What is the warning light in my car?

Question

There is a red light that keeps coming on in my car for the last two days, its the light with a thermometer and water waves, if that makes any sense. i thinks thats the coolant but im not sure, does anyone know what it is and how do i goabout fixing it, can i do it myself or do i have to go to a garage?

Answer 1

If it was my motor I'd listen to a mechanic, so in effect you don't really need to read further than the first answerer.

Answer 2

That indicates your engine is overheating which is obviously very bad.

While the engine is cool open the hood and look at a plastic jug in there that is connected by a rubber tube to the radiator. When you look at that jug you should see that it has green or orange fluid in it which should be near a mark on the jug that says "cool level." If there is no fluid showing or if it is low then it needs more of that mixture of antifreeze with water. That is what goes through your radiator and keeps the engine from overheating. The only safe place to add that coolant is through the cover on top of the jug. [Watch out because there is often a smaller jug next to it for windshield washer fluid that usually has a picture of windshield wipers on it and has a light blue-green watery fluid in that - that is not what you want to refill.]

To do it yourself buy antifreeze (comes in orange or green so ask at the store if you are not sure which kind your car uses). Some stores sell it diluted and ready to pours. Others sell full strength for which you need to pour in half as much as you need to get the fill level up and then add water for the rest to reach the needed level.

If you can't get to the store without using the car then fill coolant jug partway with water just to get that far.

Before driving look for a giant puddle under the car that would indicate you have a broken hose or major leak and that it has all come out again. If no large puddle (little puddle from sloppy pouring is OK) then start the car and keep an eye on that indicator. It should stay off even when car is warm. If it is OK then check the car later and see if the jug level has gone down because the fluid went to refill part of the radiator and hoses. Add more antifreeze to the jug (never to radiator directly) until it stays at needed level.

If that doesn't keep it cool or if you can't do these steps by yourself you need to get it to a service station or repair place for them to work on it.

Answer 3

You are correct in assuming it is your coolant system. Can you fix it yourself? Depends on what is wrong. First, when did it come on? Were you stuck in traffic with the A/C going? Did it go off when you started to gain speed? If so, nothing may be wrong. But here is what you need to do:

1. With the engine cool, check the coolant level
2. Check for leaks - bad hose maybe?
3. Have radiator cap pressure tested at your local auto supply store.

If unresolved from above, it could be a number of things. Have your mechanic check it out.

Answer 4

Car is overheating. When the car is cold (once the engine has not been running for at least 3 hrs) open the coolant reservoir and radiator and check for fluid levels add coolant/antifreeze if necessary.

WARNING: if the car's engine is not cold as described above if you open the radiator and/or reservoir hot steam could be forcibly ejected from either and you could sustain serious injuries.

Could also be a faulty thermostat or a faulty sensor. Both of these will need repair by mechanic.

Answer 5

IT IS YOUR TEMPRETURE WARNING LIGHT, you have either no coolant in the expansion tank or a leak in the system, does the temp gauge rise to over half way? if it does you must check the coolant if it is low top it up, how long do you leave it before you check it again? not long , if it lower after say 2 days driving then worry, you may have done major damage to the engine meaning a head removal and a skim and a rebuild, but please check your coolant asap!

Answer 6

check the coolant level, make sure the car is cold at the time.if is low top it up and keep an eye on it if it goes low again, you could have a leak in a hose pipe but at this stage it would be advised to get a garage to look at it , because if your car is overheating you could do a lot of damage to the engine.

Answer 7

You should have a manual for the car telling you what this light is. If you have low coolant, it needs immediate attention. If you are not a good mechanic, take it to a reliable local garage.

Answer 8

not knowing which car it is, I'd advise you that it's a coolant level warning. Take the radiator cap off when the engine is cool and top up the water level. Please dont take the cap off when it's hot or you'll get scalded with steam..

If it keeps happening, I'd guess you have troubles so take it to a mechanic for assessment.

Answer 9

what car??
its either a water level light or a water temperature light,
1st check coolant level and top up if ness,
is there a temperature guage? if not then the car could be overheating , does the coolant/radiator fan cut in before the light comes on? if not then its most likley the fan switch. or could be the thermostat.
hard to say on the info youve given. get it looked at as overheating(if thats what it is?) gets very expensive to repair if left

Answer 10

well the light go on when you need engine coolant but if not your sensor is bad you may need to take it to the garage .

Answer 11

Sounds like it's the high coolant temp light.