Hello! + Dashboard lights question, what SHOULD light up?

16th May 2012, 05:13

Hi everyone. New Saxo owner here.. hope I'm not late to the party?

lol!

I have just this week climbed another step of the French car ladder by letting my (mechanically sound!) 96' 954cc AX rust in peace... so naturally I went out and bought a 98 Saxo VTR with 150k on the clock and bundles of issues. Not mad at all right?

Anyway.. I don't want to come here and start asking a million and one questions.. just one for now!

All these electronics etc are new to me in the Saxo.. esp the dashboard!
I have been browsing the forums here on general issues and one post which I now cant find any more talked about the dash lights that should flash or light up on ignition..
I just want to know what dash lights are expected to flash on briefly during ignition. I only have Brake warning, oil check (quick flash) and Airbag (quick flash)
I'm sure I saw a post saying more should flash on such as the engine management etc?

Can anyone tell me for sure.. I'm only worried as there is sticky tape residue on the dash.. so lights have previously been a problem it seems.

Just to clarify. Its a Mk1 VTR.. there are some lovely threads dash lights but only MK2's! and still cant find info on what should light up etc. I have found a cheap owners handbook on eBay but I'm not sure if even that will tell me!

In the AX.. I'm pretty sure nothing ever flashed on, god only knows if any of the lights worked or even existed other than the brake warning light!

16th May 2012, 05:38

Alternator Warning (red battery)

Brake Fluid Low + Handbrake On (red !)

Oil Pressure Low (red oil can)

Oil Level Low (orange dip stick)

Engine Management Fault (orange NPN transistor over an engine)

Airbag Fault (orange "Air Bag")

16th May 2012, 05:42

Thanks Outrage!

100% sure I don't have engine management flash at all. Alternator.. don't think that comes on either.. need to double check.

Should I be worried? What can i do to fix this, inspect bulbs and prey its just missing or blown bulbs? :|

16th May 2012, 06:07

Yeh, there is nothing much someone can do to get rid of warning lights that should show up - its easier to bodge the sensors or wiring so it skips the proper error checking than it is to remove the lights showing - other than to obviously remove or cover up the bulbs.

I suppose your actual dials could be faulty, but I doubt it.

Everything can be manually checked if your worried;

Alternator Warning - check running voltage with a multimeter (should be ~13.8v to 14.4v)

Brake Fluid Low + Handbrake On - take your handbrake off, make sure your brake fluid is between Min and Max.

Oil Pressure Low - make sure there is a healthy supply of oil to the top of the engine and its not excessively tapping.

Oil Level Low - check oil is between Min and Max

Engine Management Fault - check and read the fault codes using a cheapo OBD reader.

Airbag Fault - check and read the fault codes using a more expensive reader.

19th May 2012, 05:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by outrage_uk

Yeh, there is nothing much someone can do to get rid of warning lights that should show up - its easier to bodge the sensors or wiring so it skips the proper error checking than it is to remove the lights showing - other than to obviously remove or cover up the bulbs.

I suppose your actual dials could be faulty, but I doubt it.

Everything can be manually checked if your worried;

Alternator Warning - check running voltage with a multimeter (should be ~13.8v to 14.4v)

Brake Fluid Low + Handbrake On - take your handbrake off, make sure your brake fluid is between Min and Max.

Oil Pressure Low - make sure there is a healthy supply of oil to the top of the engine and its not excessively tapping.

Oil Level Low - check oil is between Min and Max

Engine Management Fault - check and read the fault codes using a cheapo OBD reader.

Airbag Fault - check and read the fault codes using a more expensive reader.

Thanks Outrage.

Checked all this out yesterday, double checked with my newly acquired saxo owners handbook £5 off ebay (so much useful info and much easier to use than scouring the haynes!).

Everything is fine and shows up correctly.

My problem was that i didn't check the lights in just the ignition state (I found this out from the owners book). I was starting the engine straight away and 99% of the time the engine management light wont flash that way as I guess I have no engine problems!

19th May 2012, 05:07

Im glad your all sorted

19th May 2012, 06:18

I'm nearly certain I don't get oil level or pressure indicators.... Hmmmm... I'll need to check this out myself.

Good helpful posts there Outrage_uk.