Little red light

Post by **domiles1** » 16 May 2006, 11:59

The little red light in the middle of the temperature gauge - what's it for? And what does it mean when its flashing?
Sorry to ask daft question but I wanna be sure and all my books and manuals are in storage at the moment!
Thanks.
Dom.

Post by **Horza** » 16 May 2006, 12:02

There are about three very recent threads here on the same subject but Low water/too hot seems to be the consensus. Flashing occurs if either condition is true.

Oh, forgot the other one, sensor wire is earthing on the bodywork also produces flashing I'm told!!

Post by **Cate** » 16 May 2006, 12:25

Whats the needle doing on your temp gauge?

Post by **domiles1** » 16 May 2006, 12:48

temp gauge is low/normal at the time. On one occaision I simply topped up the oil and that cured it - but I'm not convinced its a 'low oil' warning!
Thanks.

Post by **R0B** » 16 May 2006, 12:58

have you checked your coolant level.there is a low coolant sensor in your expansion tank.this will cause the red light to come on.if your coolant is low.this light is nothing to do with your oil level...

Post by **tonytech** » 16 May 2006, 12:59

The LED in the temp guage is a low water / over heating warning.
On engine start it will flash for about 5 seconds as a self test.
After start up if it flashes pull over imediately and check your water level.

There are a few cases of 'flashing for no reason' but ignore this light at your peril.

T

Post by **domiles1** » 16 May 2006, 13:00

Yes, thats what I thought- nothing to do with oil. But I checked water and exp tank was at perfect level! Is there another coolant level somewhere that needs checking?

Post by **Cate** » 16 May 2006, 13:01

The oil light is the one with the oil can, the one in the temp gauge is for water, just stopping may have helped.
Check the water level in your top tank (not the one behind the flap - thats the second reservoir)

If the water level is low.....see other threads, lots of info there

http://www.club80-90.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6803

http://www.club80-90.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7203

Post by **domiles1** » 16 May 2006, 13:11

Ah! Another level to check! That'll be it, I reckon! Thats what comes of not having a manual to hand!
Thanks so much everyone for all the advice and thanks for finding those other threads, Cate.
Cheers.
Dom.

Website · Post by **dbroada** » 16 May 2006, 13:15

Horza wrote:Oh, forgot the other one, sensor wire is earthing on the bodywork also produces flashing I'm told!!

not quite right. A broken wire (no connection) will flash it. A short to earth will turn it off.

Post by **Horza** » 16 May 2006, 13:24

Gah, I misremebered what you said

Website · Post by **dbroada** » 16 May 2006, 14:08

Horza wrote:Gah, I misremebered what you said

I do that all the time.

Post by **R0B** » 16 May 2006, 15:31

if the tank behind the numberplate flap is empty that red light will not come on.that tank has no sensor...

Post by **domiles1** » 18 May 2006, 18:41

OK, I've checked the level in the other expansion tank (not the one behind the number plate, the one in the engine bay on the right) and it is full. There is a minimum mark on it but no maximum, so I assume its OK to be full. I checked the tank behind the number plate and the engine oil just for good measure and red light is still flashing!!! Maybe its a wiring fault??? Any other ideas? Thanks,
Dom.

Website · Post by **dbroada** » 18 May 2006, 18:57

I've never had my tank anything other than full (except when the water was outside the engine.

Start by checking the connections on the sensor. Mine had failed inside the connector. It looked fine but took no effort to pull the wire from the connector.