Dash lights stay on until the car starts running

Dash lights stay on until the car starts running

My car has gone around 50,000 miles on it and has several problems. The minor one is that the hood cabin lights don't work. Also, the dashboard shows three lights illuminated–the check engine, battery charge and the oil pressure light. These lights come off when I'm driving. However, when I put the key into ignition and when the vehicle is not in motion, the lights system comes on and off but these lights remain. After I start the engine and drive, they disappear. Why are these lights coming on?

Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :

Hi! We will be happy to assist you. The hood light not working is likely due due to a bad bulb or a loose wire.

There are a few things I recommend that a technician inspect to find as to why your lights come and go.

Firstly, your oil: it’s likely that your light comes on because the oil is low. There is reservoir which holds the oil under the engine with an oil level sending unit about halfway down the pan. This sensor will let you know if the oil is low, when the oil reaches below the sensor level.

When the vehicle is stopped the oil will settle to the bottom of the reservoir, this is the only way the vehicle gets an accurate reading. When the vehicle is moving oil will splash on the sensor and the sensor will be tricked into thinking the oil level is at acceptable measurements.

Secondly, your battery charge light may be due to one or both of two things: the alternator and the alternator belt. The voltage regulator in your alternator may be going bad and supplying incorrect voltage. If that is the case, a new alternator will be required.

Before condemning the alternator, be sure to check the condition of the belt. The alternator takes rotational movement and produces voltage. The rotation is belt driven. If the belt is cracked or stretched the alternator may not reach a speed fast enough to produce a proper voltage.

The Check Engine Light may also be alternator related. I’d suggest to have your vehicle checked out by a qualified technician who can properly diagnose your warning lights using a scan tool to retrieve the code and determine the necessary actions. A convenient and feasible way to have the vehicle inspected by a technician is through YourMechanic. Good luck!

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :

Hyundai engine oil pressure warning light

The oil warning light comes on when either the oil temperature gets too high or the oil level or pressure is too low. If the oil is not lubricating the engine effectively it could lead to expensive or even irreparable engine damage, so it`s important to act quickly.

If you have left car lights on all night, the battery can quickly run down. It does not make much difference whether it is a halogen, LED or xenon lamp. If you leave the light on for too long, the battery will drain and the car will no longer start.

An engine management light, or EML (sometimes also called the `check engine light`) is a dashboard warning light that illuminates when an issue with your car`s engine, exhaust or emissions system has cropped up.

The oil can symbol indicates an issue with your car`s oil pressure system. Your car is either running low on oil or your oil pump isn`t circulating enough fluid to lubricate the components of your vehicle. This issue should be addressed immediately to avoid serious damage to your engine.

When the low oil pressure light comes on, it is best to turn your vehicle off and not use it until the problem is fixed. While we understand this is very inconvenient, it is better than risking the dangerous amount of damage driving the vehicle may cause on your engine.

What should I do if my battery dies while driving? If your battery stops providing power while your vehicle is in motion, activate your flashers and head to the side of the road. The best option is to call for a tow.

Generally, after about not more than 15 minutes, accessories automatically turn off. This includes interior lighting. So if you have a newer car, shouldn`t be a problem. Older cars, without this feature and depending on the age of the battery, time could be a few hours to overnight.

Check your gas cap first. Many vehicles have a loose gas cap indicator that will be triggered before your check engine light comes on. If your gas cap is loose or the seal is not tight, the vapor leakage can cause your fuel system to trigger the check engine light.

Sometimes, the check engine light comes on to let you know that there`s a problem with the car`s internal diagnostic mechanism. That means the system could be “finding” a problem that doesn`t exist, or it could be that loose wire systems are creating a false positive in the system.

One of the most important dashboard warning lights to pay attention to is the red oil pressure light. The low oil pressure light looks like a genie lamp or old-fashioned oil can (some dashboards display the word “OIL” instead of the icon).

Yellow or Orange Lights on Dashboard

If you see orange or yellow dashboard lights it is reminding you that something needs to be serviced soon, like an oil change, or that something is wrong with your emissions system. While not an emergency, you should have a car mechanic look at the problem as soon as possible.

2. Oil Pressure Warning Light is On or Blinking. Normally, the oil pressure warning light will turn on when your car is running low on fuel, or you have an oil leak. A faulty oil pressure sensor can falsely trigger a low oil pressure condition, which turns on the oil light.

Defective charging system – A car battery drains quickly if something called the alternator on your charging system fails to push out enough voltage, ideally between 13.5 – 14.5 volts.

These include overcharging, undercharging and excessive vibration. Overcharging can kill a battery very quickly by boiling electrolyte out of the cells, and by overheating and warping the cell plates. Undercharging can shorten a battery`s life by allowing the plates to be come permanently sulfated.

