Mercedes Sprinter Dashboard Warning Lights

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van is now in its third generation. The dashboard warning lights in this section detail the Mercedes Sprinter second generation, (MK 2 – 906) built between 2006 and 2018.

Warning light name:Warning
Description: This Mercedes Sprinter warning triangle containing an exclamation mark / point is used alongside other warning lights.
What to do: The warning triangle accompanies the ESP and ASR warning lights.

 

Warning light name: Coolant Temperature
Description: This is the Mercedes Sprinter red coolant temperature too high warning light.
What to do: For advice on what to do if the engine coolant temperature light comes on, see Mercedes Sprinter coolant warning light.

 

Warning light name: Coolant Level
Description: The Mercedes Sprinter Low Engine Coolant Level Dashboard Warning Light.
What to do: If the yellow coolant level warning light comes on the Sprinter Dash, this indicates the coolant level is running too low. Running the engine with low coolant level may cause the engine to overheat, resulting in damage. Stop as soon as possible, switch off the ignition to allow the engine to cool, then add coolant.

 

Warning light name: Airbag
Description: The Mercedes Sprinter airbag warning light stays on when a fault has been detected with the airbag system.
What to do: The restraint systems have malfunctioned. If the airbag restraint systems are malfunctioning, certain individual systems could be triggered inadvertently or might not be deployed at all in the event of an accident. Have system checked as soon as possible. Possible causes are cables and connectors being disrupted under the seats, airbag sensor, seat occupancy sensor, object in belt buckle.

Warning light name: BRAKE
Description: The Mercedes Sprinter Brake warning light is often associated with low brake fluid levels.
What to do: Possible reasons for the Mercedes Sprinter Brake warning light are:

• Brake fluid level too low
• EBD malfunctioning
• Trailer brake force booster malfunction
  For further information on the Mercedes Sprinter Brake warning light, other symbol combinations and possible meanings, see Mercedes Sprinter Brake warning light.

 

Warning light name: Oil Level
Description: The Mercedes Sprinter engine oil level light comes on in yellow and is typically associated with low engine oil level.
What to do: Possible reasons for the Mercedes Sprinter oil level warning light are:

• Low engine oil level
• Engine oil level too high
• Engine oil level display malfunction
• Oil level sensor fault

 

Warning light name: Check Engine
Description: The Mercedes Sprinter check engine warning light has several potential faults associated with it.
What to do: Possible reasons for the Mercedes Sprinter check engine light are:

• Fuel has almost been used up
• Injection control malfunction
• Exhaust gas after-treatment malfunction
• Oxygen air intake sensor

When the check engine warning light comes on, fault codes are stored and must be read by a diagnostic tool.

 

Warning light name: Glow Plugs
Description: The Mercedes Sprinter preglow / glow plugs warning light comes on for a short time only and goes out when the diesel engine is ready to start. Symptoms of a possible fault are:
What to do: Turning the ignition key to position 2 and the Mercedes Sprinter yellow preglow / glow plugs light remains lit for approximately one minute, or the warning light remains lit for approximately one minute while the engine is running indicates a fault in the preglow / glow plugs system. In colder conditions, the engine may not start. Have preglow system checked as soon as possible.

 

Warning light name: Tire / Tyre Pressure
Description: There are two instances where the Mercedes Sprinter tire/ tyre pressure monitoring light comes on; always on and flashing.
What to do: The tire pressure warning light either remains on or flashes:

Always on: The Mercedes Sprinter yellow tire/ tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) has detected a rapid loss of pressure in at least one tire.

• Avoid making any sudden steering or braking manoeuvres and stop the van being sure to pay attention to traffic conditions.
• Check tire pressures and correct. If a tire is losing pressure quickly or is damaged, it must be replaced with the spare wheel.
• The warning light will go out after the flat tire has been rectified and after you have been driving for a few minutes.

Flashing: The Mercedes Sprinter yellow tire/ tyre pressure monitoring system flashes for 60 seconds then always on indicates that the tire pressure monitoring system has malfunctioned. Have the system and wheels checked.

