MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS SUV 2008 Owners Manual

Troubleshooting
218 Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
You hear a warning tone. Vehicles with automatic trans-
mission:
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
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Troubleshooting
219Fuel 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 0in the ignition lock immediatel 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 229). The opening mechanism is jam-
med. X
Release the fuel filler flap by hand (Y page 230).
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The fuel tank of a vehicle with a
diesel engine has been run com-
pletely dry. There is air in the fuel system. X
Refuel the vehicle.
X Switch on the ignition for approximately 10 seconds (key in posi-
tion 2in 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
220 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 0in the ignition lock before the next
starting attempt.
X Try to start the engine again (Y page 86). 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. Vehicles with a diesel engine:
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 219).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 251).
If the engine does not start despite attempting to jump-start it:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. 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. Practical advice
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Troubleshooting
221Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
A coolant temperature of over
120 † is displa
yed. The coolant
warning lamp may also be on and
a warning tone may sound
(Y page 96). 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 161). 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. Practical advice
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Troubleshooting
222 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
immediatel y. 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 0in 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. Ultrasonic reversing aid*
Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
When you engage the selector
lever into position
R, you will not
hear a warning tone and none of
the segments of the ultrasonic
reversing aid will light up. You have a trailer connected.
You have an adapter plug inser-
ted into the trailer power socket. X
Unplug the adapter plug.
The ultrasonic reversing aid functions again as usual. Practical advice
* optional
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Troubleshooting
223Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
You hear a warning signal when
reversing. The ultrasonic reversing aid sen-
sors are dirty or there is interfer-
ence. X
Clean the ultrasonic reversing aid sensors (Y page 186).
X Switch the ignition back on. The problem ma
y be caused by an
external source of radio or ultra-
sound waves. The ultrasonic
reversing aid is switched off. X
See if ultrasonic reversing aid functions in a different location. You hear a warning tone when
reversing or you do not hear a
warning tone and none of the seg-
ments light up. The ultrasonic reversing aid has
malfunctioned and has switched
itself off. X
Have the ultrasonic reversing aid checked at a qualified specialist
workshop as soon as possible. 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. Practical advice
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Troubleshooting
224 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. Windows
Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
A side window will not close. Something is trapped between
the window and the door frame. X
Remove the objects.
X Close the side window. There are objects in the window
guide rail which are preventing
the window from being raised. X
Remove the objects.
X Close the side window. You cannot see the cause. X
Close the side window with increased force or without the anti-
entrapment feature (Y page 84).Practical advice
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Troubleshooting
225Mirrors
Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
An exterior mirror has been
pushed out of position. X
Push the mirror into the correct position manually. Key
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 Lock or unlock the vehicle using the emergency key element
(Y page 229).
X Check the key batteries (Y page 234) and replace them if neces-
sary ( Ypage 234). The key is faulty. X
Lock or unlock the vehicle using the emergency key element
(Y page 229).
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 234). 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. Practical advice
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Troubleshooting
226 Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
You have lost the emergency key
element. X
Report the loss immediatel y to the vehicle insurers.
X If necessary, have the manual locks changed too. The key cannot be turned in the
ignition lock. The key has been in position
0for
a considerable time. X
Remove the key and reinsert it into the ignition lock.
X Check the starter battery and recharge it if necessary
(Y page 250).
X Start the engine. The on-board voltage is too low. X
Switch off non-essential consumers, e.g. seat heating or interior
lighting, and try to turn the key again.
If this does not work:
X Check the starter battery and recharge it if necessary
(Y page 250).
or
X Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 251).
or
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Practical advice
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Troubleshooting
227Soft top switch*
Problem Possible cause/consequence Suggested solutions
The soft top will not open or
close. The soft top closing procedure
has been interrupted. X
Wait five seconds and repeat the procedure. The fuse is faulty. X
Check the fuse and replace it if necessary (Y page 255). The hydraulic pump has overhea-
ted. X
Wait a few minutes and repeat the procedure. The control unit is malfunctioning
because the closing procedure
has been interrupted. X
Turn the key to position 0and back to 2in the ignition lock.
X Attempt to close the soft top again.
If you are still unable to close it electrically:
X Close the soft top manually
(Y page 232).
X Have the system checked at a qualified specialist workshop. Practical advice
* optional
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