What does a kettle-shaped warning light indicate?
2 Answers
A kettle-shaped warning light indicates an issue with the oil pressure. Only when the oil pressure is functioning properly can the engine oil be safely delivered to all friction surfaces of the engine. Both excessively high and low oil pressure can affect the normal operation of the engine and may even cause damage to its components. When this warning light illuminates, you should immediately turn off the engine to identify the cause and only resume driving after the issue is resolved. Here are three common reasons for the engine oil warning light to come on: excessive oil viscosity; a clogged or improperly adjusted pressure relief valve; insufficient engine oil level.
My old kettle occasionally has the fault light come on, and I thought it was broken. After some troubleshooting, I found there are actually quite a few reasons. The most common one is insufficient water—when the water level is below the minimum line, the light might flash yellow or red to indicate an issue. Also, if the lid isn’t properly closed, the sensor might misjudge the heating as abnormal. If you have hard water, limescale buildup can reduce heating efficiency, causing the light to come on unexpectedly. I regularly soak and clean it with white vinegar, and it works much better. Another example is loose wiring or plugs—sometimes just pushing them in firmly fixes the problem. A blown fuse or aging internal components can also be factors, but I don’t recommend beginners disassembling it randomly. For safety, checking the manual or sending it for repair is more reliable. Overall, the fault light is just a small reminder, and developing a habit of careful inspection can save a lot of hassle.
