Warning lights, warning lights, and fault messages (Mercedes-Benz C-Class W203)

Warning and indicator lights on the instrument panel

Instrument panel - see Section Dashboard.



When the ignition switch key is turned to position 2, the anti-lock brake system (ABS) indicator light comes on.

It goes out when the engine is running.

If this indicator light comes on while the engine is running, it means that the anti-lock brake system (ABS) is disabled due to a malfunction.

In this case, the standard braking system operates without the anti-lock function.

If the ABS control unit fails, there is a risk of failure of other systems, such as the "Parktronic", navigation system and automatic transmission. (Automatic transmission emergency mode - see Section Vehicle control and auxiliary systems).

If the ABS system fails, the Electronic Skid Control System (ESP) and Brake Assist (BAS) are also switched off.

The warning and fault signalling system indication appears on the universal display.

Contact a service station immediately "Mercedes-Benz" to check the ABS system.

Note: When the electrical voltage drops below 10 V, the indicator lamp on the instrument panel also lights up and the ABS system is disabled. When the voltage rises above the specified value, the indicator lamp goes out and the ABS system is ready for operation again.

(Anti-lock brake system (ABS) - see Section Vehicle control and auxiliary systems).



When you turn the key in the ignition switch to position 2, the indicator lamp lights up.

It goes out when the engine is running.

If this indicator light comes on while the engine is running, the parking brake is not released or there is too little brake fluid in the brake reservoir due to a leak.

Electronic Skid Control (ESP) Warning Light

When the ignition switch key is turned to position 2, a warning light comes on in the speedometer. It goes out when the engine is running.



If the warning light comes on or flashes while driving, see "Electronic Skid Control (ESP)" (Section Vehicle control and auxiliary systems).

The lamp has no function. It lights up when the ignition switch key is turned to position 2 and goes out when the engine is running.

Engine diagnostic indicator lamp. When the ignition switch key is turned to position 2, the indicator lamp lights up.

It goes out when the engine is running.

If the indicator lamp comes on while the engine is running, there may be a fault in the fuel injection system, ignition system or exhaust system.

Exhaust emission limits may be exceeded.

Note: Contact a service station immediately "Mercedes-Benz" to check the car.

DTR The lamp has no function. It lights up when the ignition switch key is turned to position 2 and goes out when the engine is running.



Seat belt application warning light.

When you turn the ignition key from position 1 to position 2, the warning light on the instrument panel comes on for approximately 6 seconds. This reminds you to put on your seat belts before driving off.

SRS SRS system warning light (Supplemental Restraint System)

When the ignition switch key is turned to position 1, the indicator lamp comes on for approximately 4 seconds.

In position 2, the indicator lamp lights up continuously and goes out when the engine is running.

This confirms the operability of passenger safety systems (airbags, seat belt tensioners and automatic child seat recognition system).

If it does not light up, does not go out for a long time, does not go out at all, blinks or lights up while driving, then there is a malfunction.

There is a risk of accident!

If there is a malfunction, the passenger safety systems may not operate in an emergency situation. In extremely rare cases, the airbags or seat belt tensioners may also operate spontaneously.

Proceed with caution to the nearest service station "Mercedes-Benz"!

Fuel reserve warning light

If the warning lamp (1) on the fuel gauge lights up while the engine is running, the fuel reserve has been reached. Additionally, the universal display shows "RESERVE FUEL" (FUEL RESERVE) "VISIT FILLING STATION" (REFUEL).



After refueling, the next time the ignition is turned on, the universal display will show the following indication: "1 MALFUNCTION" (1 MALFUNCTION). This indication must be removed.

Warning and indicator lamp on the center console

Control lamp AIRBAG-OFF.

When the ignition switch key is turned to position 1 or 2, the indicator lamp comes on for approximately 4 seconds .

If it does not light up, there is a malfunction.

Control lamp illuminates continuously when a child seat with child seat recognition is installed in the front passenger seat and indicates that the front passenger airbag is off.

(Automatic child seat recognition system - see Section Security systems).

Indication of the warning and fault signaling system on the universal display

The warning and fault signalling system indications for the following systems appear immediately on the universal display.



They are divided into three categories.

Category K1. High priority messages.

The fault is indicated on the universal display until the fault is corrected.

