Reset FSS W210 E320 Doesn't Work
 

FSS shows 9 days past maintenance on my '98 E320. I don't use the FSS system for service reminders.

I've followed the procedure in the owner's manual at least 8 times to clear the message , but the message will not clear. The manual states the display will show 10,000 miles and a audible alert will occur when reset. After holding the button for 10 seconds or more, my display returns to the normal mileage readout and no audible alert. Upon inserting the key to position 2 or starting the car, the original past due message appears.

Any ideas? Thanks.

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)

Any other suggestions for resetting FSS on a 1998 E320? I still have been unable to reset it and I've closely followed the directions in the owners manual. I've tried using ignition switch position 1 instead of 2, and numerous variations of it. Thanks again.

Dave
As previously noted by Jimsmith, the doors have to be closed for this to work, in other words, get in the car and close the door, don't leave any of the doors open.
Then proceed like this:
Key on (position 2, all idiot lights come on, engine NOT running)
PUSH the trip odometer reset knob twice rapidly, the time/distance remaining for FSS is shown.
PUSH button in and hold it in.
Turn key OFF (DON"T release the button!)
Turn key back to position 2....KEEP holding the button down!
You'll need to hold it down over 10 seconds, you'll hear the beep and 10000 will be the new display. DON'T release the button until you hear the beep, wait at least 15 seconds before deciding on giving up.

Gilly

Gilly, thanks for the detailed explanation. However, it didn't work. I'm beginning to think there's something wrong with my FSS system, at least in the ability to reset it.

I held down the reset (trip odometer) button for at least 45 to 60 seconds at the end of the procedure, so I didn't release it too early. I also had the doors closed every time.

Again, I never hear the beep and the display never reads 10,000 miles. The display always returns to the normal mileage, etc display. I then turn off the key (position 0), remove it, reinsert it and turn to position 2, then once again the past due by 14 days message appears.

I know the reset worked at one time because it was reset by the dealer when I used to have them service it. I might take it to my independent shop today and have them try it.

Dave,
Start out with key removed, door closed, dome lamp out, instrument cluster shut down & then start the process.

Well I finally got it to work, and the sequence was exactly as described in the owners manual (plus have the doors closed). The key was to very rapidly depress the trip odometer button twice at the beginning of the procedure, rather than two deliberate but slower pushes. The sequence was exactly as described in the owners manual. Thanks to all for your help.

X2 on pressing the button RAPIDLY. On my 99 it doesn't seem to matter. On my 98, I tried and tried and tried and tried....nothing worked, until I pressed the button very quickly. This time it worked the first time!