Car Warning Lights Repair & Maintenance
How to Reset a Maintenance Warning Light in a Car or truck
Your instrument cluster warning lights are intended to notify you of car maintenance concerns that need your focus. Some, such as low wiper fluid, are very helpful alarms. Others, such as brake, oil or temperature warning lights, require instant attention in order to secure your car and your own protection.
Don't ignore dash panel warning lights and keep driving.This is not safe always,often if proper repair service done on time will save your vehicle from major repair cost.
At our vehicle repair garage many customers come with these kinds of warning light issues and queries.
We will talk about the solutions and maintenance suggestions below for our readers.
Popular Customer Problems And Concerns
My Check engine light is on.Is this engine problem?
My brake warning light is on. What does it mean?
My temperature warning light is on. Can I drive the car?
My alternator warning light is on. Can I keep driving a vehicle?
My oil pressure warning light is on. What do I do?
My Check Engine light is on. What does it mean?
Now as per this common queries we will mention some regular service and repair tips for our readers to do it yourself.
Check Engine Light
When "check engine light" warning indication comes up on dashboard.It is important to get your vehicle scanned and proceed towards further trouble shooting.Generally there is no need to be extremely shocked at this hated warning light. It is prompted by your car's computer when it notices a problem, usually in the emissions system.
Present-day motor vehicles are built with complex inter-related systems. On-board computer systems consistently observe and store data regarding the overall performance of these systems. A warning light comes on because the computer has sensed a indication from one of the systems or components that has gone outside of its normal functioning range. The computer then transmits a signal to turn on the light to inform you something is wrong.
It means your vehicle's onboard computer system has self-diagnosed some kind of problem. The "Check Engine" light, which is also called a "Malfunction Indicator Lamp" (MIL) or "Service Engine Soon" (SES) lamp, is there to signal you when a problem occurs that may require attention.
This warning rarely leads to extensive repairs or overhauls, and unless an immediate problem is evident in your car — such as rough or sluggish engine performance, or other warning lights — you can continue to drive.This can include anything from a momentary hiccup that has has little or no noticeable affect on engine performance or driving safety to a failure of a major electronic component. There's no way to know what the light means without running a diagnostic scan on the system to determine the nature of the fault.
Please Keep your vehicles owner's manual handy.Refer to your owner's manual for more information as to what actions you should take, but usually the check engine light requires a service appointment with a mechanic as soon as possible. To diagnose the problem, your car needs to be checked with a scan tool. Most common possible problems include a loose or malfunctioning gas cap, moisture on wiring or electrical components, aging spark plugs and wires, dirty or clogged fuel injectors, a failed engine sensor, throttle position sensor or manifold absolute pressure sensor, or some other problem in the emissions control system.
As a rule, a continuous Check Engine light usually signals a "hard fault" or failure that has occurred. If the light comes on and off, or only blinks momentarily, the problem may be minor or intermittent in nature.
Note: If this light is on, make sure you have your car serviced before taking it in for the state emissions control test. Otherwise your car will fail the test.
When you go to your car mechanic to detect or conform the problem.
To help identify the problem.The mechanic will ask you few questions to make a mental note of the conditions that occurred when the light came on. Where you driving at a certain speed? Accelerating or slowing down? Shifting gears?
It Is Necessary To Go To Professional Car Repair mechanic instead of non-professional local car mechanic.
Why This Is Suggested Because.
Onboard diagnostic systems are very complex and require a fair amount of expertise as well as special tools to troubleshoot. To find out what's wrong, a technician has to "get into" your system through a diagnostic connector which is mostly located under the dash, under the driver's seat or in the engine compartment. The diagnostic connector serves as a port of entry for accessing information and/or for putting your vehicle's computer system into a special diagnostic mode for further testing or displaying "fault codes".
Please Note: Old mode vehicles before 1995 are tested by OBD I Scan tool and Vehicle manufactured after year 1995 are tested with OBD II Scan tool.
