dash lights/the meaning?

[solaris]

hi

had a dash light illuminate today for a very brief second under hard acceleration, it was the orange light with the pic of the gearbox anyone know what this light means and what it is telling me, its always is on when i turn ignition key then when fire engine up it goes out, never had a this light come on before, car runs sweet got no noises or anything unusual going on, just recently had new gearbox oil done , nothing else, are there any electrical din plugs involved to work on gearbox?

car also is due a new clutch im getting this done next week could this be a cause for this light?


cheers any tips appreciated

[Cavalier342]

Hello mate.
When you say, an orange light with the pic of a gearbox, is it like a K symbol? Sounds like you're on about the engine management light. IF it is, it'll be next to the Handbrake warning light and battery charge light.
Sorry if i've made a mistake.
Andrei.

[solaris]

hi andrei

im sure its a gearbox logo with a lightning bolt inside it?

its on the left side at bottom, think maybe diffrent cavs aint the same? i got 2.0 gls 1993

i get a pic uploaded tomorrow as be interesting to know what it is so i can put it to the mechanic when i get clutch done




cheers

[solaris]

found this useful info . light was engine control indicator thatt came on briefly still dont know why but seems to be nothing to pay attention to according to this


http://homepage.ntlworld.com/cavweb2000 ... shlite.htm

[Robsey]

That is meant to be the Engine Management Tell-Tale light.

This tells you when there is a fault with emissions, or a sensor that controls the emissions, such as egr valve, oxy sensor, Coolant temp sensor etc.

If you go under the bonnet, and do the paper clip test, then you wll see that it is this light that flashes the fault codes back at you.

A very brief flash is no problem

A lengthy illumination 20 to 30 seconds is a fault, which has then cleared.

And a permanently illuminated symbol means that you have a complete component (sensor) failure or connection to that component.

[Squig]

Board index » How 2 section » Maintenance ; How2 - EML... Display error codes and there meaning

guide on the codes and meanings

[solaris]

cheers for tips

was a brief flash on dash , i see how goes and if get it again i have to take to my local vaux dealer to get a tech 1 or 2 to see wots up.... more dosh out the window! may call it a day with it soon its one problem after another latley


cheers

[Gaz]

It says in the handbook if it goes on and comes off in less than a couple of seconds, to ignore it.

If its on for less than 10 seconds it wont log a fault code.

Dont go to vauxhall use the paperclip test as thats all vauxhall do but with a handheld scanner rather than reading the flashes.

[TurboDan]

Just ignore it, make friends with the light, its just saying hello thats all.....

[Squig]

as gaz said... it really is a waste of money just to find out what the code is.

An example is the last code mine logged... the ecu reported a fault with one of my knock sensors (v6 so I have 2) and as it happens it was a loose bolt. Could you imagine paying maybe £50 just to find out there's a bolt loose?

[solaris]

cheers for all info much appreciated

[carlos_canter]

Find out how much vauxhall will charge you to plug in,
send me the amount in cash,
and in return i will send you a paper clip.

[cav16]

I have a 1.6 cav . Hav it since september and never seen the engine management llight comin on till this week , its comes on after a few miles , and if i leave the ignition on it flashes quickly , does any1 know what does this mean?

[Robsey]

The engine light illuminates, whenever the exhaust emissions are being affected by one of the sensors mis-behaving, or going belly-up.

Not heard of a flashing engine light on the Pre-2001 vehicles...

Only time mine flashes, is when I have left the pins a and b shorted together on the diagnostic plug in the engine bay.
It will flash a numerical sequence with dash lights on but engine stopped.

With the engine running, it flashes continuously, very quickly.

On 2001 onward engines, rapid flashing of the EML signifies a fault that could seriously damage the engine or Cat.

[cav16]

oh i ment to say like when the cars not runnin andd i put on the ignition after 5 seconds it will start flashing . Another thing is that i changed the clocks about 2 weeks ago for sri ones , but the light only started coming on in the last few days . This must hav sumtin to do with it?

[Robsey]

If you recently changed the clocks on the dash, then you could do with re-checking all the connections at the back...something may have dropped an earth link or a power feed, and is finding an alternative route through the circuit board...
In your case via the EML (engine light)

[hugobond]

This site will give you all the information you need on reading fault codes and other interesting articles

Click Me

Hope this helps

Gray

[Robsey]

Indeed, that is where I originally researched info about the main sensors and components (Coolant temp, Anti-lock brakes, EGR valves etc).

I agree, very usefull.

Also a full set of fault codes for all engine and ecu set-ups, and abs codes.

Not a forum, but a good library!! recommended.

[DAN90]

sorry for the thread invasion, i have a light that comes on now and then especially in the morning ( its a pick of a bulb and its orange ) any ideas? thanks

[Robsey]

I am assuming that your car has check control, which is signified by a row of orange lights on the left side of the instrument panel.
The upper row, not the bottom row.

If it is a bulb symbol, then it is just telling you that a bulb has failed.

Just do a check of all your bulbs..
Headlight main beam
Headlight dip beam
Side light
Indicators
Tail lights
Brake lights
Fog lights (front and rear)
and reverse lights

[DAN90]

cheers i will give it a look

[Robsey]

If it flashes on start up and then clears when the engine is running , then that's okay...
If it stays on then the fault is there.
If the fault only lasts a few minutes, then it may be a dirty/ damp connection.

I asume that this is the bulb symbol you mean, inside the red oblong.

[DAN90]

Thats the one mate yeah, it just stays on for a few seconds thats all, i just wondered why but you have cleard that up for me, spot on thanks