lights MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS SALOON 2009 Repair Manual

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X
X Solutions 6 Rear
centre
malfunc‐
tion Con‐
sult work‐
shop
G
Risk of injury
SRS has malfunctioned at the rear centre*. The 6warning
lamp also lights up in the instrument cluster.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 6 Left
windowbag
malfunc‐
tion Con‐
sult work‐
shop
or
Right
windowbag
malfunc‐
tion Con‐
sult work‐
shop
G
Risk of injury
There is a malfunction in the left-hand or right-hand window-
bag. The 6warning lamp also lights up in the instrument
cluster.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. C There is only a small amount of fuel in the fuel tank.
X
Refuel at the nearest filling station. 8 Reserve
fuel level The fuel level has fallen below the reserve range. The opera-
tion of the auxiliary heating* can no longer be guaranteed.
X
Refuel at the nearest filling station. ¥ Top up
washer
fluid The washer fluid level in the washer fluid reservoir has drop-
ped below the minimum.
X
Top up the windscreen washer fluid (Y page 222).Troubleshooting
Points to remember
G
Risk of accident and injury
The operating safety of the vehicle can be compromised if maintenance work is carried out
incorrectly. This could cause you to lose control of the vehicle and cause an accident. The safety
systems may also not be able to protect you or others as they are designed to do.
Always have maintenance work carried out at a qualified specialist workshop. The qualified spe-
cialist workshop must have the necessary specialist knowledge and tools to carry out the work
required. Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre for this
purpose. In particular, work relevant to safety or on safety-related systems must be carried out
at a qualified specialist workshop. 278
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Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
X
X Solutions Vehicles with the ECO
Start/Stop function:
you have started the
engine using the key.
The indicator lamp in
the ECO Start/Stop
function button does
not light up or goes out
again after a short time. You have deactivated the ECO Start/Stop function.
X
Activate the ECO Start/Stop function again (Y page 109). The ECO Start/Stop function is not available due to a fault.
X If the indicator lamp fails persistently, consult a qualified work-
shop. Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
X
X Solutions !
The yellow ABS
warning lamp is
lit while the
engine is run-
ning. G
Risk of accident
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) is deactivated due to a fault. For this
reason, ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program), BAS (Brake Assist),
BAS PLUS* (Brake Assist PLUS), PRE-SAFE ®
, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake*,
the HOLD function, hill start assist and ESP ®
trailer stabilisation
are also deactivated, for example.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. Therefore, the wheels could lock if you
brake hard.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
X Observe the additional messages in the multi-function display
(Y page 251).
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. ·
The red distance
warning lamp*
lights up while
the vehicle is in
motion. G
Risk of accident
The distance to the vehicle in front is too small for the speed
selected.
X Increase the distance. ·
The red distance
warning lamp*
lights up while
the vehicle is in
motion. A warn-
ing tone also
sounds. G
Risk of accident
You are approaching a vehicle in front at too great a speed
X Be prepared to brake immediately.
X Pay careful attention to the traffic situation. You may have to
brake or take evasive action. Troubleshooting
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Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
X XSolutions ·
The red distance
warning lamp*
lights up while
the vehicle is in
motion. A warn-
ing tone also
sounds. G
Risk of accident
Distronic Plus* has detected a stationary obstacle in your line of
travel. The vehicle will not be braked automatically.
X Be prepared to brake immediately.
X Pay careful attention to the traffic situation. You may have to
brake or take evasive action. ä
å
!
The yellow ESP
®
and ESP ®
OFF
warning lamps
and the yellow
ABS warning
lamp are lit while
the engine is
running. G
Risk of accident
ABS and ESP ®
are faulty. Other systems, e.g. BAS, BAS PLUS*,
PRE-SAFE ®
, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake*, the HOLD function, hill start
assist and ESP ®
trailer stabilisation, are also unavailable due to a
malfunction. The brake system continues to function normally, but
without the functions listed above. Therefore, the wheels could
lock if you brake hard, for example.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
X Observe the additional messages in the multi-function display
(Y page 251).