If you forget to turn off the head lamps of your car, it will drain the battery. Usually there will be a warning sound and the battery will be flat. You can very well face problems to start your car. Although your alternator will continue to charge your battery while you are driving.

OPENING THE DOORS / TRUNK

Every time you open the doors or trunk to get something out, your car springs into life and the interior and door lights will drain the battery. As an example, unlocking your vehicle, popping the trunk and locking it again can draw around 50A from the battery.

1. Your Car Needs an Oil Change. An illuminated check engine light is the first warning sign that your vehicle needs an oil change. It can activate because the oil is too dirty or when there`s not enough flowing throughout the engine.

1) Check your gauges – Look for an indication of low oil pressure or that your vehicle is overheating. If either of these issues are present, turn your vehicle off to prevent any further damage. 2) Inspect the condition of the battery and charging system – If you lose power from the battery, your vehicle will die.

A weak battery that may appear to have a good state of charge and crank the engine, but it can cause issues with the vehicle`s networks including codes for loss of communication.

3) Disconnect the Battery then Reconnect

Ideally, this will clear the data, turning off the light. You can then reconnect the battery and turn the ignition on. After about a minute, the check engine light code should be off.

So, with the right diagnostic scan tool, automotive technicians can quickly and easily read the codes and data from your vehicle, even if the check engine light isn`t on.

A steady check engine light indicates a non-emergency issue, such as a loose gas cap. Flashing check engine lights warn of severe situations requiring immediate attention. Standardized diagnostic codes help identify the trouble.

Hyundai engine oil pressure warning light

Did you know that there is a difference between a yellow and red (sometimes flashing) oil light that could light up on your dash? A yellow oil light generally means you`re low on oil whereas a red or flashing oil light means that your oil pressure is low.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Car won’t start. The check engine light, battery light, and oil change light are coming on. I tried jumping the car and nothing happened. Why won’t my car start?

ANSWER : Hi and thanks for contacting Your Mechanic. If sometimes your vehicle will start with the new alternator and sometimes it won’t, then there is a loose connection in your charging system. Check all of the wires to the alternator and to the battery. Make sure that the battery cables are clean and tight. Make sure that the wires to the starter are clean and tight. A loose ground to the ignition system will cause the vehicle to not crank over. Check all of the ground wires from the battery to the starter. Make sure that they are clean and tight. If you need further assistance troubleshooting your no start situation, then seek out a technician, such as one from Your Mechanic, that can assist you.

Read Full Q/A … : Dash lights stay on until the car starts running

Vehicle won’t start, once it’s jump started it only stays running until you turn it off, then it work start again without jumping.

ANSWER : Hi there. There could be two problems here. It is possible that your battery is bad and will not take a charge from your alternator while driving. In that case every time you shut your car off you will not have enough juice to start it again. Inspect your battery – it should have at least 12.5 to 13 volts to start your car, if it doesn’t you will need to replace the battery. The second problem could be that your alternator is bad and not charging your battery, in this case you will need to replace your alternator. Both the battery and the alternator can be tested in your car. If you would like to have the car checked for you, a certified professional from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to diagnose the starting problem and proceed with repairs.

Read Full Q/A … : Dash lights stay on until the car starts running

Battery and oil light come on when trying to start car, take keys out try again car starts no problem and lights go away

ANSWER : Of course, don’t switch gears without being fully stopped, unless your Owner’s Manual or the manufacturer has alternative advice. However, the gear shift issue has no relation to the no-start problem you are describing. Inasmuch as you only have 6,000 miles on the car, the "constant on and off" that you believe has occurred is meaningless in comparison to the expected total vehicle service life. That is, assume what you perceive as "constant on and off", during merely 6,000 miles, might be equivalent to using the car "normally" for three years. A new car should be trouble free for at least 5 years, unless there is a defect, so your "constant on and off" is not a causal factor for any fault on the vehicle. What you might have is a defect in the ignition switch, or perhaps the immobilizer system, but if the problem is not in the switch itself, clearly there is an electrical problem.

