2004 Volkswagen Jetta Logo
Posted on Nov 24, 2010
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What is the meaning of MIL on the dashboard where oil and other indicators are displayed

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  • Posted on Nov 24, 2010
Anonymous
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Joined: Jan 07, 2009
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MIL stands for Malfunction Indicating Light. It is also commonly known as the "check engine light" on other cars. This light coming on indicates that the on board diagnostic function of the car's computer has detected a fault or faults in the circuits that it monitors. This system is designed to alert you to problems that will affect the efficiency and emissions of the powertrain as well as other problems in other systems. These faults are recorded and kept in memory. It takes a code reader to read out these Diagnostic Trouble Codes or DTC's. Major auto parts stores will generally gladly help you by attaching a code reader to your car and getting the code(s). With this information, you can get a better idea of the actual problem and may be able to prevent the problem from becoming worse. Also, if the MIL light is on, you will not be able to pass an emissions test should your state/county require one.

  • Anonymous Feb 20, 2011

    HI THERE, it was good to find SOME info - my owner's manual is only in French- but I would like to know if you could help me to find any "MAJOR AUTO PARTS STORES" in Canada, Ontario who could help me...........thanks Karl ------------ [email protected]

    Major auto parts stores will generally gladly help you by attaching a code reader to your car and getting the code(s).

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My sercurity light is on. indicated on my dashboard my car was last started 2 weeks ago what could the problem be.

Cluster warning lights

Whenever this warning light or any other stays on in the dash it is indicating that the systems control module (or the system sensor in the case of lights like low oil pressure, door open indicators etc.) has detected a fault, it then disables the system (this applies to ABS,TCS, TCM, SRS, TPMS, MIL, CEL and BCM faults and others) as long as the light is on. You must now have the dealer hook up a special electronic diagnostic tool and "scan" the system for the fault code that is stored for the problem(s)

Legend of Abbreviations. ABS Anti-lock brake system. TCS Traction control system, TCM Transmission control module, SRS Supplemental restraint system, BCM Body control module. TPMS Tire Pressure Monitor System, MIL Malfunction Indicator Lamp, CEL Check Engine Light.

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Whenever this warning light or any other stays on in the dash it is indicating that the systems control module (or the system sensor in the case of lights like low oil pressure, door open indicators etc.) has detected a fault, it then disables the system (this applies to ABS,TCS, TCM, SRS, TPMS, MIL, CEL and BCM faults and others) as long as the light is on. You must now have the dealer hook up a special electronic diagnostic tool and "scan" the system for the fault code that is stored for the problem(s)

Legend of Abbreviations. ABS Anti-lock brake system. TCS Traction control system, TCM Transmission control module, SRS Supplemental restraint system, BCM Body control module. TPMS Tire Pressure Monitor System, MIL Malfunction Indicator Lamp, CEL Check Engine Light.

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Whenever this warning light or any other stays on in the dash it is indicating that the systems control module (or the system sensor in the case of lights like low oil pressure, door open indicators etc.) has detected a fault, it then disables the system (this applies to ABS,TCS, TCM, SRS, TPMS, MIL, CEL and BCM faults and others) as long as the light is on. You must now have the dealer hook up a special electronic diagnostic tool and "scan" the system for the fault code that is stored for the problem(s)

Legend of Abbreviations. ABS Anti-lock brake system. TCS Traction control system, TCM Transmission control module, SRS Supplemental restraint system, BCM Body control module. TPMS Tire Pressure Monitor System, MIL Malfunction Indicator Lamp, CEL Check Engine Light.

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I have a 2004 Jeep Cherokee Laredo. An indicator (with a symbol of what looks like a radiator) below the low fuel indicator (bottom left had side of the dashboard) lights up and remains on. I have checked...