 

Warning light name: ABS
Description: The Mercedes Sprinter ABS warning light comes on while the engine is running indicating a fault with the anti lock braking system. The ABS has either malfunctioned or is temporarily unavailable. ESP, ASR and BAS, as well as cruise control, are also unavailable as a result. Normal brakes are not affected by the loss of ABS and will continue to work as normal. There is an increased risk of locked wheels, particularly under heavy braking – maximum force. Under these harsh conditions, steering will also be significantly impaired.
What to do: Possible reasons for the yellow Mercedes Sprinter ABS warning light coming on or staying on are:

• Self-diagnosis of the ABS at startup may not be complete.
• The battery is not receiving sufficient charge or is not charging at all.
• Continue to drive at a speed of 13 mph (20 km/h) or greater for a short distance. If the warning light remains on, it may be a battery or wheel speed sensor related issue. Drive with care and have system checked as soon as possible.

Warning light name: DEF
Description: The yellow Mercedes Sprinter DEF – diesel exhaust fluid warning light comes on with the engine running when the exhaust gas aftertreatment system has malfunctioned or the level of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is running low.
What to do: The Mercedes Sprinter DEF warning light may comes of because:

• The presence of the check engine light along with the DEF light may indicate a malfunction with the exhaust gas aftertreatment system.
• DEF supply is low.
• DEF supply is contaminated.
• DEF supply is thinned.

 

Warning light name: Distance Warning
Description: The Mercedes Sprinter distance warning light stays on constantly when a fault has been detected with the system.
What to do: Due to the nature of the system, particularly complicated driving conditions such as bad weather for example may cause the system to display an unnecessary warning. Check the camera is clear by cleaning the front windscreen.

 

Warning light name: Lane Keeping
Description: The Mercedes Sprinter lane keeping assist helps the driver by alerting them if they have left their lane without use of the indicators.
What to do: If a fault arises, ensure the sensors located in the rear bumper corner are clear of debris and are not damaged.

 

Warning light name: Brake Pad / Linings
Description: The yellow Mercedes Sprinter brake pad wear indicator light illuminates on the dashboard after the engine has started or while the vehicle is in motion.
What to do: This warning light indicates that the brake pads/ linings have reached the end of their wear limit. There is a risk of an accident due to reduced braking performance. Have brake pads changed as soon as possible. There’s roughly 1000 miles of travel before pads become dangerously worn, though this depends on driving style.

Warning light name: ASR / BAS
Description: The Mercedes Sprinter ASR (Acceleration Skid Control) and BAS (Electronic Braking Assist) light comes constant on or flashes for two possible reasons.
What to do: The ASR light may either flash or stay on constantly:

• Constant on: ASR has been disabled due to a malfunction. ASR is dependent on ABS wheel speed sensors and a fault often arises due to a sensor fault.
• Flashing: The ASR light flashes, perhaps along with the warning triangle indicating that one or more tires has reached the limit of its grip. Cruise control is also deactivated. Adapt the style of your driving the surrounding conditions.

 

Warning light name: ESP
Description: The Mercedes Sprinter ESP dashboard light indicates that the Electronic Stability Program has been deactivated when the light is constantly on.
What to do: As with ASR, ABS wheel speed sensors can cause issues or the ESP module.

 

Warning light name: Air Filter
Description: This yellow Mercedes Sprinter warning light informs the driver of an accumulation of dirt in the air filter. The service limit for the air filter has been reached.
What to do: The air filter is dirty. Have the air filter element changed as soon as possible.

 

Warning light name: Water in Fuel
Description: This yellow Mercedes Sprinter water in fuel warning light is an indicator that water has collected in the water separator in the fuel filter and has reached the maximum level.
What to do: The water separator require draining.

Warning light name: Battery Charge
Description: The Mercedes Sprinter battery warning light with engine ignition for a short time and should then go out. If the red battery light stays on or comes on when driving, there is a fault.
What to do: The Mercedes Sprinter battery warning light coming on is often due to fault battery, alternator or torn poly V belt.

 

Warning light name: Parking Brake
Description: The Mercedes Sprinter parking brake can become impaired when driving on wet roads or dirt covered surfaces. Dirt and road salt can get into the parking brake causing corrosion and a reduction in braking force.
What to do: In order to prevent this, drive with the parking brake lightly applied from time to time. When doing so, drive for a distance of approximately 110 yds (100 m) at a maximum speed of 12 mph (20 km/h).

 

Warning light name: Bulb
Description: The Mercedes Sprinter yellow bulb symbol lights up when the key is turned to position 2 in the ignition lock.
What to do: With the exception of the perimeter lights and the trailer lighting, one of the exterior lighting bulbs has failed.