Your ignition warning light
When you turn on the electrical circuits in your car, then the ignition warning light will come on: make sure that this does indeed happen.
Once the engine itself is started, then the ignition light will turn itself off, again you should make sure that this is indeed the case each time you start the car.
Sometimes the light won't go off straight away until you gently depress the accelerator. Typically this might happen if the idling speed of the engine is low.
If the ignition warning light were to come on whilst you are driving the car, then you should stop as soon as it is safe to do so. Sometimes the cause will be a loose wire or similar.
There may also be a loose connection somewhere and it might not be possible to rectify the problem yourself.
There is one other common possibility of causing this fault, and that is to do with the alternator, or more correctly the brushes in the alternator.
As ever when driving, if an unexpected light comes on then it implies that there is something not right and so therefore you should always err on the side of caution and stop when it is safe to do so and rectify the fault. If it's not something you can rectify yourself then you will need to call for the appropriate assistance.
Related Articles...
Why is there a Hazard Perception Test
The statistics have long shown that the newer the driver, the more likely they are to be involved in accidents on the roads. This is probably because they are inexperienced as drivers, although...
The photocard driving licence
The new type of driving licence is a photocard, and it has several features on it that it is worth understanding once you are issued with your photocard driving licence.
It contains your...
Being aware of potential hazards
Having the maximum time possible to react to hazards is important and can be the difference between an awkward situation or even an accident and continuing safe driving.
This requires you not...
What to do when you sell a vehicle
When you sell a vehicle, there are some things that you have to do straight away. As soon as the vehicle is sold you have to tell the DVLA, which stands for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency,...
Your engine temperature gauge
These days many of us get into a car without really understanding how any of it works, and even the engine and how it operates and powers the car is a mystery to many.
Well, essentially it...
Motorway Driving Tips
Driving on a motorway for the first time can be both exciting and a little daunting - exciting as it is something new whilst daunting as you won't have experienced driving on a motorway before...
What are driving offences
Driving offences are what happens when you do not meet your obligations as a road user.
This could be something like not having the correct documentation that you require or something much...
Show me tell me test
If you've not heard of the "show me tell me" test, then this is something
that happens at the start of the driving practical test as opposed to on the
theory test. They ask one of each of the two...
The ABC of dealing with casualties
The ABC refers to how to treat casualties if you are involved in an accident but not injured, or indeed if you are at the scene where an accident occurs.
The A refers to the word airway. This...
Medical rules and driving
There are a wide range of conditions that you can hold and still be a safe driver. However there are certain conditions that will may impact on your ability to be a safe driver and therefore could...
Back to home page of driving theory test questions