Fault codes are numeric codes that are generated when a problem is detected. If a sensor circuit reads out of range or some electronic component fails to respond to a command from the computer, the computer recognizes it as a fault and records a number that corresponds to the nature of the problem. The technician must then retrieve the code and refer to specific diagnostic chart or "fault tree" that gives him the step-by-step checks he has to perform to isolate the failed component.
So this is why its suggested to go with professional car repair service.Because non professional technician will not understand the problem as certified technician.
It can be a very time-consuming process depending on the nature of the problem. Usually the process works but sometimes it doesn't. An intermittent fault can be very difficult to track down, and may require repeated attempts to repair it.
How to reset the "maintenance required" warning light on Toyota
To turn it off and reset it make sure the odometer is set to TRIP A turn the key off. Push in and hold the reset button for ODO and trip A. Turn the key on and watch the ODO display count down a series of dashes ------ then it will display 000000 and return to mileage. That is it let go of the button and the light should be out. Depending on if you have the fancy display or not it may show the dashes counting down in there. Some use the same procedure but instead of starting in the trip A mode it starts in the ODO mode. Let me know how it goes. If you get stuck the procedure is outlined in your owners manual.
How do you reset the "maintenance required" light on 2001 Acura 1.7EL?
To reset the light with the key off push and hold the trip reset button. While holding the button in turn the key to on and wait. The light should start to flash and then go out. This takes about 30-45 seconds of holding the button.
How do you reset the maintenance required light on a Toyota Highlander?
Maintenance Required Light
Turn ignition to 'ACC' and press the odometer button until the display reads actual mileage... not Trip A or B.
Turn ignition off.
Hold in the same button you used in step 1.
While holding the button in, turn ignition to 'ON'.
The 'Maint Reqd' light should blink and go out.
Temperature Light:
The "Temp" light requires immediate action. It means the car is overheating, or may be close to overheating. Driving in this condition can quickly damage the engine and may lead to permanent engine failure. Find a safe location to pull off the road, turn off your engine, and allow the car to cool. Once you've stopped, you may also notice steam from the radiator or from hoses. Never attempt to remove the radiator cap if the radiator is hot or very warm to the touch - this may cause the explosive release of steam and hot fluid that can scald you!Temperature Warning Light
If the problem is simply very hot weather, you may be able to safely drive your car again after it has cooled; do so with the air conditioning turned off in order to avoid overloading your engine in the hot weather. If you've lost radiator fluid through a leak, or if you can't determine why your car overheated, it requires immediate service in order to avoid catastrophic damage to the engine.
How do you reset the maintenance required light on Honda civic?
1. Put key in
2. Hold down the trip button
3. Turn key to ON position
4. Continue to hold the trip button until maintenance light disappears. This should take 15 to 20 seconds.
On 2007 Honda Civic.
1. Turn key to II position.
2. Click select/reset button until the oil life is displayed on the digital screen.
3. Press and hold select/reset button for 10 seconds until the digital display starts to blink, then release button.
4. Press button again - holding for 5 seconds until the digital display resets to "OIL LIFE 100%"
2. Hold down the trip button
3. Turn key to ON position
4. Continue to hold the trip button until maintenance light disappears. This should take 15 to 20 seconds.
Dont Drive Your Car When Temperature Warning Light Is On?
Not unless you want to risk damaging your engine. When the temperature light comes on, it means your engine is overheating. An engine should not overheat if the cooling system is properly filled and is working normally -- even during hot weather or stop-and-go driving. Sometimes abnormal driving conditions such as towing a heavy trailer during hot weather may overload the cooling system's capacity to control heat, but usually a temperature warning light means trouble.
What To Do:
Stop driving immediately, pull over to the side of the road, shut the engine off and wait for things to cool down.
WARNING: Do not attempt to open the radiator! The radiator contains hot water under high pressure. Opening the cap could allow steam and water to blow out and burn you. There's nothing to be accomplished by opening the cap while the engine is still hot, so let your vehicle sit and cool off.
