ML350d W166 - Multiple Dash Warning Lights

[Rmaya]

Hi, desperate for some help...

Came back after being 3-weeks away and after starting the car and taking it to the motorway it started to illustrate multiple warning lights. If you switch it off/on they go away but come back after a few miles.

- PRESAFE Functions,
- Anti Spin,
- Stability Control,
- Parking Brake (yellow light),
- Airbag light,
- EML.

It seems to be getting progressively worst. The indicators wouldn't work sometimes and finally, it would sometimes not change between P, D, R.

The car was absolutely fine before I left.

Any ideas?

 

[AMGeed]

Possibly main battery low voltage.
Get the battery on a full charge for at least 24hrs.
It should read at least 12.6v fully charged a little more if its an AGM battery.

With the amber EML displayed, you may need to take it to a Mercedes specialist if the faults remain after a battery charge for the stored fault code(s) to be read.

 

[Smart320]

Battery low as AMGeed suggested

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I agree: if you need to troubleshoot it yourself and you don’t have access to any diagnostics systems or smartphone apps then low battery voltage should be eliminated first.

As @amgceed suggests, charging the battery for a good 24 hours would be my first port of call. Use either a multimeter (if you have one) or charger go check the voltage/status.

Once fully charged take it for a drive, and periodically switch off the engine. Get out, lock it, wait or walk around for 15 minutes, and then restart. Repeat five times with 15 minutes driving in between..

Starting the engine more than five times will clear low criticality fault codes. Leaving the car locked for 15 minutes ensures that the car goes go sleep. Driving 15 minutes tops up the battery to make sure exit restarts.

When you get home put it back on charge for as long as you can. If that doesn’t my help then there’s another more critical issues which is storing a live fault code which will need diagnosis.

 

[Rmaya]

What would you guys use to charge it for 24 hours?

Should I just replace the battery?

 

[AMGeed]

What would you guys use to charge it for 24 hours?

Should I just replace the battery?

A normal 4amp battery charger will do the job, so too an MX-5 C-Teck battery conditioner which can be connected for months at a time without damaging the battery. It just switches itself on when the battery voltage drops below a certain level.

How old is the battery? If its over 5 years old maybe it is failing to hold the charge but it need load testing to find that out. Halfords can do this but don't be persuaded to buy the battery there until you have compared prices. Get it charged first and see if your faults disappear. You can then have it load tested in your own time.

 

[Rmaya]

Thanks, the car is a late 15 plate. Ordered one from Amazon just now. Is it ok to use the car in the meantime until it arrives?

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Thanks, the car is a late 15 plate. Ordered one from Amazon just now. Is it ok to use the car in the meantime until it arrives?

It’s difficult to say because we don’t know the cause.

When was you car last serviced and was it serviced by a Mercedes’ main dealer? If so, and it’s within the last 12 months, then you may have Mercedes’ break down assistance.

 

[Rmaya]

Unfortunately, it was serviced at an Indy, reputable logged the service with the MB database but not a main dealer. Do you get 12 breakdown assistance when you service the car on the main dealer?

 

[mioba]

Unfortunately, it was serviced at an Indy, reputable logged the service with the MB database but not a main dealer. Do you get 12 breakdown assistance when you service the car on the main dealer?

Yes its called Mobilo and very comprehnsive.

Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance

Discover the benefits of Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance & Rescue Assist including 24 hour support, replacement vehicles, home assistance and more.

www.mercedes-benz.co.uk

 

[Rmaya]

Do you guys know any decent affordable diagnostic that would clear the EML, for when I replace the battery?

Preferably something for a mobile phone?

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Do you guys know any decent affordable diagnostic that would clear the EML, for when I replace the battery?

Preferably something for a mobile phone?

You could try Carly. It will clear some fault codes but not all. If the codes don’t clear after five engine starts following the battery replacement then I would take it to a Mercedes main dealer or Mercedes specialist anyway for diagnosis in case it’s something else. They can clear the codes at the same time.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Unfortunately, it was serviced at an Indy, reputable logged the service with the MB database but not a main dealer. Do you get 12 breakdown assistance when you service the car on the main dealer?

Yes the breakdown service is in place for 12 months from the date of a service at a main dealer. It’s an excellent service, operated by the RAC on behalf of Mercedes-Benz in the UK.

A normal RAC patrol will attend in most cases but if requested then they will send a Mercedes-trained technician who has Mercedes diagnostics equipment and some common parts on board.

As a result they can fix some issues at the road side, often free of charge for low value items. They will fit batteries and clear codes too, and you just pay for the battery, but unfortunately you’d need to be covered.

I still keep a separate breakdown service to cover me on other cars, and when I’m towing. It’s also useful if your car must be recovered to a garage and you don’t want to use a nearby main dealer.

 

[Rmaya]

Replaced the battery, but did not solve the problem.
When you start the car it starts with the ESP, ABS, Airbag Lights on, and it gets gradually worse as you are driving. It hesitates to go into between gears sometimes when all the faults kick in then it's ok again.

I have booked it for a diagnostic with a local specialist, I'm kind of dreading taking it to MB Dealer.

Any other ideas? I'm struggling to find anyone having the same issue before..

 

[ToeKnee]

Does it have two batteries and you've only replaced one?

 

[Rmaya]

Yes, I've replaced the main one, did not replace the auxiliary one. I have a multimeter so I can check the voltage on the auxiliary one just don't know what it should be. I'm reading it could also be a rusted sensor somewhere but I have no clue how to go about identifying that and also read that it is possible that not even STAR can get this.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Replaced the battery, but did not solve the problem.
When you start the car it starts with the ESP, ABS, Airbag Lights on, and it gets gradually worse as you are driving. It hesitates to go into between gears sometimes when all the faults kick in then it's ok again.

I have booked it for a diagnostic with a local specialist, I'm kind of dreading taking it to MB Dealer.

Any other ideas? I'm struggling to find anyone having the same issue before..

How many times have you restarted the engine now?

 

[jokuf]

Hello, I have the same problem, can you share with us what was the problem and how you fixed