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. ä
The yellow ESP ®
warning lamp
flashes while the
vehicle is in
motion. G
Risk of accident
ESP ®
or traction control has intervened because there is a risk of
skidding or at least one wheel has started to spin.
Cruise control or Distronic Plus* is deactivated.
X Only depress the accelerator pedal as far as necessary when
pulling away.
X Release the accelerator pedal while you are driving.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
.
Exceptions: all models, except E 63 AMG (Y page 61), E 63 AMG
(Y page 62). å
The yellow ESP ®
OFF warning
lamp is lit while
the engine is
running. G
Risk of accident
ESP ®
and ESP ®
trailer stabilisation are deactivated. ESP ®
will not
stabilise the vehicle if it starts to skid or if a wheel starts to spin.
X Reactivate ESP ®
.
Exceptions: all models, except E 63 AMG (Y page 61), E 63 AMG
(Y page 62).
X Adapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions. 282
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Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
X
X Solutions ì
E 63 AMG:
The yellow ESP ®
Sport warning
lamp lights up
while the engine
is running. G
Risk of accident
ESP ®
Sport is activated. ESP ®
only stabilises the vehicle in
extreme situations. ESP ®
intervention may not be able to provide
sufficient assistance in such situations and the vehicle may start
to skid.
X Reactivate ESP ®
.
Exceptions: (Y page 62) ä
å
The yellow ESP
®
and ESP ®
OFF
warning lamps
are lit while the
engine is run-
ning. G
Risk of accident
ESP ®
, BAS, BAS PLUS*, PRE-SAFE ®
, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake*, the
HOLD function, hill start assist, the adaptive brake lights and
ESP ®
trailer stabilisation are unavailable due to a malfunction.
ESP ®
will not stabilise the vehicle if it starts to skid or if a wheel
starts to spin.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
X Observe the additional messages in the multi-function display
(Y page 251).
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 6
The red SRS
warning lamp is
lit while the
engine is run-
ning. G
Risk of injury
There is a malfunction in the restraint system. The airbags or belt
tensioners may either be triggered unintentionally or, in the event
of an accident, not be triggered at all.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately. J
The yellow
reserve fuel
warning lamp
lights up while
the engine is
running. G
Risk of accident
The brake system is malfunctioning and the braking characteris-
tics may be affected.
X If the multi-function display shows a display message, please
observe this (Y page 251).
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Troubleshooting
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Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
X XSolutions J
The red brake
system warning
lamp comes on
while the vehicle
is moving. A
warning tone
also sounds. You are driving with the parking brake applied.
X
Release the parking brake.
The warning lamp goes out and the warning tone ceases. J
The red brake
system warning
lamp comes on
while the engine
is running. G
Risk of accident
The brake boosting effect is malfunctioning and the braking char-
acteristics may be affected.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions. Do not continue driving
under any circumstances.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
X Observe the additional messages in the multi-function display
(Y page 251). J
The red brake
system warning
lamp comes on
while the engine
is running. A
warning tone
also sounds. G
Risk of accident
There is insufficient brake fluid in the fluid reservoir.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions. Do not continue driving
under any circumstances.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
X Observe the additional messages in the multi-function display
(Y page 251).
Do not top up the brake fluid. This will not rectify the fault. ?
The red coolant
warning lamp
lights up while
the engine is
running and the
coolant temper-
ature gauge is at
the start of the
scale. The temperature sensor for the coolant temperature gauge is
faulty.
The coolant temperature is no longer being monitored. There is a
risk of engine damage if the coolant temperature is too high.
X
Pull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the engine,
paying attention to road and traffic conditions. Do not continue
driving under any circumstances.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. 284
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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 h
The yellow tyre
pressure moni-
tor* warning
lamp is on. G
Risk of accident
The tyre pressure monitor* has detected a sudden or significant
pressure loss in at least one of the tyres.
X Stop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking
manoeuvres. Pay attention to traffic conditions as you do so.
X Observe the additional messages in the multi-function display
(Y page 251). 7
The red seat belt
warning lamp
lights up for six
seconds after
the engine is
started 43
. The seat belt warning lamp reminds the driver and front passenger
to fasten their seat belts.
