Iam starting the engine of my '97 E320 this morning and this message comes on:
"Display Defective" and shows and radiator icon.
I checked the level of the coolant and seems fine. No leaks and no overheating.
What should I do ? Any ideas?

I would appreciate your help and advice! Thanks in advance!

 

hi there check your coolent sensor,in your case it will be on reserve tank with 2 pin connctor

 

Thanks! I will do that ASAP.
Do I need to unplug the battery first?

 

Hi,
Need more info on this one.
Have you just bought the car?
What is mileage, service history etc etc.

"Display Defective" means that the instrument cluster is defective OR somebody has been playing around with the cluster (changed it) or altered the mileage reading!

Try disconnecting the battery for a few minutes (ensure you have yourradio security code before so doing) or even just turn ignition OFF and do a restart.

Is warning still present or has it gone. If so for the time being put it down to a "gremlin".

No idea why a radiator icon is ALSO shown.

Stuart

 

Hey Stuart,

Yes, I bought the car about 3 weeks ago. The car history is fine - CARFAX shows no problems , nothing.Has only 103,000 miles.
But really looks like that the coolant sensor has something to do with this message.
I will try disconnecting the battery and see what will happen.
What do you mean by "gremlin"?

Thanks!
John

 

Hi John,

I don't believe the "display defective" has anything to do with your water level level sensor.

The water level sensor MAY be defective and causing the water warning to illuminate (are you surethat this icon is for water level?) BUT the "display defective": is what it says.
Likely cause is as i have already stated.

How does the Carfax process know that the mileage has not been tampered with?
Does it require a mileage reading to be taken every year or similar and recorded by the authorities?
Even if this is the case how much mileage was added since the previous recorded reading.
Maybe the mileage reading has not been tampered with and the instrument cluster is just not coded (somehow lost its coding).

Afraid this is a main dealer problem since you will have to start by reading the Body Electrical diagnosis codes and if necessary recoding/replacing the pack. (Only possible with top end diagnosis equipment)

Gremlin = Bug = Fault in software code. Only relevant if problem has self corrected. after battery off.

Good luck,

Stuart