How to check for faulty dashboard lights

Dashboard indicators are very important indicators on your vehicle's dashboard that are connected to specific monitors and sensors in various parts of the vehicle such as the engine and exhaust/emissions system. The instrument panel lights come on when one or more parts of the vehicle require service. This maintenance can range from simple, quick repairs, such as topping up fluids such as oil or windshield wiper fluid, to more complex repairs that require a mechanic, such as those from AvtoTachki.

When the Check Engine light is on, which is usually indicated by an engine image or "Check Engine" text on the dashboard, there are a number of simple and serious problems that can be the source of the problem, but there is no way to immediately know if the problem(s) is(are) serious or no. Because of this, it is imperative that the computer code be read by a mechanic as soon as possible so that you don't risk damaging the engine, which could lead to a fatal problem(s) causing the car to break down.

In any situation, if you notice that the dashboard lights are not working, you must take steps to fix them as soon as possible, otherwise you may miss very important messages that the vehicle sends for service. Read the information below to determine if the lights on your dashboard are working and take steps to determine if you can fix the problem yourself or if you need to call a mechanic.

Part 1 of 1: Getting to Know Your Dashboard Indicators and Performing Basic Tests to See if They Work

Necessary materials

Vehicle operation manual
Needle nose pliers (if necessary)
New fuses (if necessary)

Image: Volvo

Step 1: Refer to your vehicle owner's manual.. Your car's owner's manual should have all the information you need to know about dashboard lights, including the meaning of each symbol and possibly specific information and advice on what steps to take to resolve certain dashboard lights problems.

It is important to read this information not only to understand each indicator, but also to know what to do if or when certain indicators are triggered.

FunctionsA: If you have lost your car owner's manual or don't have it, look it up online. Most vehicle manuals should be available for download and/or printing if needed.

Step 2. Turn on the car. Take your car key and put it in the ignition and put the car in the "on" position, but not in the "start" position where the engine is running.

When you do this, as you may have noticed before, some or all of the dashboard lights will come on. In some car models, the indicators will stay on until you start the engine, but in other models, the dashboard lights will turn off after a few seconds.

That's why it's important to read the section in your car owner's manual on dashboard lights and how they work. If only a few lights on the dashboard are lit and others are not, you will need to perform other checks or have a professional mechanic do it for you.

Functions: It's much easier to see these lights in a darker atmosphere. Perform this check in your garage with the gate closed or in the shade. If this is not an option, wait until dusk or night to complete the check.

Step 3: Turn up the brightness. Sometimes the knob or knob that adjusts the brightness of the dashboard lights is turned all the way down, making it hard to see if the lights are on. Find this control and rotate it all the way for better visibility.

If you don't know where this knob is and can't find it yourself, check your vehicle's owner's manual. If some dashboard lights still do not register after you turn the control to maximum brightness, you need to perform other checks.

Step 4: Locate the fuse box and related fuses for the dashboard.. Depending on the make and model of your vehicle, this fuse box will be located either to the left of the steering wheel at approximately knee height or under the hood of the vehicle.

If you cannot find the fuse box, refer to the vehicle owner's manual.

Step 5: Open the fuse box cover and check if any of the fuses are blown.. Always perform these checks with the vehicle turned off and the keys removed from the ignition.

Some fuses are cylindrical and housed in a glass case with metal tips numbered by part type and amperage. Others are a narrow rectangular shape with two translucent plastic pins of different colors, on which the amperage number is printed on top.

If a fuse is blown, it's usually quite obvious. Cylindrical fuses will have a broken connector inside the glass tube, and black soot will usually collect on the glass, making it difficult to see inside. Be very careful not to break the glass fuses.

In another type of fuse plastic case, you will see that the connector is broken. Also, black soot can accumulate inside.

The plastic colored fuses are usually located very close together in the fuse box and are difficult to grasp with your fingers. Use a pair of needle nose pliers for extra grip and leverage. Don't squeeze too hard to avoid cracking the plastic case.

Functions: If you are not sure if a fuse is blown or not, try to clean the outside as much as possible if they are dirty, or compare each fuse from the fuse box with a fresh fuse straight from the package.

Step 6. Replace any blown fuses as needed.. If you notice that a fuse is blown, replace it with a new one of exactly the same type and make sure it fits snugly and firmly into place like the others around it.

FunctionsNote: While you are in the fuse box, you can also check all the fuses to make sure they are in good working order.

Step 7: Seek professional help if needed. If you have completed all of the above checks, but some or all of the dashboard lights are still not working, you should call a mechanic immediately.

Following the above step-by-step guide will allow you not only to check the functionality of the dashboard lights, but also try several ways - increase the brightness of the dashboard, replace blown fuses - solve the problem with missing indicators on the dashboard. .

If you are in doubt about how often to check for some maintenance issues that may be caused by the lights on your dashboard, or just have questions about the current condition of your vehicle, you can find your vehicle to learn more about when it needs to be serviced. .

Or, if you just have a question about a specific problem with your vehicle, you can ask a mechanic for quick and detailed advice from one of our certified technicians.

But in the end, if you decide you need or need the help of a professional mechanic to inspect or service your vehicle, you can call AvtoTachki today or visit us online to make an appointment. One of our best mechanics can come to your home or office to service your vehicle.