X
Fasten your seat belt (Y page 89).7
After the engine
starts, a warning
tone sounds for
up to six sec-
onds43
. G
Risk of injury
The driver's seat belt is not fastened.
X Fasten your seat belt (Y page 89).
The warning tone ceases. 7
The red seat belt
warning lamp
lights up after
the engine
starts, as soon
as the driver's
door or the
front-passenger
door is closed. G
Risk of injury
The driver or front passenger has not fastened their seat belt.
X Fasten your seat belt (Y page 89).
The warning lamp goes out. G
Risk of injury
There are objects on the front-passenger seat.
X Remove the objects from the front-passenger seat and stow
them safely.
The warning lamp goes out. 43
Only for certain countries. 286
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Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
X
X Solutions 7
The red seat belt
warning lamp
flashes and an
intermittent
audible warning
sounds. G
Risk of injury
The driver or front passenger has not fastened their seat belt. At
the same time, you are driving faster than 25 km/ho r have briefly
driven faster than 25 km/h.
X Fasten your seat belt (Y page 89).
The warning lamp goes out and the intermittent audible warning
ceases. G
Risk of injury
There are objects on the front-passenger seat. At the same time,
you are driving faster than 25 km/h or have briefly driven faster
than 25 km/h.
X Remove the objects from the front-passenger seat and stow
them safely.
The warning lamp goes out and the intermittent audible warning
ceases. 8
The yellow
reserve fuel
warning lamp
lights up while
the engine is
running. The fuel level has fallen below the reserve range. The operation of
the auxiliary heating* can no longer be guaranteed.
X
Refuel at the nearest filling station. Warning tones
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
X
X Solutions The anti-theft warning
alarm* is triggered. You have opened the vehicle with the anti-theft alarm system still
activated*.
X Switch off the alarm (Y page 65). You hear a warning
tone. A message appears in the multi-function display.
X
See the explanations for the display message (Y page 251). You are driving with the parking brake applied.
X
Release the parking brake. The lights are still switched on when you leave the vehicle.
X
Turn the light switch to c. Troubleshooting
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Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
X XSolutions G
Risk of injury
The driver or front passenger has not fastened their seat belt.
X Fasten your seat belt (Y page 89).You hear a continuous
tone.
Vehicles without DIRECT SELECT gearshift*:
You have switched the engine off, opened the driver's door and
released the seat belt, or opened the bonnet, with the HOLD func-
tion or Distronic Plus* activated.
X
Deactivate the HOLD function (Y page 151).
or
X Deactivate Distronic Plus* (Y page 146).You hear a warning
tone.
The red distance warning lamp*
·lights up while the vehicle
is in motion.
X Observe the explanations for the distance warning lamp*
(Y page 281). You hear a dual warning
tone.
The red Blind Spot Assist* warning lamp
9flashes in one of
the exterior mirrors.
X Observe the explanations for the Blind Spot Assist* warning
lamp (Y page 280). Accident
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
X XSolutions 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 immediately.
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. 288
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Engine
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
X
X Solutions The engine will not
start.
The HOLD function or Distronic Plus* is activated.
X
Switch off HOLD (Y page 151) or Distronic Plus (Y page 146).
X Try to start the engine again. The engine will not
start. You can hear the
starter motor operat-
ing. R
There is a malfunction in the engine electronics.
R There is a malfunction in the fuel supply.
R The on-board voltage is too low because the starter battery is
too weak or discharged.
X Before the next start attempt, turn the key back to position 0
(Y page 75) in the ignition lock or press the Start/Stop but-
ton* until all the indicator lights in the instrument cluster have
gone out.
X Try to start the engine again (Y page 103). 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 operat-
ing. The reserve fuel
warning lamp is on and
the fuel gauge
shows
0. The fuel tank has been run dry.
X
Refuel the vehicle. The engine will not
start. You cannot hear
the starter motor. The on-board voltage is too low because the starter battery is too
weak or discharged.
X
Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 323).
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. Troubleshooting
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