Dashboard gremlins

[jrdpod]

The "stop" light on my dashboard somtimes remains lit, even though there are no reasons/problems for it to do so.

I presume this may be down to a fault in the instrument panel pcb, another poor connection, or possibly a bad earth?

The car is my recently recussitated 1.6 Meteor, which in all other respects is fine.

Regards
John Podgorski/jrdpod.

[jeremy]

The stop light is activated by:

Hydraulic system safety valve

LHM reservoir level

Water level

Lights of death - temperature warning - if you have the 2 light system - the red one

Engine oil pressure.

If it comes on at least one of the others should be on - so the first thing is 'Are all the others working' If they are then you can think about electrical gremlins - if not - check the non-working one.

Dashboard earth problems would probably produce multiple dim lights. - Best to have a look in the dark to see if any glimmers can be seen.

[Mr B]

A lot of stop light probs seem to occur due to the oil pressure switch giving trouble. I don't have anymore info at the moment but the thread caused a bulb to glow faint in my brain

[jeremy]

The oil pressure light switch is wired as a bulb check on startup. The idea is - ignition on - all the bulbs light for check purposes - engine starts - pressure builds up - lights out. To achieve this there are diodes between the circuit to prevent current flowing back and to ensure that only the right lights come on at the time. The diodes are clearly visible at the (top???) edge of the circuit film. If one failed I think at least one other light would be on.

Strangely the oil pressure light is a small one at the left end of the oil level gauge. You'd have thought due to its importance it would have been in the centre.

My guess is that the problem is the water level light switch is giving problems and that its bulb has failed or been removed. This is one that is checked on startup.

[MULLEY]

or, the associated warning light bulb is out

[kiwi]

I tend to agree with Mulley and Jeremy, My first thought was check all the bulbs work that are associated with the STOP lamp.

Like Jeremy said especially the Water Level light, I recently replaced the float switch with a pronged switch and still I get this problem often find myself putting in 0.25 litres of water to the radiator just incase its not a fault.

Most likely someone else had this problem and easy cure remoe the bulb or its blown from over use

[jrdpod]

Many thanks to all who responded to this topic.

I have traced the problem to the "low water" sensor (I think).

Regards
John Podgorski/n586ua.