After things have cooled down (wait at least half an hour or more), then you can open the radiator cap and check the coolant level if you think it might be low. Place a rag over the cap first, and slowly turn the cap until it stops at the first detent. This should allow residual pressure to be released. Wait until all pressure has been released before removing the cap the rest of the way.
Add water to the radiator if it is low. Actually, you should add a 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and water to maintain the proper freezing, boilover and corrosion protection. But in most cases when this happens, it's an emergency situation and you don't have a jug of antifreeze handy. If that's the case, you'll have to add antifreeze later.
Visually inspect the system for leaks. Common leak points include radiator and heater hoses, the water pump and the radiator. Internal leaks (such as a crack in the head or engine) can't be seen and can only be diagnosed by pressure testing the cooling system.
Chrysler Temperature Warning Light:
What should be done if the temperature warning light comes on and the warning bell sounds? When I opened the hood of the care there was definitely some smoke.
Check for coolant loss & Oil Level
If the engine has Coolant externally on engine or ground:
Have vehicle towed or repaired where it is.
Do not start & run
Otherwise:
Be sure there is Coolant in the Reservoir
The Reservoir is located near firewall (see diagram)
If no Coolant:
On COOL Engine, remove the Radiator Cap & check Coolant Level
Refill Coolant to Radiator Cap level
Replace Cap
Refill Reservoir to Fill Level on Reservoir
This vehicle has been factory filled with an Ethylene Glycol based engine coolant with long life corrosion inhibitors (called HOAT, for Hybrid Organic Additive Technology). When it becomes necessary to replace the coolant, Use a coolant like Mopar Antifreeze/Coolant, 5 year/100,000 mile formula (MS-9769),
Look for any External Leaks.
What can happen If You Don’t Stop Driving...
If you keep driving an engine that is overheating, it can cause serious damage. The engine may start to knock (caused by detonation), which in turn can cause piston, ring and head gasket damage. As the internal parts of the engine expand from the excessive heat, clearances may be reduced to the point where metal-to-metal contact occurs. Valve stems may gall and stick, and the pistons and camshaft might scuff or seize.
Severe overheating also creates tremendous thermal stress in the head(s) and block. This, in turn, may lead to cracking and/or warpage. This is a common problem with overhead cam engines that have aluminum heads.
The only vehicle that can be "safely" driven when the temperature warning light is on a late model Cadillac with a Northstar V8 engine. Cadillac engineers designed the engine control system to automatically deactivate half of the engine's cylinders if it senses an overheating problem. This reduces the heat (and power) being generated by the engine, and it allows the "dead" cylinders to pump air through the engine for internal cooling. The system is designed to provide a "limp-in" mode so the vehicle can be driven to the nearest service facility or Cadillac dealer for repairs. It is not designed for continuous driving.
Pontiac Temperature Warning Light:
The temperature warning light comes on but not the low coolant warning. If I turn on the heater the engine temperature goes down?
ok have you checked the coolant level to make sure it is full and have you seen any leaks on the ground or seen any white smoke from the tailpipe while driving
The coolant reservoir appears to be empty. There is no evidence of a leak on the ground nor do I see I see white smoke from the tailpipe while driving.
ok i need you to pull the oil dipstick and wipe it off re-install and remove and see if the oil level is overfull
if it is over full it is most likely leaking into the crankcase you will need to have it pressure tested to see where it is leaking from these are known for intake manifold leaks do not keep driving it you will damage the bearings in the engine.
PT Cruiser Temperature Warning Light:
The heater on my PT Cruiser isn't working and the temperature warning light is coming on. What's likely to cause this and how difficult/expensive is this to fix?
If the vehicles actually overheating , I would try changing the thermostat first and also do a head gasket test . There is a chemical head gasket test kit available which is very inexpensive that you can purchase at the local parts store this will detect any cylinder combustion or hydrocarbons that may be found in the cooling system there should be no hydrocarbons in the cooling system at all if there is this is a clear indication of a faulty head gasket or a cracked cylinder head.
