Hi all

The strangest thing happened recently. I unlocked my 2003 SL500 to get something out of it and looked up to notice an error message in the dash cluster in red letters saying "Reduced brake affect - Start engine". I did as asked and as per the manual the message went out and hasnt been back since.

Firstly, what caused that ?. I know that manual says the battery had insufficient voltage but why ?. It hasnt happened since and the car had been used earlier that day so the battery should be ok ?

Secondly, if anyone recalls i have posted on here that my LCD display in the cluster has a fault and it goes off for long spells randomly. Well its been working faultlessly ever since and that is very very unlike the display over the past 2 months.

Has some sort of electrical surge occured which seems to have sorted my cluster ?.

The car felt better to drive afterwards, as if everything was just running right LOL.

Anyone any idea ?.

Thanks

Carl

could be SBC pump. Here in the states MB has given us a 10 year/unlimited mileage warranty on our SBC pumps due to so many problems.

My pump does groan for a few seconds on start up after its been stood over night but i asked on the forums and was told its perfectly normal and that the car is only "waking up".

I checked with my dealer and here in the UK there was a recall campaing which my car had done in 2005 (he wouldnt say exactly what was done) so i hope that the SBC pump is ok.

It only happened once and everything is 100% right now. The cluster is always on compared to it nearly almost always being off so thats a bonus.

Thanks

Carl

ya, the startup is normal