Categories K2 and K3. Medium and low priority messages.

These messages can be cleared from the display and still be stored in the fault indication memory (Section Multifunctional steering wheel, universal display). To delete, click the button , or on the universal steering wheel, or the reset button on the instrument panel (Section Multifunctional steering wheel, universal display).

Note.

• Certain system messages are additionally confirmed by an audible signal.
• When red indicators of the warning and malfunction signaling system appear, an additional sound signal is emitted.
• Whenever red indicators of the warning and malfunction signaling system appear, an audible signal always sounds.
• Indications of the warning and alarm system of malfunctions, such as, "TRUNK OPEN!" (THE TRUNK IS OPEN!) are not recorded in the fault indication memory.

Anti-lock brake system

ABS SYSTEM; VISIT WORKSHOP! (ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM; CONTACT THE SERVICE STAFF!)

VISIT WORKSHOP! DISPLAY FAULTY (CONTACT THE SERVICE STORE! INDICATOR MALFUNCTION)1

1 Failure of the indication for the system or the system itself.

Battery/Generator

BATTERY/GENERATOR; CONTACT THE SERVICE STAFF!

The battery is not charging.

Correct the problem immediately.

The ribbed V-belt may break.

In this case, to continue driving, it is necessary to replace the ribbed V-belt. Otherwise, due to the failure of the coolant pump, overheating and, as a result, engine damage are possible.

Emergency Brake Assist (brake assist)

NOT AVAILABLE! (DOESN'T WORK!)

VISIT WORKSHOP! (CONTACT THE SERVICE STAFF!)

DISPLAY FAULTY (INDICATOR MALFUNCTION)

Brake pad wear

BRAKE PADS WEAR. CONTACT THE SERVICE WORK STATION!

The brake pads have reached their wear limit and must be replaced immediately.

Brake fluid

BRAKE FLUID. CONTACT THE SERVICE STOVE!

If the brake fluid level in the reservoir has dropped below the normal level, this may lead to failure of the brake system!

Do not add brake fluid, as this will not correct the problem.

You cannot continue driving. You must notify one of the maintenance stations "Mercedes-Benz".

Electronic Diesel Fuel Injection Control System

EL. FUEL INJECTION CONTROL SYSTEM. CONTACT THE SERVICE STATION!

Malfunction of the electronic control system of diesel fuel injection. There is a malfunction of the fuel injection system. The engine no longer reaches full power. Immediately contact a service station to check the fuel injection system.

Note: In the limp home mode, do not drive with the accelerator pedal fully depressed and do not exceed 2500 rpm, otherwise there is a risk of engine damage.

Electronic anti-skid system

NOT AVAILABLE! (DOESN'T WORK!) 1,2,3,4

VISIT WORKSHOP! (CONTACT THE SERVICE STAFF!) 1,5

DISPLAY FAULTY (INDICATOR MALFUNCTION)

1. Electronic skid control (ESP) and traction control systems do not work.

2. After interruption of power supply (disconnection of clamps or discharge of the battery) the system needs to be re-aligned.

To do this, turn the steering wheel from lock to lock and then back to the straight-ahead position - the malfunction indicator does not go out.

3. The system is temporarily out of order. The reason for this may be unfinished self-diagnosis.

After a short run at a speed of over 20 km/h, the indicator goes out.

4. If the voltage is low, the system will not work, for example if the battery is not charging.

5. If the ESP system is faulty, the ESP system warning light on the center console does not function.

If, in addition, the ABS system is faulty, a reduction in engine power may occur.

6. Failure of the indication for the system or the system itself.

Parking brake

APPLY BRAKES! (LOCK THE PARKING BRAKE!)

RELEASE BRAKE! (RELEASE THE PARKING BRAKE!)

Function

FUNCTION NOT PROVIDED!

The indicator appears when the button on the multifunction steering wheel is pressed or and the car is not equipped with a telephone.

[Article text obtained from the website: mercedesman]

Automatic transmission

APPLY BRAKES! (LOCK THE PARKING BRAKE!)

ENGAGE N! (TURN ON THE "N" TRANSMISSION!)

VISIT WORKSHOP! (CONTACT THE SERVICE STAFF!)

