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17 Mar 2011

Is Your Dashboard lights Trying to Tell You Something

A car dashboard normally reveals a wide range of warning lights each with a different warning to put across. When a red light appears on the car dashboard, the car should be brought to a halt right away. Cars have become quite sophisticated with the advent of technology, hence a significant growth in the number of faults that might arise as well as the number of dissimilar warning lights capable of flashing on the car dashboard. After starting the car, all these lights are supposed to come on shortly hence giving the reassurance that the car's bulbs are working. When a bulb stays lit for a longer period or starts glowing, it is trying to warn the driver about some default with the car.
The warning light for oil pressure illuminates after switching on the ignition and usually extinguishes after starting the engine. If this fails to happen, the car should be stopped and the engine switched off to check the level of the engine oil which should be topped up if it is inadequate. However, the engine should similarly be topped if the oil level is adequate but there is an illumination of the warning lamp.
The warning light for the battery charge similarly illuminates after switching on the illumination but should extinguish once the engine is started. Failure to illuminate while starting or presence of an illumination while driving is an indication of a faulty charging system. This may be caused by slack starter terminals or battery, a loose or broken alternator drive-belt or failure in the alternator. The car should be taken to a repair facility and checked by a professional mechanic.
The warning light for the brake system remains illuminated after engaging the handbrake and an illumination after the release of the handbrake indicates that the brake fluid level is low. The fluid level normally drops slowly after the wearing off of brake fluid. Therefore, the level of brake fluid should be checked frequently. In case the brake fluid is adequate, but the light is still illuminated, this may be an indication of a fault with the sensor and should be taken to a technician for diagnosis.
If the warning light for the engine illuminates after switching on the ignition, it ought to extinguish after starting the engine. In case it illuminates while the engine is running, this indicates that the management system of the engine has a malfunction and should be checked immediately. In case the light flashes while driving, the speed of the vehicle should be reduced immediately until there is a constant illumination of the light.
When the ABS warning light briefly illuminates after switching the ignition on, it confirms an operational system, but if it does so while driving, there is a malfunction and should be checked immediately. Vehicles comprise of antilock brakes to indicate when the antilock car system has a problem but this does not necessarily signify that the brakes are incapable of working, but rather there is a likelihood of a problem with this feature; a technician should inspect the system. A warning light for the air bag indicates the detection of a hitch with the air bag system by a sensor. This requires to be inspected after it comes on. With a wide range of warning lights being exhibited on a car dashboard, it is vital to be aware of which warning each light portrays to be able to solve any possible car problems.

2 comments:

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  2. Haha, when my dashboard light comes on, I see it as a sign it's trying to tell me to take it for a service. I understand nothing about the various dashboard lights. Leave all that to a mechanic.

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