from the outside.
X Press down the locking knob in the driver's
door by reaching through the open rear
door. i
Make sure that you have the key with you
and have not left it in the vehicle.
X Close the rear door on the driver’s side.
The vehicle is locked.
3-door X
Close the front-passenger door.
X Open the driver's door and the tailgate.
X Press the locking button on the driver’s
door (Y page 61).
The locking knob in the front-passenger
door moves down.
X Press down the locking knob manually, if
necessary.
X Close the driver's door from the outside.
X Press down the locking knob in the driver's
door by reaching through the open tailgate.
i Make sure that you have the key with you
and have not left it in the vehicle.
X Close the tailgate.
The vehicle is locked. Emergency fuel filler flap release
G
Risk of injury
The corners of the vehicle walls may be
sharp-edged. You could injure yourself
while carrying out an emergency release of
the fuel filler flap. Avoid contact with the
edges of the vehicle walls.
The emergency release is located on the
right-hand side of the luggage compartment,
behind the side trim panel when viewed in the
direction of travel.
X Open the tailgate.
X Open the cover on the right-hand side of
the luggage compartment (Y page 161). 1
Emergency release Practical advice
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Changing the batteries
244 Changing the batteries
Notes
It is advisable to have the batteries replaced
at a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. at a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. G
Risk of poisoning
Batteries contain toxic and caustic sub-
stances. For this reason, keep batteries
away from children.
If a battery is swallowed, consult a doctor
immediately. H
Environmental note
Do not dispose of batteries with the house-
hold rubbish, as they contain highly toxic
substances.
Take discharged batteries to a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre, or to a special collection
point for old batteries. Key
Checking the batteries X
Press the jork button.
The batteries are in order if the battery
charge indicator lamp lights up briefly.
Changing the batteries You require two CR 2025 3 V cell batteries.
X
Remove the emergency key element from
the key (Y page 241). 1
Emergency key element
2 To release the battery tray
3 To pull out the battery tray
4 Battery tray X
Using emergency key element 1, press
the grey release catch in the opening in the
direction of arrow 2.
Battery tray 4is released.
X Pull battery tray 4out of the key in the
direction of arrow 3. X
Remove old batteries 1from the battery
tray.
X Insert the new batteries underneath con-
tact spring 2with the positive terminal
facing upwards. Use a lint-free cloth to do
so.
X Push the battery tray back into the key
housing until the battery tray engages.
X Check the function of all key buttons on the
vehicle. Practical advice
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Replacing the wiper blades
251Replacing the wiper blades
Windscreen wiper blades
G
Risk of accident
The windscreen will not longer be properly
wiped if the wiper blades are worn. This
could prevent you from observing the traffic
conditions, thereby causing an accident.
Replace the wiper blades twice a year, ide-
ally in spring and autumn. G
Risk of accident
The wiper arms could start moving and
cause an injury if you leave the windscreen
wipers switched on.
Remove the key from the ignition lock
before replacing the wiper blades.
! Make sure that you touch only the wiper
arm of the windscreen wiper to avoid dam-
aging the windscreen wiper blades.
Removing X
Remove the key from the ignition lock.
X Fold the wiper arm away from the wind-
screen. X
Press both release clips 2.
X Fold wiper blade 1in the direction of
arrow 3away from wiper arm 4.
X Remove wiper blade 1in the direction of
the arrow 5.
Fitting X
Position the new wiper blade 1with
recess 6on lug 5.
X Fold wiper blade 1in the direction of
arrow 3onto the wiper arm, until retaining
clips 2engage in bracket 4.
X Make sure that wiper blade 1is seated
correctly.
X Fold the wiper arm back onto the wind-
screen. Rear window wiper blade
G
Risk of injury
The wiper arm could be set in motion and
injure you if the windscreen wipers are
switched on.
Remove the key from the ignition lock
before replacing the wiper blade. Practical advice
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