2005 Instrument cluster layout
2005_cluster_01s.jpg
1. Speedometer
2. Brake warning light
3. Turn signal indicator light
4. High beam indicator light
5. Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
6. Airbag warning light
7. Anti-Lock brake warning light
8. Tachometer
9. Security alarm indicator light
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14. Electronic Vehicle Information Display
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16. 4WD Low mode indicator light
17. Seat belt reminder light
18. Cruise control indicator light
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20. Transmission gear indicator
21. Fuel gauge
22. Electronic Throttle warning light (5.7 Hemi)
23. Front fog light indicator light
24. Voltage warning light
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Engine light keeps blinking in the dashboard

flashing MIL (malfunction indicator light) means that there is a serious concern that is increasing emission output greater than 1.5 the legal limit

furthermore it means that you have a concern that may be detamental to your engine

take your vehicle to a parts store ASAP and have them pull codes and then update your post
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How many indicator lights are there and where are they for 2009 f150 supercrew

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Item Part Number Description 1 — Tachometer 2 — LH turn indicator 3 — Oil pressure gauge 4 — Overdrive (O/D) off/tow haul indicator 5 — Engine temperature gauge 6 — Air bag warning indicator 7 — Safety belt warning indicator 8 — Fuel gauge 9 — Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) warning indicator 10 — Speed control indicator 11 — Transmission temperature gauge 12 — RH turn indicator 13 — Speedometer 14 — Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) 15 — Message center indicator display area 16 — High beam indicator 17 — ABS warning indicator 18 — Brake warning indicator 19 — Message center display area 20 — Anti-theft indicator
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OIL LEAK , I HAVE A FEW LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD THAT WONT GO AWAY.

Well, I don't quite understand your problem, but we can deal with the lights:
You have a Low Oil Pressure indicator light which has a little icon on it that looks like a large oil can. It indicates that your engine is low on oil, and that if you drive very far with it like that, you will do severe damage to the engine.
You have a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) sometimes called a check engine light, which has a little icon on it that looks like an engine. It comes on to tell you that there is a problem with your emissions systems. It no doubt is also storing codes for the problem, if it is on, and you have to plug a OBDII code reader into you DTC socket somewhere under your dashboard to read the codes. Autozone will plug their code reader in and get you the codes. They don't charge for that.
If you can leave a comment and describe other lights that might be on, I will try to tell you what they mean. If you can be more descriptive of the oil leak you mentioned (where it is? How much?), I will try to help you with that. As it stands, I would guess that the oil leak and the light are connected and that you are running dangerously low on oil, but that's only a guess at this point.
Hope this helps you.
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I have a 2001 hyundai elantra and the warning lights on the dashboard. I know what the oil light looks like and the airbags. What are the other two lights.

Your best bet is to go HERE and signup for a free account then Downloading your Manual - service sheets, diagrams, parts lists etc.
Hyundai is one of the best with providing their customers with free information about the vehicles!!

I have D/L the manual, and the warning lamps on the instrument cluster are...
Left to right...(starting under temp. Gauge)

WITHOUT TRIP COMPUTER
11. Traction Control Indicator Light (If installed)

12. ABS Warning Light (If installed)

13. Seat Belt Warning Light

14. Oil Pressure Warning Light

15. Charging System Warning Light

16. Parking Brake/Brake Fluid Level Warning
Light

17. Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)

18. SRS (Airbag) Warning Light

19. Trip Odometer/Odometer

20. Trip Odometer Reset Knob

21. Low Fuel Warning Light

WITH TRIP COMPUTER

7. Front Fog Indicator Light (If installed)

8. Door Ajar Warning Light

9. Trunk Lid Open Warning Light

10. Parking Brake/Brake Fluid Level Warning
Light

11. Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)

12. Charging System Warning Light

13. Oil Pressure Warning Light

14. SRS (Airbag) Warning Light

15. Cruise Indicator Light (If installed)

16. Seat Belt Warning Light

17. ABS Warning Light (If installed)

18. Traction Control Indicator Light (If installed)

19. Automatic Transaxle Position Indicator Light
(Auto T/A only)

22. Low Fuel Warning Light


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