Dashboard warning lights tend to vary in design depending on several factors, such as the car’s year, make, and model. However, auto manufacturers typically adhere to a common color-coded system for warning lights. A flashing red light typically means there’s something wrong with your car. It’s your vehicle’s way of telling you that a faulty part or system needs your immediate attention. But note that even if a red warning light isn’t flashing, it still needs to be investigated.
If you find a red blinking light on the dashboard after locking your car, this means your vehicle’s immobilizer system is working. This is called the security indicator light, which starts flashing after removing the key from the ignition.
When this light is on, the engine won’t start if someone tries to start your car without your key. It turns off after you slide the key back into the ignition.
Here are a few examples of Immobilizer lights (see images), but there are others. Some Fords just have an LED light on top of the instrument panel that flashes about once per second even when the vehicle is parked and the engine isn’t running.
The security indicator light isn’t the only flashing red light you’ll see in your car. On occasion, you might encounter some of these dashboard warning lights as well:
The battery warning light will turn on for a few seconds after you start the vehicle.
However, if the light stays on while you’re driving the vehicle, it usually means the alternator isn’t charging the battery. It almost never indicates a problem with the battery itself. But in rare cases where the battery itself is the fault, a weak battery or corroded wire may be suspected.
The check engine light can sometimes turn red when your car detects a critical issue with your vehicle. It’s your car’s way of warning you about your overheating engine, low oil pressure, or other similar problems. The red temperature light or oil pressure warning light will be the most obvious engine-killer indicators.
The check engine light may be shaped like an engine or say “Check Engine” and is usually amber rather than red. Also known as the “malfunction indicator light” or MIL, this light is simply a warning that there is an emissions system fault unless the light is flashing, in which case there is a Type A misfire that may cause damage to the catalytic converter.
The check engine light may be shaped like an engine or say “Check Engine” and is usually amber rather than red. Also known as the “malfunction indicator light” or MIL, this light is simply a warning that there is an emissions system fault unless the light is flashing, in which case there is a Type A misfire that may cause damage to the catalytic converter.
– Richard McCuistian, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
A triggered brake system warning light isn’t usually a cause for concern if the pedal still feels normal and you know the parking brake isn’t engaged.
If the red brake light comes on when you first start and then goes off after you’ve driven a mile or so, the fluid is typically low in the master cylinder reservoir for that reason.
When your vehicle’s tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) detects an issue with your tires, it’ll trigger the TPMS light on your dashboard. However, note that the warning light won’t be red in most cases. It’s usually yellow and may look like the cross section of a tire with an exclamation point.
A TPMS light usually means at least one of your tires has insufficient air pressure, so you’ll have to park somewhere safe and check tire’s air pressure. Look for any nails or sharp objects that might have punctured your tires. A flashing TPMS light means you have a faulty sensor that isn’t communicating.
Repairing your transmission system won’t come cheap, so it’s best to tackle the problem head-on before it gets worse.
In most vehicles, dashboard warning lights glow in different colors to show the nature of the problem. For instance, some vehicles have a triangle light with an exclamation point to let you know there’s a problem that needs addressing and it can come on for a variety of reasons.
A green or blue light typically means a system is working as it should, while an orange or yellow light indicates that there’s a problem you should look into at your earliest convenience.
If the blinking light is red, however, this means there’s an issue that calls for your immediate attention. Some people might see these red warning lights as nothing more than a prelude to another inconvenient trip to the mechanic, but they’re so much more than that.
These warning lights are a timely way for your vehicle to let you know that a system or a crucial part has failed, saving you from a potential disaster on the road.
As mentioned, the blinking LED light on your dashboard may indicate issues with components like the battery, engine, and brakes. To fix the issue, it’s best to check these systems and replace inoperative parts promptly.
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