MERCEDES-BENZ G500 2004 W463 Owner's Manual

261 Practical hints
What to do if …
Text messagesDisplay symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
ABS
ABS SYSTEM
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The ABS has detected a malfunction and
has switched off. The ESP, BAS, EBB and
4-ETS are also deactivated.
The brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without the ABS available.
Wheels will lock during hard braking, re-
ducing steering capability.

Continue driving with added caution.

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accident.
VISIT WORKSHOP!
DISPLAY MALFUNCTION:
The ABS or the ABS display is malfunc-
tioning.
Wheels will lock in hard braking reducing
steering capability.

Continue driving with added caution.

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accident.
BAS
BRAKE ASSIST
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The BAS has detected a malfunction and
switched off.
The brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without the BAS available.
Wheels will lock in hard braking reducing
steering capability.

Continue driving with added caution.

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accident.

262 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
BAS
VISIT WORKSHOP!
DISPLAY MALFUNCTION:
The BAS or the BAS display is malfunc-
tioning.

Continue driving with added caution.

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center
as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increas-
es the risk of accident.
DIFFERENTIAL
LOCK
ABS NOT AVAILABLE
DIFFERENTIAL LOCKED
You have engaged the differential locks.

The ABS switches on again after the dif-
ferential locks have been disengaged.
ESP
VISIT WORKSHOP!
DISPLAY MALFUNCTION:
The ESP or the ESP display is malfunc-
tioning.

Continue driving with added caution.

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center
as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increas-
es the risk of accident.
ESP
NOT AVAILABLE
The ESP is temporarily unavailable. The
self-diagnosis has not been completed.
The display will clear itself after driving a
short-distance at more than approximately
12 mph (20 km/h).

263 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
ESP
ESP
NOT AVAILABLE
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts and the ESP has switched off.

When the voltage is above this value
again, the ESP is operational again.

If necessary, have the generator (alter-
nator) and battery checked.
The ESP is deactivated because of a mal-
function or interrupted power supply. The
ABS and BAS might not be operational.
The system must be resynchronized.

Synchronize the ESP. With vehicle sta-
tionary and the engine running, turn
the steering wheel completely to the
left and then to the right to synchro-
nize the ESP.
If the ESP message does not go out:

Continue driving with added caution.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center as soon as possi-
ble.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accident.
!When synchronizing the ESP, make
sure you can turn the steering wheel in
both directions as far as it will go with-
out the wheels hitting any objects, e.g.
a road curb.

264 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
ESP
ESP
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The ESP is switched off due to a malfunc-
tion or an interruption in the power sup-
ply.
The brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without ESP, ABS and BAS avail-
able.
If in addition the ABS is malfunctioning,
only partial engine output will be avail-
able.

Continue driving with added caution.

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accident.

265 Practical hints
What to do if …
Symbol messagesDisplay symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
#
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The battery was charged with a battery
charger or jump started.

Have the battery checked at a service
station.
The battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:

alternator malfunctioning


broken poly-V-belt

Stop immediately and check the
poly-V-belt.
If it is broken:

Do not continue to drive. Otherwise
the engine will overheat due to an in-
operative water pump which may re-
sult in serious engine damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty. Notify an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
If it is intact:

Turn off unnecessary electric consum-
ers.

Drive immediately to the nearest au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
UNDERVOLTAGE
ENGINE ON!
The battery has insufficient voltage.

Start the engine.

266 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
#
UNDERVOLTAGE
SWITCH CONSUMERS OFF!
The battery has insufficient voltage.

Have the battery checked at a ser-
vice station.
2
BRAKE WEAR
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The brake pads have reached their
wear limit.

Have the brake pads replaced as
soon as possible.
3
BRAKE FLUID
VISIT WORKSHOP!
There is insufficient brake fluid in the
reservoir.

Risk of accident! Stop the vehicle
and notify an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Do not add brake fluid! This will not
solve the problem.
Warning!
G
Driving with the last message displayed can
result in an accident. Have your brake sys-
tem checked immediately.
Do not add brake fluid before checking the
brake system. Overfilling the brake fluid res-
ervoir can result in spilling brake fluid on hot
engine parts and the brake fluid catching
fire. You can be seriously burned.
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks. !Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the
intervals specified in the Service book-
let.

267 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
3
ELEC. BRAKE BOOST.
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The EBB has detected a malfunction and
has switched off.
The brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without the EBB available.

Continue driving with added cau-
tion.

Have the system checked at an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accident.
;
(USA only)
!
(Canada only)
PARK. BRAKE
RELEASE BRAKE!
You are driving with the parking brake
set.

Release the parking brake
(page 44).

268 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
B
COOLANT
CHECK LEVEL!
The coolant level is too low.

Add coolant (
page 232).

If you have to add coolant frequently,
have the cooling system checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Warning!
G
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which
may burn if it comes into contact with hot
engine parts. You could be seriously burned.
!Do not ignore the low engine coolant
level warning. Extended driving with
the message and symbol displayed
may cause serious engine damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Do not drive without sufficient amount
of coolant in the cooling system. The
engine will overheat causing serious
engine damage.
Observe the coolant temperature dis-
play (
page 112).

269 Practical hints
What to do if …
During severe operating conditions and
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant tem-
perature may rise close to 248°F (120°C).
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
Ï
COOLANT
STOP, ENGINE OFF!
The coolant is too hot.

Stop the vehicle and turn off the en-
gine.

Only start the engine again after the
message disappears. You could other-
wise damage the engine.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is badly overheat-
ed can cause some fluids which may have
leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns and can occur just by opening
the hood. Stay away from the engine if you
see or hear steam coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until the
engine has cooled down.
!The engine should not be operated with
the coolant temperature above 248°F
(120°C). Doing so may cause serious
engine damage which is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

270 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
Ï
COOLANT
STOP, ENGINE OFF!
The poly-V-belt could be broken.

Stop immediately and check the
poly-V-belt.
If it is broken:

Do not continue to drive. Otherwise
the engine will overheat due to an in-
operative water pump which may re-
s u l t i n d a m a g e t o t he e n g i n e . N ot i f y a n
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
If it is in order:

Do not continue to drive the vehicle
with this message displayed. Doing so
could result in serious engine damage
that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
COOLANT
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The cooling fan for the coolant is malfunc-
tioning.

Observe the coolant temperature dis-
play (
page 112).

Have the fan replaced as soon as pos-
sible.