Checking For Warning Lamps
ROAD TEST – Checking for warning lamps
PURPOSE
Warning lamps are designed to let the driver know of possible major problems before they occur. The main lights are brake, oil, charge and temperature as well as seat belt lights. Gauges will warn if a problem is starting or getting worse. All warning lights are designed to turn on with the ignition and off when the engine starts. Most gauges are designed to start with the reference points and gradually move to another reference point as the value will change eg. a fuel gauge, it starts at low and ends up at the true fuel level.
THINGS TO LOOK FOR
Warning lamps and gauges are not to be ignored as they are there to save you time and money and hopefully from breaking down. A light must turn on with the ignition. If it doesn’t turn on, then the connection or sender or wiring is faulty and needs to be attended to. A warning light staying on requires attention A.S.A.P. A gauge staying on in one position requires attention as it will not show the correct value when required. Any light or gauge must be taken on face value and the problem attended to A.S.A.P. That does not mean when you get home, eg. when travelling at night and the battery light comes on , pull over somewhere safe and inspect the problem as it could cause the engine to stop at any place at anytime.
Overheating is another signal to stop there and then.. Driving with an overheated engine may cause hundreds of dollars of damage further down the track. Two main causes for vehicles breaking down are the cooling systems overheating and the charging systems not operating 100%. If you take notice of the warning signals, 50% of these breakdowns are avoidable. Breaking down on a freeway or a busy road or anywhere at night is considered to be dangerous and should be avoided at all costs.
IS IT EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR?
Some sender units and engagers are expensive costing from $50.00 – $300.00. Going to the wreckers is another option.