Malfunction Message
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2019
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From: Costco
2025 AMG GT 63, 2023 S500, 2022 GLE53
Malfunction Message
Yesterday, right when I pulled into my garage, a malfunction message popped up. It didn’t register in my brain at first and I just instinctively shut the car down like I automatically always do without seeing any other message, it just said MALFUNCTION in the center screen. I think, although I’m not sure, the AC wasn’t as cold in that brief moment in the garage before I shutdown and lost the message. I could also have just been imagining that. Nothing else seemed wrong as far as I could tell.
I started the car back up and no message or light. So, ok…
I started the car back up and no message or light. So, ok…
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 577
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From: PA
W223 S500 LWB 4-Matic, W222 S450 LWB 4-Matic, A238 E400 Cabriolet 4-Matic
"Malfunction" usually followed by a "Visit Workshop" = if out of warranty, immediately donate to the MB dealer fund if not educated in ways to decode what it's displaying.
Better yet, get yourself a decent Mercedes compatible code reader that may put you at ease that it wasn't anything major that can self-reset or can be reset by you and keep you out of the MB Stealerships.
Better yet, get yourself a decent Mercedes compatible code reader that may put you at ease that it wasn't anything major that can self-reset or can be reset by you and keep you out of the MB Stealerships.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
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Yesterday, right when I pulled into my garage, a malfunction message popped up. It didn’t register in my brain at first and I just instinctively shut the car down like I automatically always do without seeing any other message, it just said MALFUNCTION in the center screen. I think, although I’m not sure, the AC wasn’t as cold in that brief moment in the garage before I shutdown and lost the message. I could also have just been imagining that. Nothing else seemed wrong as far as I could tell.
I started the car back up and no message or light. So, ok…
I started the car back up and no message or light. So, ok…
You can also scroll through ASSYST Plus and see if there are any messages there that has to do with the malfunction.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2023
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From: MA Coast
W204 2010 C300 4matic Sport M272
I wouldnt worry about it. Few times a year I will have a message pop up and I'll be worried something is broken but no, it goes away. Things like the battery warning, traction control, even tire pressure.
I bought a decent obd reader with Mercedes software in case. I have yet to really need it, I scan the car once in awhile and everything seems fine. And if I get a different brand car I can always buy the software pack for that car so its a good investment.
I bought a decent obd reader with Mercedes software in case. I have yet to really need it, I scan the car once in awhile and everything seems fine. And if I get a different brand car I can always buy the software pack for that car so its a good investment.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2019
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From: Costco
2025 AMG GT 63, 2023 S500, 2022 GLE53
I get a few random warnings as well but I’ve never seen a malfunction warning before. It’s no longer there so hopefully it is indeed just an anomaly. Although I just started it without driving. I’ll drive it around later today and see if it comes back.
Another thing I remember is hearing the air suspension hiss rather loudly after I shutdown without reading the entire error message.
Are these malfunction messages saved anywhere that is accessible without an obd reader?
Another thing I remember is hearing the air suspension hiss rather loudly after I shutdown without reading the entire error message.
Are these malfunction messages saved anywhere that is accessible without an obd reader?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2023
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From: MA Coast
W204 2010 C300 4matic Sport M272
I believe they are just shown on the dash in the Service Menu in "Messages". Look in your Operators manual for more details. For my W204 the operators manual says "Malfunction and warning messages are only indicated for certain systems and are intentionally not very detailed." The messages should just be current issues, turning the car off should reset it.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Costco
2025 AMG GT 63, 2023 S500, 2022 GLE53
I found where the saved messages are supposed to be and there were no saved messages for me. Based on the user’s manual (page 503), my malfunction is “low priority.” High-priority messages do not go away. So, hopefully it is indeed minor and won’t come back.
Also, according to the manual, these messages automatically get uploaded to Mercedes. I would to love to access that database and see all of the logged messages.
Also, according to the manual, these messages automatically get uploaded to Mercedes. I would to love to access that database and see all of the logged messages.
Last edited by Frenetic; Jul 4, 2024 at 11:37 AM.
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MBWorld God!
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I found where the saved messages are supposed to be and there were no saved messages for me. Based on the user’s manual (page 503), my malfunction is “low priority.” High-priority messages do not go away. So, hopefully it is indeed minor and won’t come back.
Also, according to the manual, these messages automatically get uploaded to Mercedes. I would to love to access that database and see all of the logged messages.
Also, according to the manual, these messages automatically get uploaded to Mercedes. I would to love to access that database and see all of the logged messages.
Hmmm, that gives me an idea, anything show up in the Mercedes Me app?
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From: Scottsdale, Arizona
2001 E55AMG
It was probably a glitch with your parking sensors as you entered the garage. It happened to me in a 2024 SL43 AMG when the vehicle thought is was going to be in a collision in the middle of an empty road, lights all over the dash. I turned it off and on at the next light... it all went away.
Trenton O. Gibson
tgibson@highline-autos.com
Highline Autos
Direct: 602.909.9216
Office: 480.348.0777
Trenton O. Gibson
tgibson@highline-autos.com
Highline Autos
Direct: 602.909.9216
Office: 480.348.0777
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2019
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From: Costco
2025 AMG GT 63, 2023 S500, 2022 GLE53
That’s certainly plausible. I just wish I wasn’t on autopilot when I pulled into the garage. I really would have liked to see what malfunction it was.
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Joined: Dec 2007
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2005 S500 Designo
"Malfunction" usually followed by a "Visit Workshop" = if out of warranty, immediately donate to the MB dealer fund if not educated in ways to decode what it's displaying.
Better yet, get yourself a decent Mercedes compatible code reader that may put you at ease that it wasn't anything major that can self-reset or can be reset by you and keep you out of the MB Stealerships.
Better yet, get yourself a decent Mercedes compatible code reader that may put you at ease that it wasn't anything major that can self-reset or can be reset by you and keep you out of the MB Stealerships.
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Super Member
Joined: Feb 2020
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From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
2023 S580
Every now and again, I get a black box with red text complaining about this, that or the other thing. Usually it is crying about automatic lane changing not working while using cruise. My ageing eyes can barely see a building five feet in front of me (kidding a bit), so if Mercedes wants me to read these messages, they need to change the color combo.
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