Mercedes Hold Inoperative - Mercedes-Benz Hold Inoperative Error Message Explained

Mercedes-Benz Hold Inoperative Error Message Explained

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This article was reviewed by the YOUCANIC editorial team.

The hold function is a convenient way to keep you safely stopped without keeping your foot on the brake pedal the entire time. It allows you to take your foot off the brake while remaining stopped at a traffic light or in a long line of stopped cars. To use the feature, first bring your vehicle to a complete stop, depress the brake pedal further until (HOLD) appears on the dashboard display, and take your foot off the brake pedal. All four-wheel brakes and brake lamps will stay on. When you are ready to move, depress the gas pedal to deactivate the hold function, and the vehicle will move. This is becoming more common in modern vehicles. However, like any other mechanical or electronic component, they can sometimes experience issues. Below are some of the most common problems with the Hold function.

Common Issues that Trigger Mercedes-Benz Hold Inoperative

Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid Put Transmission In Neutral
  1. Vehicle status – One of the most common problems is the gear position. It may only be activated if the transmission is in Drive, Neutral, or Reverse gear, and it can also be activated only if the engine is running.
  2. Door Switch – A faulty door switch may cause one problem: the hold function may not operate if the door is opened.
  3. Seat belt not fastened – Another common problem is that your seat belt is not fastened, or if it is secured, the seatbelt sensor may be faulty.
  4. Failure to hold – One of the most common problems with the hold function is that they sometimes fail to hold the brake when the driver wants to stop the vehicle. This can happen due to a malfunctioning sensor or a software issue.
  5. Failure to release – On the other hand, the hold function can also fail to release when the driver tries to press the gas pedal. This can happen due to a mechanical issue, such as a problem with the brake actuator or a rusty stock-up brake rotor.
  6. Warning light – Another common problem is the HOLD inoperative appearing on the dashboard, which could indicate a problem with the brake sensor or control module.
  7. Worn-out brake pads – The hold function relies on brake pads to grip the rotors and hold the vehicle in place. Over time, the brake pads can experience uneven wear or worn-out brake pads, which can affect the effectiveness of the hold function.
  8. Low brake fluid level – If the Hold function mechanism does not have the required amount or pressure of brake fluid in the system, it can cause the brake not to hold properly. It may also need a brake fluid change.
  9. Weak Battery / Low Voltage / Alternator – The hold function requires over 13 volts to operate the hold function system; check the terminals if the battery is loose or if the auxiliary battery or the main battery is weak, it may cause the malfunction on the hold feature on your vehicle. Sometimes, you may disconnect and reconnect the battery to make it work for a while. Test alternator and charging system as well.
  10. Wire tampering as it is very sensitive to power supply demand. The new electrical device on your vehicle may interfere with the sensitive operation of the hold feature.
  11. Software issues – As the Hold feature is controlled by software, it could malfunction because of problems in the software; this could be caused by a software update that wasn’t taken correctly. To fix this problem, take the vehicle to a Mercedes Benz dealer, and they may cover this update if it is still under warranty.

Troubleshooting Hold inoperative 

  1. Ensure the transmission is shifted to drive, neutral, or reverse gear. All doors are closed, and seat belts are fastened.
  2. Check for battery health check-ups or for loose terminals and wire connectors on sensors. Run a charging system test.
  3. Check brake pads and fluid level, and replace both if they are out of specs.
  4. The hold function may not operate on uneven road conditions.
  5. The transmission is switched to position “P” Parked.
  6. Run a full system scan and see what fault codes are present.

Safety notes

  • The hold function is not a parking brake; shift the vehicle into “P” park and pull the parking brakes.
  • The hold function will deactivate when the engine is turned off.
  • Always use the parking brakes to park or leave the vehicle.
  • Turn off the Hold feature when in a carwash.
  • The Hold function may not be activated on such surfaces such as steep hills.
  • Deactivate the Hold feature when towing the vehicle.
  • The HOLD function is just an aid. The responsibility for the vehicle safely standing remains with the driver.
  • Risk of an accident may occur when you leave your vehicle with only the HOLD function braking the vehicle; the vehicle may roll away when the hold function is deactivated if a power supply malfunctions.

Important note

These are just some of the most common problems with the Hold function, and other issues can occur. It’s best to consult your vehicle’s service manual or take it to a qualified technician for proper diagnosis and repair. 

References

  1. HOLD sometimes does not work: https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w204/644661-hold-sometimes-does-not-work.html
  2. Brake Hold — Malfunction: https://www.sgmerc.com/topic/14853-brake-hold-%E2%80%94-malfunction/
  3. Hold feature malfunction: https://www.benzworld.org/threads/hold-feature-malfunction.2474105/
  4. How Does the Mercedes-Benz HOLD Feature Work?: https://www.mercedesbenzhiltonhead.com/what-does-hold-mean-on-my-mercedes-benz/

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