What does a bulb with an exclamation mark on the car mean?
2 Answers
A yellow bulb with an exclamation mark is the light fault indicator, indicating that there is a fault with the car lights. Solution: Go to a 4S shop for inspection and treatment as soon as possible, or you can check it yourself. Focus on checking commonly used bulbs such as turn signals, fog lights, and interior lighting to see where the problem is. The exclamation mark is a common fault prompt in cars. In addition to the yellow bulb with an exclamation mark, there are four other forms of exclamation marks: an exclamation mark inside a triangle, an exclamation mark inside a yellow gear, an exclamation mark in the middle of a bracket circle, and an exclamation mark in the middle of a bracket with a horizontal line below. Here is a detailed analysis: General fault: An exclamation mark inside a triangle. If this symbol lights up, it means there is a fault with the car's general performance, components, or functions. Mainly includes parking sensor failure, fuel cut-off system intervention or failure, external light failure, engine oil pressure sensor failure, etc. You need to go to a 4S shop for inspection to find out the source of the fault. Automatic transmission fault: An exclamation mark inside a yellow gear. This is the automatic transmission fault warning light, indicating that there is a fault with the transmission or the transmission lubricant is below the normal range. The transmission oil needs to be replaced in time. Brake system fault: An exclamation mark in the middle of a bracket circle. This represents a warning of the brake system, mainly including brake system failure and low brake fluid level. The brake system needs to be inspected immediately to avoid accidents. Tire pressure abnormality: An exclamation mark in the middle of a bracket with a horizontal line below. This represents the tire pressure monitoring warning light. When the car's tire pressure is too low, this warning light will light up. Check the car's tire pressure and restore it to the normal range.
My old Jetta had this warning light come on before, which indicates an issue with the vehicle's lighting system. The most common cause is a burnt-out bulb—it could be the brake light, reverse light, or side marker light. That time, I pulled over at a service area to check and found the right tail light wasn't working. Simply replacing the bulb fixed it. If all the lights are working but the warning light remains, you should consider poor wiring contact or a blown fuse. This issue is especially common after rainy days, as moisture causes oxidation in the connectors, leading to poor contact. If you can't locate the fault yourself, it's best to visit a repair shop as soon as possible, since faulty lighting affects driving safety and could result in a ticket.
