What does it mean when the car's sun light is on?
2 Answers
This is the automatic transmission fault warning light. There are three scenarios when a "sun light" appears on the dashboard: 1. Yellow triangle symbol: This indicator is the TCS (Traction Control System) light. Normally, this light will flash when the TCS is active. If it stays on, it indicates a problem with the TCS. Sometimes the light remains on, but after turning off and restarting the engine, it returns to normal; 2. Yellow parentheses: This indicator is the tire pressure monitoring light, indicating that one of the tires has insufficient pressure. You should check the tire pressure at a tire shop or a 4S store; 3. Yellow gear: This is the automatic transmission fault warning light, indicating a problem with the transmission, transmission lubricant below the normal range, or the need to replace the lubricant.
A few days ago, my friend asked me about this issue. What he called the 'sunlight lamp' is actually the engine malfunction indicator light. When that light comes on, it means there's a problem with the car, and the range of potential issues is quite broad. For example, if you've filled up with substandard fuel, the computer might report excessive emissions. Or it could be a sensor acting up, like an oxygen sensor stuck on an incorrect reading. More serious cases could involve ignition coil failure leading to cylinder misfires. Some situations may still allow you to drive temporarily - for instance, if the light appears right after refueling, driving on the highway for a while might make it disappear. But if the car shows obvious shaking or lacks power during acceleration, it's best to pull over immediately for inspection. The most reliable approach is to visit a repair shop as soon as possible to read the trouble codes with a diagnostic tool. Common codes like P0171 (fuel system too lean) are much better diagnosed this way than through random guessing.