If you have a faulty cylinder head gasket you'd have to expect to pay approximately $1200 for the repair Chrysler expert.
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Brake Warning Light
Most often, this light is on because your handbrake has not been released yet. Simply release the handbrake before driving.If the light is on all the time, it could mean you simply forgot to release the parking (emergency) brake. The brake warning light remains on when the brake is set as a reminder. If the brake warning light remains on when the parking brake is released, then something is amiss.
But if it comes on at any other time, this can indicate minor to serious problems.
In some cases, the brake warning light may remain on if the switch on the parking brake pedal or lever is misadjusted. Nothing is wrong with the brakes and a simple adjustment should fix the problem.
Or otherwise possibilities are .............
Your brake fluid may be low, or your brake system may need repairs. Sometimes low brake fluid is a result of worn brake pads. Refer to your owner's manual for information on maintaining your brake fluid levels, or schedule an appointment with your mechanic — especially if the light remains on, or if you notice "mushy" brakes, brake noise, or stopping problems. A car with brake problems is potentially life-threatening.
Buick Brake Warning Light
Brake warning light will not go off. pads and shoes ok, fluid level ok, foot petal working ok, 1997 Buick LeSabre.
Make sure the Emergency brake is released completely. If it is released completely check the emergency brake switch and wire.
Let's check a couple of things. First unplug the sensor for the brake fluid reservoir. does the light go off? If it does not. unplug the emergency brake switch. does the light go off?
Just got a look at the Buick. The light goes out (as well as the dinging stops) when I unplugged the terminal under the master . That was a great idea. what is the fix?
If the wire you unplugged go to the reservoir the level float is stuck. If the wire you unplugged is in the body of the master cyl. then. You have a pressure imbalance. Try bleeding the system.
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If the brake warning light comes on when you apply the brakes, or is on continuously, it means that hydraulic pressure has been lost in one side of the brake system or that the fluid level in the master cylinder is dangerously low (due to a leak somewhere in the brake system). In either case, the fluid level in the master cylinder should be checked. Adding brake fluid to the master cylinder reservoir may temporarily solve the problem. But if there's a leak, the new fluid will soon be lost and the warning light will come back on.
Dodge Ram 1500 Flashing Brake Warning Light
Why does the brake warning light flash on Ram 1500?
Usually a flashing light means that the E brake is still applied, but you say that it is releasing completely. The problem may be the switch on the E brake. Look up under the dash and at the top of the E brake pedal assembly. You should see a single wire connector plugged into the switch. Disconnect the connector and see if the light goes out. Also inspect that wire for signs of it grounding out somewhere. If this does not help, then there may be a short to ground in that circuit, or an instrument cluster that is malfunctioning.
The problem was slack in ebrake pedal so the release disengaged the ebrake, but not enough freed tension to pull it up to all the way to make contact with the switch (about an inch shy from touching switch contact). Manually pulling up the ebrake pedal to close the gap resolved issue but will adjust for the slack.
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Brake fluid leaks are serious because they may cause the brakes to fail! So avoid driving the vehicle until the system can be inspected to determine what's wrong. Leaks can occur in brake hoses, brake lines, disc brake calipers, drum brake wheel cylinders or the master cylinder itself. Wet spots at hose or line connections would indicate a leak that needs to be fixed.
Leaking brake fluid can also contaminate the brake linings, causing them to slip or grab. The uneven braking action that results may cause the vehicle to veer to one side when the brakes are applied. Brake shoes or pads that have been contaminated with brake fluid cannot be dried out and must be replaced.
Mercury Emergency Brake Warning Light Is On
Brake warning light comes on and off(like my emergency brake is on)
First make sure the fluid level is full.If it is than check the emergency brake switch pull up on the pedal to see if the switch is out of adjustment or going bad.If the light still does not go out than the low fluid sensor in the brake fluid reservoir may be bad.
