dashboard indicator lamps question

dashboard indicator lamps question - 81 300td

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tweaks - 11 Sep 2004 16:08 GMT

I didn't get a manual with my car, and my repair manual doesn't address
this, so...

There are four indicator lamps on the lefthand side of the dash of my 81
300td - a headlight (high beam), a battery (charge), a circle with dotted
lines around it (???) and BRAKE (parking and ??).

The 3rd one (???) started lighting up for a couple of seconds when
starting the car two nights ago, and I can't find any information about
what this means. Looking at my repair manual, I see a "brake wear
indicator" light as a possibility, but I had them checked not too long ago
and they seemed like there was plenty of pad on all four wheels. I've also
found reference to a "low oil" light, but my oil gauge reads plenty, and
the dipstick as well.

Any help would be appreciated.

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aha - 12 Sep 2004 05:10 GMT

Bill,
Each brake pad has a sensor which contacts the rotor when the pad is
almost worn out, turning on the dash warning light. The light should
come on when the key is turned to the first position so you can tell
if the warning bulb is functioning. A burnt-out bulb might cause you
to run the pads down to metal.
If you have relatively new front and rear pads, and the light is
coming on when the car is running, perhaps one of the sensors has
dropped out of its hole and is shorting out somewhere. The wires to
the sensors, if not bent properly out of the way, could also short.
Easy to check with the wheels off.

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tweaks - 12 Sep 2004 14:57 GMT

Thanks! I'll check the pads out today!

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Bill Pelka - 12 Sep 2004 19:23 GMT

You might want to check the brake fluid level. There are 2 sensors, one in
each of the reservoirs.Might have to have someone sit in the drivers seat
and watch as you press each of the push buttons. Also, as was said in one of
the posts, you might have a sensor shorting out onto the brake rotor. This
indicator is about $2.50 and is easy to change. The pull out of the shoe (a
tight fit, up if I remember correctly) and also out of a connector on the
car side. This is also tight because you want this seal to keep the water
out...

Good Luck...This is a real easy fix...

Bill

> Thanks! I'll check the pads out today!

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tweaks - 13 Sep 2004 01:23 GMT

Actually, it WAS the brake fluid... A tad low - filling it up made the
light go away. NOw to find out why it was low!\

Thanks. BW

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