What does the plus and minus sign on the car dashboard mean when it lights up?
2 Answers
It is the charging system fault indicator symbol. When the ignition switch is turned to positions 1 or 2, the light will illuminate, and it will turn off after the vehicle starts, which is a normal phenomenon. Below is some relevant information: The car battery, also known as a storage battery, is primarily made of lead and its oxides, with sulfuric acid solution as the electrolyte. Its working principle involves converting chemical energy into electrical energy. Classification: There are three types - conventional batteries, dry-charged batteries, and maintenance-free batteries. Conventional batteries have plates composed of lead and lead oxides, with an electrolyte of sulfuric acid solution. Dry-charged batteries are characterized by their negative plates having a high capacity for storing electricity. In a completely dry state, they can retain the stored charge for up to two years. To use, simply add the electrolyte and wait 20-30 minutes. Maintenance-free batteries, due to their structural advantages, consume very little electrolyte and generally do not require additional distilled water during their service life.
Hey, I'm an experienced driver who's been through it all. Back in the day when the plus-minus symbol light lit up on the dashboard, I used to get pretty nervous—that usually indicates the engine malfunction light, meaning the car's computer has detected an issue with the engine system, like excessive emissions or a failed sensor. I remember one time the light came on and I ignored it, only for the engine to start shaking badly. When I finally took it in for repairs, it turned out the oxygen sensor was broken, costing me over a thousand bucks to fix. My advice? Pay attention to the light's color the moment you see it: a yellow warning means you can still drive for a bit, but get it checked at a shop ASAP; red is a serious warning—stop immediately and investigate. Don't try to tinker with it yourself, or you might make things worse. Make it a habit to regularly check your oil and coolant levels—it can prevent a lot of headaches down the road.