Brake Warning Light Circuit
The brake system is divided into two hydraulic circuits. On most rear-wheel drive vehicles, it is divided so one circuit applies the front brakes and the other applies the rear brakes. On front-wheel drive cars and minivans, the system is usually split diagonally. One circuit works the right front and left rear brake, and the other works the left front and right rear brake. This is done for safety purposes so if one circuit loses all its brake fluid and fails, the vehicle will still have one remaining circuit to apply two wheel brakes.
Usually located on the master cylinder or the brake lines exiting the master cylinder is a "pressure differential" switch. If either brake circuit develops a leak and loses its fluid, the difference in pressure when the brakes are applied will trip the differential switch causing the brake warning light to come on.
Chevrolet Equinox Brake System warning light
The brake system warning light (and chime) in my 2007 Equinox came on yesterday for no apparent reason. We've recently had the car serviced and the mechanic said the brakes looked fine. While stopped, I engaged the parking brake and upon disengaging, the light went out. I drove for a short while and the warning signal came on again after encountering some small potholes. When I manipulate the parking brake handle slightly, the warning signal cuts in and out. Is this a case of faulty wiring or is there a bigger problem?
Have you checked the fluid level in the master cylinder?
If you move the master cylinder sensor will the light go out?
Sounds like the emergency brake is out of adjustment. So all they need to do is adjust the emergency brake to fix this issue so this needs to be checked next. The other common issue can be the emergency brake switch both not major repairs. These are the next steps.
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Abs Warning Light
On vehicles equipped with antilock brakes (ABS), a second warning light is provided to warn if a problem occurs within the ABS system. The ABS lamp comes on when the ignition is turned on for a bulb check, then goes out after the engine starts. If the ABS warning light remains on or comes on while driving, it indicates a fault has occurred in the ABS system.
What happens next depends on the nature of the fault. On most applications, the ABS system disables itself if the ABS warning light comes on and remains on. This should have no effect on normal braking. Even so, ABS will NOT be available in an emergency situation or when braking on a wet or slick surface.
Buick century ABS Brake Warning Light Is On
Buick century 1998 abs lights on plus brake warning light tires on rear worn to the metal shreds code c1246 c1286 whats problem brake fluid okay?
Here is the reason your light is on. You may want to have a shop do this repair if you do not feel comfortable. You might want to see if there is a reman unit available , there is a kit available.
Note this is a high pressure system.
This is from the manufacture:
Safety WARNING: The following service procedures shall be performed only after the ABS brake modulator/master cylinder assembly has been removed from the vehicle. Do not perform these procedures with the unit installed on the vehicle. Complete overhaul of the ABS brake modulator/master cylinder assembly is not authorized, only the following steps. These steps will break the unit down into major components for replacement purposes. To help avoid personal injury, due to a retained load on the ABS brake modulator, the gear tension relief function of the scan tool must be performed prior to removal of the ABS brake modulator/master cylinder assembly.
So if you attempt to do the work please work carefully.
Jim
So if you attempt to do the work please work carefully.
Jim
| Vehicle: |  | 1998 - 1998 Buick Century 3.1L |
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| Symptom: | | ABS light is on. |
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| System: | | Brakes/ABS |
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| Codes: | | C1246, C1286 |
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| Problem: | | The ABS motor pack or ABS modulator is faulty. |
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| Test & Fix: | | Remove the gear cover on the ABS modulator. Inspect the gears for a loose retaining nut or a damaged gear. If so, replace the gears as a set, available as a gear kit. If OK, remove the motor pack from the ABS modulator, NOTE: The modulator gears may spin when lifting the motor pack up, keep fingers out of the way. This is the reason the chart requires a gear tension relief sequence, with a scan tool that is capable. Rotate the center modulator gear stop to stop. It should move 3-4 turns freely. If not, replace the ABS modulator. If OK, replace the ABS motor pack. NOTE: The C1246 indicates the motor does not move. The Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM) sees an immediate high current draw, not a current ramp up as it expects on initialization. This indicates a seized motor, seized actuator, or something locking the motor from moving. The C1286 sets when the EBCM has turned the Red brake light on. This happens when a C1246 sets. |
CAUTION: If the brake warning light also comes on and remains on while the ABS warning light it on, it signals a serious problem. Your vehicle may not be safe to drive. The brakes and ABS system should be inspected immediately to determine the nature of the problem!
