Diagnostics

The battery light on your vehicle indicates a problem with the charging system. This light will illuminate whenever the charging system does not charge the battery with the required voltage.

If the battery light is on, then there is still enough battery left to power the vehicle but possibly not for very long. Start turning things off. This will limit the electrical loads put on the battery. Turn off the radio, heater / AC, lights if possible and any accessories such as heated seats or heated mirrors. Disconnect any phone or accessory chargers as well.

Are there any other things happening? How’s the temperature gauge? Normal? Did you loose power steering as well? This may be an indication that you have lost your serpentine belt. In a safe place, open the hood and have a look. Is the belt still on the front of the motor? (see image) Is the battery accessible? Are the connections tight? Give the cable a wiggle with some gloves on and verify. Are the connections full of the blue fuzz? (see image) If the connections are loose or full of fuzz this may limit the alternator being able to charge your battery.

Remember you have limited time before the battery voltage drops to a point where the vehicle cannot run. Your fuel pump, fuel injectors, and spark plugs require voltage to function. Make your way to a service facility as soon as possible, or if you have AMA – make the call.

This light indicates there is a problem with the vehicles anti lock braking system. There are many components that can cause this light to illuminate. When the light is on, the antilock braking system is disabled, but you still have conventional brakes like in the old-fashioned days. You need to be careful as your wheels can lock up under hard braking, or on a slippery surface, and you could lose steering control. Carefully drive the vehicle to your service provider.

Traction control, stability control – These lights usually come on when there is an issue with the abs system. This is to warn you that along with the fact you do not have antilock brakes, your vehicles traction control system and stability control are not functioning. These systems work together with the abs system. One sensor in this system can cause all these lights to come on. Carefully drive your vehicle to your service provider.

Note: if just your traction control light is flashing it is usually an indication that the vehicle is experiencing wheel slippage. This is a normal function that informs the driver that a wheel or wheels are losing grip.

This light will sometimes flash or turn on when you start the vehicle, then go out. This is normal. Every time you start your vehicle the airbag system does a self test. If the light stays on, it indicates that there is an issue with the airbag system and that the system is deactivated. Your airbags will not deploy in an accident. Air bags reduce the chance that your upper body or head will strike the vehicle's interior during a crash. They are an important part of your vehicles safety systems. If your airbag light stays illuminated, make an appointment with your service provider soon.

This light illuminates when the temperature of your engine is too high. On some vehicles depending on the manufacturer it can mean that your coolant level is low. Remember, overheating your engine can cause catastrophic damage. If this light comes on pull over and shut off the vehicle as soon as possible. Check your coolant level. Do not remove the rad cap when the vehicle is hot. Wait at least 30 mins. If the level is good re-start the vehicle. If the light comes back on, get it to your service provider asap. Usually best to tow.

This light typically looks something like a genie lamp with a drop coming out of the end, but sometimes it may just be a red light that says oil. In fact, any red warning light is an indication that your vehicle is at risk of serious damage. In this case, the light is telling you that the engine oil pressure has dropped to dangerously low levels. Running the engine with low oil pressure can quickly destroy it. Stop the vehicle immediately and shut down the engine. As your vehicle can not build oil pressure without any oil, it is a good idea to verify the oil level is in the safe operating range. If its low, add oil and re-start, if it is full tow the vehicle to your service provider.

This is the tire pressure monitor light. When this light illuminates there is a problem in the system. This can be as simple as a tire with low air pressure or a defective sensor. If you run your vehicle with low tire pressure it can damage the tire and cause a blow out.

If this light comes on the first thing to do is to check the air in all the tires. Look in the driver’s door sill for the tire placard. It will tell you the manufacturers recommended tire pressure for the front and rear. Top up any tires that are low. If a tire is more than 10 psi low it could indicate there may have been a puncture and the tire requires a flat repair. If the light stays on, make an appointment with your service provider.