Sequentronic gearbox

1st line

• APPLY (TURN ON)
• SELECT GEAR
• TRANSMISSION (TRANSMISSION)
• ENGAGE N! (TURN ON THE "N" TRANSMISSION!)
• ENGAGE N (FOR START)

Below:

• BRAKES!*1
• AGAIN! (REQUEST AGAIN!)*1
• VISIT WORKSHOP! (CONTACT THE SERVICE STAFF!)*2
• TO START! (PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO "N"!)*1

*1 cm. Section Vehicle control and auxiliary systems.
*2 cm. Section Vehicle control and auxiliary systems.

Seat belts

SEAT BELTS! CONTACT THE SERVICE STATION!

Trunk

THE TRUNK IS OPEN!

Coolant level

COOLANT. CHECK LEVEL!

(Adding coolant is discussed in Chapter Routine maintenance).

Coolant temperature

COOLANT; STOP, ENGINE OFF! (COOLING LIQUID. STOP, TURN OFF THE ENGINE!)1



COOLANT; VISIT WORKSHOP! (COOLANT. CONTACT THE SERVICE STOVE!)2

1. The ribbed V-belt may break. In this case, the ribbed V-belt must be replaced to continue driving.

When the COOLANT indicator appears (COOLANT) STOP, ENGINE OFF! (STOP, TURN OFF THE ENGINE!) the engine must not be started: risk of engine damage.

2. The coolant cooling fan is faulty. Monitor the coolant temperature gauge (Section Multifunctional steering wheel, universal display).

Lighting

First line of display:

• LOW BEAM, L (LOW BEAM, LEFT), K2
• LOW BEAM, R (LOW BEAM, RIGHT), K2
• TRAILER TURN SIGN, L (TRAILER TURN SIGNAL, LEFT), K2
• TRAILER TURN SIGN, R (TRAILER TURN SIGNAL, RIGHT), K2
• TRAILER BRAKE LIGHT (TRAILER BRAKE SIGNAL LIGHT), K2
• TRAILER TAIL LIGHT, L (REAR LIGHT, LEFT), K2
• TRAILER TAIL LIGHT, R (REAR LIGHT, RIGHT), K2
• AUTOMAT. LIGHT ON (AUTOMATIC LIGHT SWITCHING), K1
• TURN SIGNAL, L, (TURN SIGNAL, REAR LEFT), K2
• TURN SIGNAL, R (TURN SIGNAL, REAR RIGHT), K2
• L.TURN SIG. RFLECTR (TURN SIGNAL ON LEFT MIRROR), K2
• R.TURN SIG. RFLECTR (TURN SIGNAL ON RIGHT MIRROR), K2
• TURN SIGNAL, F, L (TURN SIGNAL, FRONT LEFT), K2
• TURN SIGNAL, F, R (TURN SIGNAL, FRONT RIGHT), K2
• TRAILER BRAKE LAMP (TRAILER BRAKE SIGNAL)*3, K2
• STOP LAMP (BRAKE SIGNAL)*3, K2
• BRAKE LIGHT, L (BRAKE SIGNAL, LEFT), K2
• BRAKE LIGHT, R (BRAKE SIGNAL, RIGHT), K2
• 3RD STOP LAMP (3RD BRAKE SIGNAL LIGHT)*4, K2
• HIGH BEAM, L (HIGH BEAM LEFT), K2
• HIGH BEAM, R (HIGH BEAM RIGHT), K2
• LICENSE PLATE, L (LICENSE PLATE LAMP, LEFT), K2
• LICENSE PLATE, R (LICENSE PLATE LAMP, RIGHT), K2
• LIGHTS (LIGHT), K1
• FRONT FOGLAMP, L (FOG LAMP, LEFT), K2
• FRONT FOGLAMP, R (FOG LAMP, RIGHT), K2
• REAR FOGLAMP (REAR FOG LIGHT), K2
• REAR FOGLAMP (REAR FOG LIGHT), K2
• FR.LEFT PARKG LAMP (PARKING LAMP FRONT LEFT), K2
• FR.RIGHT PARKG LAMP (PARKING LAMP FRONT RIGHT), K2
• REVERSE LIGHT, L (REVERSE LIGHT LEFT), K2
• REVERSE LIGHT, R (REVERSE LIGHT RIGHT), K2
• TAIL LIGHT, L (REAR LIGHT LEFT), K2
• TAIL LIGHT, R (REAR LIGHT RIGHT), K2
• SIDELIGHT, L (PARKING LIGHT, LEFT), K2
• SIDELIGHT, R (PARKING LIGHT, RIGHT), K2
• VISIT WORKSHOP (CONTACT THE SERVICE STAFF!)*1, K2

