Let me start by saying that this is a fantastic forum and full of great information and knowledgeable members, I am glad I happened on it.

Where to start...I have two diesels, a 1982 300TD, and a 1996 E300D. The 300D was bought with intentions of it replacing the wagon for a couple of different reasons, mainly my wife and son and their frequent road trips.
So we picked up the E300D this afternoon and rode out to dinner in our 'new' car, my wife while driving adjusted the steering wheel and lit up the EMT and ABS lights...also the speedometer and odometer stopped working. Now this wouldnt even phase me on the TD, but have just bought the 300D it puts my mind in a tailspin. I am quite sure(hopeful) that it is mearly a loose wire or some such thing. The car still runs and drives just fine, and everything else works...what could be going on? Please advise..

Also, where would be the best place to get an owners manual for the 96 E300D? Thanks in advance.

Welcome to the forum.

Am drawing a blank on EMT?

Probably is the brake light switch. I assume you have matching rubber on all four corners like you are supposed to have. On off chance it has something to do with adjusting the wheel and steering angle, turn it lock to lock 3 times.

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

Thanks! Car is new to me.. EMT is probably wrong..its the light for the traction control and ABS. Also the car has matching rubber. I will try the lock to lock thing though, thanks.

No check engine light (CEL) lit up?

Traction is the ASR and with some options is ETS.

That error can also be caused by a faulty ABS sensor at the wheels or the the drive shaft.

*Edit* - Sorry, am going too fast. Your dash/ODO being out may also mean these issues are being caused by an electrical gremlin which can be caused by a faulty K40 relay. Is your battery voltage good? ABS can also be triggered by low voltage.

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

Nope, no check engine light..

ETS, thats the light. Battery is within a few months old...K40 relay, any more info on that?

There's a sensor at the differential? I'm not aware of one, but that doesn't make it not so. I was under the impression that there is an ABS sensor at each wheel, and nothing else.

Of course, check the K40 very carefully, or just replace it if you don't know that it's been done. If it's original, it's due to strand you somewhere.

I've probably mis-spoken Matt. I'm remembering a sensor that tracks drive shaft revolutions and thought ASR used that with the speed sensors in determining wheel slip. I may also be mixing my models up. Wouldn't be the first time.

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

Let me add my similiar issue. Every once in awhile if I do alot of short stops and restarts, I will get the dreaded "every light on" on the dash, along with check brake pad wear, check ATS, etc, and the car is in limp home mode, until I shut down and restart, sometimes it takes 2 or more attempts. I have found mine to be a drop in battery voltage. I never get the check charging system, but when using the ACC diags, I notice that my battery voltage is below 12. I think that my regulator, is going out, or maybe the whole altenator. One time while driving this happned, I noticed tach and speedo stopped working. Then like magic it all went back to normal. If I check the OBD codes there is only one, serial communications lost, I clear it and it doesnt come back until the next time I have a problem. I am hesitant to just replace battery when there might be more of an electrical problem. You might only have a low voltage problem. Check by holding the rest button down on the ACC until the diags show up. Then toggle with AUTO button until you get to 24 on the left, the right side of display will show the voltage. It should be 13.0 or higher. Hope this helps

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Dennis
2006 E320 CDI Black/Black Leather. Nav, HTD Seats HK stereo 32000 miles.
2000 VW Passat 1.8t 300,000 miles as of Dec 09, 2009 original owner
1997 E300d Silver 300,000 miles As of Jan 05, 2010
3rd owner SOLD

I've had a Christmas tree on my dash when the ACC display read below 8 or so volts. I replaced my alternator, complete with voltage regulator and eventually a new battery and the charging system has been pretty good. I've noticed that the AC system is a healthy drain on the charging system though...

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#dieselFLEET
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'97 E300
'99 E300

I am not sure why there is a new battery. We just bought the car and was told that the battery was new within the past year. As for the charging system, I will be giving this some research this weekend to see what the car is pulling. Right now all is normal with the car...well except that the ETS and ABS lights are on.

I take it doing the lock to lock with the steering wheel didnt erase the lights this time?

As e300d97 siad, you can access the battery voltage through the CCU control panel. Is not as acurate a reading as with a multi-meter but you can dirve around with that display showing and observe voltage which can be useful.

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

I was trying to access the menu, but I am not sure that I am doing the right thing...I dont have a manual for the car and am unfamiliar with this process...please advise.

The lights come and go....still runs and drives fine