If the ABS light comes on momentarily then goes out, the nature of the problem is usually minor and the ABS system usually remains fully operational. Some vehicle manufacturers call this kind of fault a "nonlatching" fault (meaning it isn't serious enough to disable the ABS system).
Ford Parking brake warning light:
Parking brake warning light is intermittent. Light comes on when brake applied one time and no light next time. Brake warning illuminates briefly every time auto is started. 2001 Ford Ranger. Is there an adjustment somewhere between the parking brake pedal assembly and a switch or sensor?
Most common thing to cause this is your brake fluid could be just a bit low. This light turns on if your parking brake is applies or if you have low brake fluid. When you stop the fluid all sloshes to the front of the reservoir and this causes the flow to show low fluid so it flickers. I would suggest checking and adding fluid. This also shows you may have worn front brake pads so check them visually and if the pads are getting low replace them.
Brake fluid level is full. Front pads are fairly new, less than 10,000 miles and look OK
Ok then, there is a small switch on the parking brake lever. Try disconnecting the wire and see if the light stops acting up. It should still prove out when your turn the key to on for a sec or two. If it works properly you will have to replace that switch. It has been a while since I have replaced one of these so I am unsure if you can still get them without getting the entire park brake pedal assembly.
Found and removed switch. Minor corrosion prevented switch from operating freely. Cleaned spring and plunger and applied small amount of silicone lube to plunger. It works like new.
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Toyota Corolla Brake Light Circuit Short Issue:
I have a 95 Corolla that when the brake's are applied the dash lights up. Not a warning light just the night light that light the gauges, same as when I turn on the lights. Also when I turn on the lights the brakes lights come with out touching the pedal including the 3rd light in the rear window. And when I do push on the break the rear lights only very slightly increase in intensity.
Somewhere, you have current feeding back through your brake light circuit. What I'd like for you to try. Remove all the brake light bulbs, then turn key on and step on brake pedal and see if your dash light still lights up. Let me know what happens with this. This could be as simple as a problem with one of your bulbs, which I have seen before. If the dash light does not come on, insert the brake bulbs one at a time until you get the symptom to occur, then replace that bulb.This will fix the problem.
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Regardless of the type of fault that occurred to trigger the ABS warning lamp, a special "code" is recorded in the ABS module's memory to aid in diagnosing the problem. On some vehicles this code can be retrieved by putting the ABS system into a special diagnostic mode. The code is then flashed out through the ABS warning lamp. The code number refers to a diagnostic chart in a service manual that must be followed to pinpoint the faulty component. On other applications, a special "scan tool" must be plugged into the vehicle's diagnostic connector to read out the fault code.
Diagnosing ABS problems requires a fair amount of knowledge and expertise (as well as special equipment in many applications), so this job is best left to a competent professional.
Antilock Brake System Warning Light
On cars with antilock brakes, the ABS light indicates a fault in the antilock brake system. Typically this means that while the brakes may function, they will not have this advanced safety system until the problem is fixed. (If the regular brake warning light is also on, the problem is more serious and potentially life-threatening.) Your car should be checked by a mechanic as soon as possible.
Pontiac Emergency Brake Warning Light
The emergency brake warning light came on with a chime while driving. The emergency brake was not engaged. I did notice that i had to push the brakes closer to the floor for them to work. Would you know what the problem is? or what needs to be fixed?
This light will also come on when the brake fluid is low in the brake fluid reservoir,this can also cause the brakes to contain air in the brake lines if to low on fluid which causes further pedal travel.
I would inspect the brake fluid in your reservoir,if found low then the brake pads need checked to see if they have wore out and replaced if needed,if low but the brake pads are o.k. then you have a brake fluid leak,then the vehicle would need checked over to locate the leak and then repaired and the fluid refilled.