Second display line:

• CHECK LAMP! (CHECK THE LAMP!)
• REMOVE KEY! (REMOVE THE KEY!)
• SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON! (ADDITIONAL LIGHT ON!)*2
• VISIT WORKSHOP (CONTACT THE SERVICE STAFF!)
• SWITCH OFF LIGHTS! (TURN OFF THE LIGHTS)
• SWITCH OFF
• DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (INDICATOR MALFUNCTION)

*1. Failure of the system indication or the system itself.

*2. When certain incandescent lamps fail, other lamps are energized to replace them.

*3. The brake light comes on late or constantly - contact a service station immediately!

*4. The brake light is equipped with several LEDs. The warning indicator is activated only when all LEDs fail. (Replacing faulty incandescent bulbs is discussed in Chapter On-board electrical equipment).

Light sensor

LIGHT SENSOR CONTACT THE SERVICE STATION!

If the light sensor is faulty, the headlights are automatically turned on.

In the "LIGHTING" menu of the "Individual Installation" system, the installation menu can be set "HEADLAMP MODE" (LIGHT SWITCHING) on "MANUAL" (MANUAL CONTROL) (Chapter Multifunctional steering wheel, universal display).

Switching the headlights on and off is then again possible using the light switch.

Hood

THE HOOD IS OPEN!

Engine oil level

CHECK LEVEL! (CHECK THE LEVEL!)*1, K2

STOP, ENGINE OFF! (STOP THE ENGINE!)*2, K1

REDUCE OIL LEVEL! (LOWER THE OIL LEVEL)*3, K2

VISIT WORKSHOP (CONTACT THE SERVICE STAFF!)*4, K2

VISIT WORKSHOP (CONTACT THE SERVICE STAFF!)*5, K2

*1. The engine oil level should be checked immediately (see "Engine oil level indication", Chapter Routine maintenance).

*2. There is no oil in the engine. Engine damage may occur.

*3. There is a risk of damage to the engine or catalytic converter. Check the engine oil level immediately (see Chapter Routine maintenance).

*4. The engine oil level has dropped to a critical level.

The engine oil level should be checked immediately (see Chapter Routine maintenance) and perform a visual inspection of the engine for leaks (oil leak).

It is also possible that the engine oil contains water. Check the engine oil.

*5. The measuring system is faulty.

Passenger safety systems

PASSENGER SAFETY SYSTEMS. CONTACT THE SERVICE STATION!

Key

REPLACE THE KEY TO THE STO.

"Speedtronic" \tempostat

System faulty "Speedtronic". CONTACT THE SERVICE STATION.

Fuel reserve

FUEL RESERVE. REFUEL.

TeleAID System

TELEAID (TELEAID SYSTEM).

TELEAID BATTERIE (TELEAID SYSTEM BATTERY).

CONTACT THE SERVICE STAFF!

When the indication appears "TELEAID" "VISIT WORKSHOP!" it is possible that all three main functions of the TeleAid system are impaired.

When the indication appears "TELEAID BATTERY" "VISIT WORKSHOP" the TeleAid system emergency power battery is faulty.

If the vehicle's battery also fails, for example due to low voltage, all three main functions of the TeleAid system are impaired.

Telephone

PHONE. ENTER CODE.

Door

THE DOOR IS OPEN.

Low voltage

UNDERVOLTAGE (LOW VOLTAGE).

ENGINE ON! (START THE ENGINE!).

CONSUMER DEFECTIVE! (TURN OFF ELECTRICITY CONSUMERS).

Contact the service station

CONTACT THE SERVICE STATION.

The display is faulty, contact the service station

CONTACT THE SERVICE STATION. THE DISPLAY IS DEFECTIVE.

The engine control unit has registered a malfunction. Information cannot be transmitted from the unit to the display.

Windshield washer fluid reservoir level

WATER IN WINDSHIELD WIPER TANK. CHECK LEVEL.