CAR WARNING LIGHTS
Vehicles are fitted with many electronic systems, safety systems including anti-locking braking, srs - aig bags, traction control, electronic stability programme and the engine management system to control the exhaust emmissions other systems include Electric Power Steering, along with monitering systems to let you know when your service is due or brake pads are close to being worn out.
Most systems have warning lights and are displayed on the instrument panel, sometimes meaning there is a fault with the system, below is a list of warning lights along with a brief discription for there meaning.
Many of the systems need plugging into diagnostic equipment to find out excalty what part of that system is at fault.
To book your vehicle in for any Diagnostic work please Click the Book Online link below, phone us on 01597 810396 / 810481 or Email Us
WARNING LIGHTS
Engine management warning light indicating the system has picked up a fault, and can only be
diagnosed with diagnostic equipment. The vehicle may lack power when the warning light is on, this is sometimes built into the system to get you home or to a garage.
The vehicle may be driven while the warning light is on provided the vehicle is running without
any misfires, but should be checked out as soon as possible. For a list of fault codes please click on the EOBD fault code link above.
The anti-lock braking system is a safety system that stops the wheels from locking up and
therefore prevents the vehicle from skidding. If the ABS Light comes on it indicates a fault with the Anti-locking
Braking System and should be checked over for faults. You can drive the vehicle while the light is on but the ABS may
not work and defaults back to normal braking. For a list of fault codes please click on the EOBD fault code link above.
The Brake Warning Light can be caused by low brake fluid in the system or brakes pads wearing thin.
The Brake Fluid level should be checked at once, and topped up, a low fluid level may be due to a leak.
The brake system should be checked out as soon as possible. Also make sure the handbrake lever is fully off,
as it shares this warning light.
Traction Control / Anti slip programme is built into the ABS system, but this time it
detects if a wheel is spinning due to slippery conditions or driver error. The system will apply
pressure to the brake on the wheel or wheels that is spinning. The warning light will show if it detects a fault with
the system. It will be displayed along with the ABS light if a fault is picked up.
Diagnostic equipment is needed to find and rectify the fault. For a list of fault codes please click on the EOBD fault code link above.
Electronic Stability Program detects, prevents and recovers the vehicle from skids. It helps the driver from losing control
on slippery roads or due to driver error. The warning Light may come on while the system is active. If the light stays on it
has picked up a fault and will need diagnostic equipment to diagnose the fault. For a list of fault codes please click on the EOBD fault code link above.
The Battery Warning Light should come on when you turn the ignition on and go out when the engine is started. If the Battery Light is on while the engine is
running it indicates a fault with the charging system and may run the battery flat in a very short time.
If the battery light is not coming on when the ignition is switched, it also indicates a fault.
If the Overheating Warning Light comes on while the engine is running, the engine should be switched off straight away.
The water level should be checked when the engine has cooled down. The cooling system should be checked over for any leaks or
faults which is causing the engine to overheat. Major engine damage can be caused if you continue to drive with a overheated engine!
The Oil Warning Light indicates low oil pressure, and can cause major engine damage if the engine is kept running with the Oil light on.
The Oil Level should be checked and topped up if low. Do not over fill with oil, click on the OIL GUIDE link above for the correct oil grade for your vehicle.
The Oil Level should be kept between the min and max on the dipstick.
This warning light is for the Diesel Particulate Filter (may be displayed simply as DPF). The Diesel Particulate Filter is designed to remove diesel particulate soot. The warning light will come on to warn you the filter is more than 75%
full of soot or the additive tank that some systems use is low on additive. It may be possible to clear the soot by adding
a bottle of Forte DPF Cleaner to the fuel and driving over speeds of 40 mph for more than 10 minutes. If this does not clear the light the
additive tank may need filling up with special additive. We carry out DPF regeneration using our diagnostic equipment, if this fails to remove the light
the DPF Filter can be removed and the ECU remapped please contact us for more information about this service.
The Air Bag Warning Light indicates a fault with the Supplemental Restraint System, and can only be diagnosed with diagnostic equipment.
The vehicle may be driven while the warning light is on, but the aig bag safety system may not work when the light indicates a fault.
For fault codes please check out the EOBD fault code library link above and for help with diagnosing air bag faults please visit
Aigbag Help.
The water trap warning light indicates their may be water in the fuel filter and either needs draining or replacing with a new fuel filter.
Once drained or replaced the light should go out.
Glow Plug warning light indicates the system has picked up a fault with the glow plug circuit or the engine management,and can only be
diagnosed with diagnostic equipment. The vehicle may lack power when the warning light is on, this is sometimes built into the system to get you home or to a garage.
The vehicle may be driven while the warning light is on provided the vehicle is running ok, but should be checked out as soon as possible.
For a list of fault codes please click on the EOBD fault code link above.
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System will display a warning light if the system detects a wheel is low on pressure, and should be checked for pressure.
This warning light is used on Vauxhall / Opel vehicles indicating the system has picked up a fault with the Engine management, and can only be
diagnosed with diagnostic equipment. The vehicle may lack power when the warning light is on, this is sometimes built into the system to get you home or to a garage.
The vehicle may be driven while the warning light is on provided the vehicle is running without
any misfires, but should be checked out as soon as possible.
The Spanner warning light is a reminder light that the vehicle is due for a service. It will need reseting after each servic.
Please leave any comments about this page you may have on our Comments Page, link at top of this page. Have you found this page helpful, is there anything else you think should be added to improve it, any warning lights missing if so please leave your comments on our Comments Page or Email Us
This warning light is used on mainly smaller vehicles fitted with Electric power steering units. The warning light wil come on if it
picks up a fault with the system, which when on you will notice the steering will feel heavy. On some vehicles the battery warning light will
come on as well, this is due to a charging problem and not a electric power steering fault. The system will need
diagnostic equipment to find which part of the system is at fault.
This warning light is displayed if the Catalytic Converter is over heating, the vehicle should be stopped as soon as possible
and left to cool down. Have the vehicle checked out.
This warning light is displayed if a light is out on the vehicle, maybe a sidelight, brake light, reversing light, a quick check around the lights and a new bulb
should solve the problem.
Please leave any comments about this page you may have on our Comments Page, link at top of this page. Have you found this page helpful, is there anything else you think should be added to improve it, any warning lights missing if so please leave your comments on our Comments Page or Email Us
Think Diesel is a great product that will prevent you making the costly mistake of filling a diesel car with petrol!
This device will remind you that you need to fill up with diesel not petrol.
When your filler flap is opened, the light sensor is activated and the message plays:
"Stop, Diesel, Remember, Diesel!"
£4.95