If your vehicle is under warranty, by law the dealer MUST repair the issue you are describing within a prescribed time frame and number of "attempts", otherwise the dealer will run afoul of Federal and state Lemon Laws that give you very specific rights, and recourse (contact an Attorney; we are Mechanics, NOT attorneys). Consequently, if the vehicle is still under warranty, to save yourself money do be sure to seek a resolution from the dealer. If the vehicle is not under warranty, obviously a certified Mechanic from YourMechanic could identify the electrical fault and resolve this for you. If you want to go that route, please simply request a no start diagnostic -electrical system and the responding certified mechanic will get this taken care of for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

Read Full Q/A … : Dash lights stay on until the car starts running

Charging warning light comes on when i turn the key and try to start the car and the car want start but when someone tried to give

ANSWER : Hi there:

If you recently replaced your battery, the issue may be caused by a malfunctioning alternator or other electrical component that comprises the charging system on your Nissan Sentra. The best way to find out which item specifically is faulty, is to have a professional mobile mechanic complete a car is hard to start inspection. This will allow the mechanic to determine the precise source of what’s going on with your Sentra and recommend or complete the right repairs.

Read Full Q/A … : Dash lights stay on until the car starts running

My car will not start Intermittently. I purchased a new battery 2 weeks ago and yesterday the car wouldn’t start. Got a jump and

ANSWER : The issue you are having is probably due to an intermittent fault in the starter motor itself or a deficiency in the starter electrical circuit, for example a large voltage drop due to a poor ground or a high resistance connection. These issues can be readily diagnosed and resolved on a mobile basis if you request a hard starting diagnostic. If you request that diagnostic, the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you promptly. Based on Toyota’s Factory Service Manual, the battery should not be disconnected if the vehicle engine is running. The battery acts as a large resistive voltage sink and consequently taking the battery out of the circuit, while the alternator is still running, can create a voltage spike on the car’s electrical system which is not good for voltage sensitive components such as the engine computer. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

Read Full Q/A … : Dash lights stay on until the car starts running

First, the fuse 19 keeps blowing. When I hit the brake pedal my dash lights up. The third brake light acts like a running light.

ANSWER : Hi there. Check the wiring on the vehicle to the tail and brake lights. There is a cross short that is causing the lights to blow the fuses and make the tail lights brighter than normal. If you need further assistance with your electrical issues, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.

Read Full Q/A … : Dash lights stay on until the car starts running

Car want start unless boosted, alternator good and battery good, while boosted the car crank in the key off position.

ANSWER : You should request a starter circuit diagnostic to get this resolved. If you want to attempt to diagnose it yourself, first perform a load test on the battery just to be sure that the battery is not an issue. If the battery happens to be discharged when you attempt that test, suspect a parasitic current draw in your car’s electrical system which is depleting the battery while the car is off, thus making it impossible to start the car at next use. If the battery does pass a load test and yet there is no starter operation with the key held in the "start" position, the procedure is to test for power and voltage drops to the starter motor/solenoid. If there is no power, or a large voltage drop is measured, then the electrical circuit supplying the motor has a fault. That circuit begins at the battery and includes grounds, wiring (some of which is very heavy cabling), fuses, relays, the ignition switch, neutral start switch, and terminations. Basically, with a fully charged battery, and with the key held in the "start" position, the starter is either getting power or it isn’t. With the key in the "start" position, if the starter motor is getting power but the starter doesn’t work, then the starter is condemned and replaced. Note that starters can and sometimes do develop intermittent faults due to bad spots on the armature. The bottom line is if there is battery voltage to the starter (and no excessive voltage drop) and yet the starter doesn’t work, it’s dead. If you want these steps performed by a certified Mechanic, dispatched by YourMechanic right to your location, please request a starter circuit diagnostic and the responding certified mechanic will get this taken care of for you.

With regard to the power steering issue, in 2014 GM recalled many vehicles, including your model, to address problems with the power steering system. Depending on the vehicle GM was to replace either the power steering motor, the steering column, the power steering motor control unit or a combination of the steering column and the power steering motor control unit. You should check to see if the required repairs were made on your vehicle but, if not, whether you are still eligible. If you are not covered for the repairs, YourMechanic will diagnose and resolve the issue for you if you request a power steering warning light diagnostic. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

Read Full Q/A … : Dash lights stay on until the car starts running

Battery light coming and and assisted steering fault on dash and abs amber light

ANSWER : Hi there. It sounds like you have a failed alternator. The alternator is used to maintain the battery charge and provide electrical support to the electrical system. Its output can vary depending on the electrical load placed on the system; ac, blower motor, headlights, etc. Have the alternator tested at idle and under load to determine if the voltage/amps are not within specifications; replace as necessary. Also have the battery tested with a digital battery tester that provides current voltage, cold cranking amps, and state of health. Replace the battery if needed. If the battery tests ok, then recharge the battery before starting the car with the new alternator. Not having a fully charged battery can present an undue load on the new alternator’s internal voltage regulator and shorten the life of the new alternator. I suggest having a qualified technician perform an inspection to avoid replacing unnecessary parts. Your Mechanic has several technicians available that can assist you with an electrical problems inspection.

Read Full Q/A … : Dash lights stay on until the car starts running