What does the sun exclamation mark on the car dashboard indicate?
3 Answers
The appearance of a sun exclamation mark symbol on the car dashboard, if driving an automatic transmission vehicle, may indicate a transmission malfunction. This warning light typically illuminates after starting the vehicle. If the light remains on without turning off, it could signify a component failure in the transmission system, requiring immediate attention from the owner to prevent more severe damage. Below is an introduction to common automatic transmission issues: 1. Delayed Upshifting in Automatic Transmission: During driving, if the upshift speed exceeds standard values or requires pressing the accelerator pedal prematurely to engage higher gears, this may be caused by improper throttle cable or throttle position sensor settings. Owners should inspect whether the throttle position sensor is damaged, along with main oil pressure or throttle valve adjustment oil pressure, among other sensors. 2. Failure to Upshift in Automatic Transmission: While the vehicle is in motion, if the transmission fails to upshift to 2nd gear or higher gears, or if it can shift into 2nd gear but not into 3rd or overdrive, it is necessary to check if the shift valve is stuck, which could be due to a faulty gear position switch. 3. Vehicle Immobility: If the car cannot move regardless of the selected gear, or if it moves a short distance after starting but stops once the engine warms up, this might result from a damaged automatic transmission oil pan. Inspect the linkage between the shift lever and manual valve rocker arm, as well as the cable, for looseness to avoid potential issues. 4. Automatic Transmission Slipping: After starting the car, if pressing the accelerator pedal increases engine RPM but the vehicle responds slowly, or if the transmission shifts gears and engine RPM rise quickly while speed increases sluggishly, normal driving on flat roads but with insufficient power uphill and high engine RPM, this could be due to abnormal automatic transmission fluid levels, causing one-way overrunning clutch slippage. A damaged clutch piston seal may also lead to oil leakage.
Last time I saw this sun-with-exclamation-mark symbol, I almost panicked. It's actually the lighting fault warning light, shaped like a sun with an exclamation point in the middle. The most common situation is when a bulb burns out - could be headlights, taillights, or even license plate lights. I recommend checking brake lights first since others can help confirm if they're working. Changing bulbs is simple - just open the trunk or hood, locate the corresponding position and unscrew it. Special note: Volkswagen models often have fog light issues, while BMWs frequently report license plate light problems. Remember when my girlfriend's car had this light on? Turned out it was just poor contact from the trunk light not being closed properly.
Veteran drivers of older cars are all too familiar with this sun-exclamation warning light—nine times out of ten, it signals an issue with the lighting system. Focus your inspection on three key areas: First, check if wiring in the taillight assembly has been crushed by heavy items in the trunk. Next, examine headlight connectors for oxidation (green corrosion). Finally, test the battery voltage—if it drops below 12V, it can cause abnormal lighting voltage. Once during rain, my dashboard suddenly lit up with this warning; after troubleshooting, I discovered water seepage in the license plate light housing caused a short circuit. DIY-savvy owners can swap in LED bulbs to reduce power consumption, but a decoder must be added to prevent flickering. Mechanics note lighting system failures occur twice as often in winter compared to summer.
