Worthing | Sompting | West Sussex
Car Warning Light Diagnosis & Repairs
Got a warning light on your dashboard? Whether it's the engine management light, ABS, airbag or a symbol you don't recognise, our technicians in Worthing and Sompting will find out why it's on and get your car booked in for the repair it needs.
Fault Finding on All Makes
Warning Light On? We'll Find Out Why
A warning light is your car telling you something needs attention, but the light on its own rarely tells the whole story. Our technicians use dealer-level scan tools to read the fault codes, then test the components involved to pinpoint the actual cause, rather than simply clearing the light and hoping it stays off. Once we know what's wrong, we'll explain it in plain English and book your car in for the repair at our Worthing or Sompting garage.
When Should You Get a Warning Light Checked?
A red warning light means stop as soon as it's safe to do so, while an amber light means something needs attention soon. If you notice any of the following, book your car in for a warning light check.
A warning light has come on and stayed on
A warning light is flashing
A light keeps coming on and going off
Your car has gone into limp mode
Several warning lights have come on at once
Common Dashboard Warning Lights
Warning light symbols vary slightly between manufacturers, but these are some of the most common ones we see at our Worthing and Sompting garages. As a general rule, red means stop as soon as it's safe to do so, and amber means get it checked soon. Whatever the light, we'll diagnose the cause and get your car booked in for the repair.
Amber: Get It Checked
Engine Management Light
Often called the check engine light, this comes on when your car's computer detects a fault affecting the engine or emissions. Causes range from a faulty sensor to a misfire. If it's flashing, reduce your speed and get it checked straight away, as a misfire can damage the catalytic converter.
Red: Stop When Safe
Oil Pressure Warning Light
Usually shown as an oil can, this means the engine isn't getting enough oil pressure. Stop as soon as it's safe, switch off the engine and check the oil level. Driving on with this light on can cause serious engine damage.
Red: Stop When Safe
Engine Temperature Warning Light
This warns that your engine is overheating or the coolant level is low. Pull over safely and let the engine cool before checking anything. Common causes include coolant leaks, a faulty thermostat, water pump or cooling fan.
Red: Stop When Safe
Battery Charging Warning Light
The battery symbol usually means the charging system has a fault, rather than the battery itself. The alternator, auxiliary belt or wiring could be to blame, and the car may only run for a short time before it cuts out.
Red: Stop When Safe
Brake System Warning Light
A red brake warning light can mean the handbrake is on, the brake fluid is low or there's a fault with the braking system. If it stays on with the handbrake released, don't drive the car until it's been checked.
Amber: Get It Checked
ABS Warning Light
Your normal brakes should still work, but the anti-lock braking system may not, so the wheels could lock under heavy braking. A faulty wheel speed sensor is a common cause, and an ABS warning light is also an MOT failure.
Red: Book In Promptly
Airbag Warning Light
If the airbag or SRS light stays on, your airbags may not deploy in a collision. Faults are often caused by a seat connector, clock spring or sensor. An airbag warning light that stays on is an MOT failure.
Amber: Get It Checked
Brake Pad Warning Light
Many cars have sensors that warn you when the brake pads are close to their wear limit. We'll check the condition of your pads and discs and replace them, along with the wear sensor, where needed.
Amber: Get It Checked
Glow Plug Warning Light
On diesel cars this coil symbol lights up briefly when you start the engine. If it flashes or stays on, there may be a fault with the glow plugs, glow plug relay or engine, and the car may be hard to start in cold weather.
Amber: Get It Checked
DPF Warning Light
The diesel particulate filter traps soot from the exhaust and cleans itself on longer drives. Lots of short journeys can stop this happening, and if the warning is ignored the filter can block and put the car into limp mode.
Amber: Get It Checked
Tyre Pressure Warning Light
This means one or more tyres has lost pressure. Check and inflate your tyres to the correct pressure. If the light stays on or keeps coming back, you may have a slow puncture or a faulty tyre pressure sensor.
Amber or Red
Power Steering Warning Light
Shown as a steering wheel symbol, this warns of a fault with the power steering, and the steering may suddenly feel heavy. On modern cars with electric power steering, the cause is often a sensor, motor or electrical fault.
Got a Warning Light on Your Dashboard?
Book a warning light check at our Worthing or Sompting garage today.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Warning Light FAQs
Is it safe to drive with a warning light on?
It depends on the light. Red warning lights, such as oil pressure, engine temperature or brake system warnings, mean you should stop as soon as it's safe and not drive on until the cause has been found. Amber lights usually mean the car can be driven carefully for a short time, but you should book it in soon. If a light is flashing, or the car feels different to drive, treat it as urgent.
What do the different warning light colours mean?
Most manufacturers use a traffic light system. Red means a serious fault or safety issue that needs attention straight away. Amber or orange means a fault has been detected and should be checked soon. Green and blue lights are simply there to show a system is switched on, such as your headlights or cruise control.
Can you just reset or clear the warning light?
We can, but clearing a warning light without fixing the cause means it will usually come back. We read the fault codes and test the components involved so we can repair the actual problem, then clear the codes and make sure the light stays off.
My warning light went off on its own. Should I still get it checked?
Yes. Even if the light has gone out, your car will usually have stored a fault code. Intermittent faults often get worse over time, so it's worth booking in while the code is still stored and we can see what triggered it.
Will a warning light fail my MOT?
On most modern cars, yes. An engine management, ABS, airbag, electronic stability control, power steering or tyre pressure warning light that stays on can all lead to an MOT failure. If you've got a light on and your MOT is coming up, book in for fault finding first so it can be put right before the test.
How much does warning light diagnosis cost?
Every fault is different, so we'll explain what the initial fault finding involves when you book. Once we've found the cause, we'll talk you through the repair and the cost before any work is carried out, so there are no surprises.
Can you diagnose warning lights on any make of car?
Yes. Our technicians use dealer-level scan tools to diagnose warning lights on all makes and models at both our Worthing and Sompting garages, and our German Car Specialists in Sompting work on Audi, BMW, Mercedes, MINI, Porsche and Volkswagen every day.
