DaveJ,

I had the same experience. The trick is to make sure you are starting with the key in the correct position, and I cannot recall what that is at the moment. But I, like you, do my service on my 1998 E300D TurboDiesel at much more frequent intervals, and I do not reset the unit until it goes off. My first time trying this I got quite frustrated until I realized I might not be counting positions on the key correctly. I believe there is an illustration in the manual to go along with the written directions, I just did not pay attention (it may be elsewhere in the manual where the functions of the key are described). Good luck and I hope this helps. Jim

P.S.: Gilly noted in another thread that the doors have to be closed for the FSS procedure to work. I guess my doors were closed at the time I did it. But that could be a real pain to follow the instructions and not know to shut the doors, and get no results. (edit after reading another thread on the same basic subject)

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Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)