Nissan Park Brake Warning Light
Vehicle 2006 Nissan Navara D22 3L. What is the problem if the park brake warning light has come on when driving and now does not go off at all? The switch under center console seems to be still intact with spring working. Could it be earthing out somewhere in the dash?
There are a few things that can turn on the red brake warning lamp.
I'm assuming that the emergency brake is releasing fully.
It could be the switch. Even though it looks visibly ok from the outside it may still be bad internally.
The wire from the switch could be shorted to ground. You can unplug the switch and see if the light goes off. If not then you can check for a short to ground on the wire.
It could be low brake fluid level. There is a sensor in the master cylinder that will turn on the lamp if fluid falls too low.
It's also possible for the ABS module to illuminate the light, so checking for fault codes with an appropriate scan tool may also shed some light on why the light is coming on.
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Low Oil Warning Light
This requires immediate attention. Safely pull over, or find the nearest gas station so you can check the oil. Driving a car with low oil can cause severe engine damage, and if the oil runs down, your engine may seize.
If the light remains on after filling to the proper level, your car needs to be serviced by a mechanic. Never overfill the oil, even if the light is on, as this can also cause engine damage. Never add oil unless you've checked the oil dip stick and it reads "low" or "add oil."
My oil pressure warning light is on. What should I do?
Don't ignore it. An oil pressure warning light (or low gauge reading) means one of two things: either your engine has dangerously low oil pressure (for a variety of reasons which we'll get to in a minute), or the oil pressure sending unit that triggers the warning light (or operates your gauge) has failed.
Dodge Ram Low Oil Warning Light:
I have a 96 dodge ram 1500 5.2 liter. When the truck is started there are no warning light, however after driving for 5 minutes the low oil light comes on, the oil pressure gauge doesn't work. I have checked the oil level and the level is at the full line. Is this an indicator that the oil pump is going bad?
If there is no noise in the engine the most likely cause is a bad sending unit. You would need to put an external gauge on the engine and check the pressure to know for sure. If there is pressure then replace the sending unit. If no pressure then there is a problem with the oil pump, the oil pump screen being restricted, or the bearings.
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The question here is whether you have a serious problem or a minor one.
First, do not keep driving if the oil warning light is on or your oil pressure gauge has dropped. Stop the engine, let it sit for a few minutes, then check the oil level.
Is the level low? If the oil level is down more than two quarts or no oil is showing on the dipstick, adding oil to bring the level back up to the full mark may be all that's necessary to make the light go out. Just keep your fingers crossed that you haven't damaged the engine from running it too low on oil. If you hear rapping or knocking noises the engine starts, you're too late. The damage is done and now you're stuck with the consequences.
Note: On some late model vehicles, the warning light will come on (or a message will appear) if a sensor in the oil pan detects a low oil level. The light is supposed to come on before the level gets low enough to cause any damage.
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Toyota Low Oil Pressure warning light On
Low Oil Pressure warning light on and flickering and also i am getting overheat in middle of the day?
The two issues are probably not related, how many miles are on the odometer? Has the oil been checked, has the oil been changed regularly? How far does the temp gauge go up when it's overheating?
The reason for the low oil pressure may be a partially clogged oil pump pickup screen inside the oil pump. To make sure that the oil pressure actually drops too low you would have to connect a mechanical oil pressure gauge to where the oil pressure sender connects and read the oil pressure there. When the engine seems to overheat how high does the temperature gauge on the dash go, does it go into the RED area?
in order to check the oil pump pickup screen the engine oil pan has to be removed, you can also remove the valve cover and inspect for excessive sludge in the engine, if there is it's a good indication that the screen may be blocked.
The overheating can be caused by a couple of different things, the thermostat, the cooling fan not turning on, a coolant leak(is it low on coolant?), a clogged up radiator. Try replacing the thermostat first, it's in the housing on the engine where the lower radiator hose connects.
No, the water pump is not the likely problem, check to make sure the electric fan comes on, if the fan turns on then you may have to replace the radiator, do you have to add water to the radiator, is the radiator low on coolant?
The valve cover is on top of the engine, the camshafts and valves are in there, have you checked the oil on the dipstick, does it look black and does it smell strange?
The reason the oil light turns on when it gets hot is that the oil gets thinner when it gets hot.
Try replacing the thermostat and see if it helps.
The oil pump normally lasts the lifetime of the car it's only the oil pump pickup screen that can clogged up, the water pump usually lasts about 150,000 miles, the timing belt should also be checked.
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If your oil level was low, it means your engine is either leaking oil or burning it. Leaks can be fixed by finding and replacing leaky gaskets and seals. Sometimes the oil filter will leak if it isn't installed or tightened properly. But an oil burning problem means the valve guides, rings and/or cylinders are worn or damaged and more costly repairs are needed.
If the dipstick shows a full oil level, then low oil obviously isn't your problem. The oil pressure may be low because of a worn or broken oil pump, a plugged oil pickup screen in the engine's crankcase, possibly a plugged oil filter or excessive bearing wear. Or, the oil pressure may be fine but the oil pressure sending unit has failed. Further diagnosis will be required to determine what's wrong.
Should you attempt to drive your vehicle home or to a service facility?
It's risky. If the problem came on suddenly, your engine does not have a lot of miles on it (less than 60,000) and you noticed no unusual noises (no valvetrain clattering or engine knocking), there's a good chance that all that's wrong is the sending unit. But, there's no way to know for sure without actually checking the engine's oil pressure with a gauge, or replacing the sending unit to see if a new unit makes the light go out. If the problem is only the sending unit, your engine still has oil pressure and you can continue to drive it until the sending unit can be replaced. But, if you're wrong you risk ruining your engine.
Toyota Prado Low Oil Warning Light:
I had a low oil pressure warning light come on in my Prado last week.
I did the right thing, pulled over and called the NRMA. They towed it to the NRMA Towing and Automotive Centre in Jindabyne. The Centre said the oil pressure was normal and that it was probably just a faulty switch. It should be OK to drive back, but it would be at my own risk. I was very dubious about this, as this happened 1 year previously and required removing the sump, cleaning the oil pick-up filter and flushing the engine. It has been regularly serviced since then.
I heard noise from the engine and pulled over immediately. I am now told that I need a new engine.
QUESTION: Is it possible the engine is still salvagable with a further flush and oil filter clean or does the noise imply terminal damage??
Usually when you hear engine noise it does mean the engine is done but not always. What I would suggest is to remove the sump and check the oil pick-up. But also pull a few of the rod and main bearings. A simple bearing replacement may all that is needed but we wont know that extent of the damage till its inspected. Once pulled you will be able to see which ones need replacing and how bad the damage is. Just based on experience, it will only be one or two bearings that show wear.
About 2-3 more hours than pulling the sump.
If you think you might have a low oil pressure or oil delivery problem because of a bad oil pump or one of the other problems we mentioned, do not drive your vehicle. Doing so only increases the probability of further engine damage. Have the vehicle towed to a service facility for repairs.
Honda Low Oil Pressure Warning Light
Low oil pressure warning light is coming on - what could be the causes?
Most of the time on most vehicle's the oil lamp illuminates due to a faulty Oil Pressure Sender unit mounted on the engine. First, check the level of the engine oil to ensure it it is not the cause. The correct measure to take from here, would be to have the oil pressure manually tested on the engine, and compare it to the lamp illumination. If the oil pressure is truly low, it entails an internal engine problem or low oil level. If the manual gauge shows good pressure the sender unit or wiring to the dash is faulty. You can choose to replace the oil sender, prior to the manual test, as it may alleviate the concern.
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Proper maintenance and servicing is the only way to maintain your vehicle.It certainly save lots of money and allows you to learn the various methods for service and repair work.
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Henry Jordan
Hydraulic Seals