Chrysler Dashboard Warning Lights Meaning
The dashboard warning lights in a Chrysler vehicle are designed to inform the driver of any potential issues or malfunctions within the car’s systems. These symbols provide critical information, ranging from indicating a low fuel level or a malfunctioning engine to more serious issues like a deployed airbag or a failing brake system. It’s important to familiarize yourself with these symbols and understand what actions to take when one lights up on your dashboard. This guide comprehensively overviews the most common Chrysler dashboard warning lights and symbols.
   Check Engine Light / Service Engine Soon The check engine light, also known as the service engine soon light, comes on when the onboard diagnostic system detects a problem with the engine, emission system, or transmission. A fault code gets stored in the Engine Control Unit (ECU) and can be retrieved with an OBD-II scanner to determine what is wrong with the vehicle. Common causes of the check engine light:
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  Air Bag Warning Light The airbag light turns on when you first turn on the ignition, but after a quick system check, it turns off if all the airbag components function properly. If the airbag light stays, it means the airbags have been disabled and may not deploy in case of an accident. To troubleshoot the airbag light, you must read the fault codes with an airbag scanner. Common causes of the airbag warning light:
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 Engine Temperature Indicator This is the warning symbol indicating that the engine has overheated. Pull over immediately and shut off the engine. Wait 30 minutes or more for the engine to cool down fully. Once the engine cools down, check the engine coolant level. If the engine overheating continues, do not drive. Call an auto mechanic for advice, or tow the vehicle to an auto repair shop near you. Common causes of the engine temperature indicator:
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 Charge System Trouble/Battery Warning Indicator The battery warns the driver there is a problem with the charging system. The vehicle may shut off when driving if the battery light comes on. Common causes of the charging system warning indicator:
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 Low Washer Fluid Indicator This light means that the windshield washer fluid is low. Locate and fill the reservoir; the light will go off after filling. If it stays on, the fluid sensor may be faulty/malfunctioning. |
 Low Fuel Indicator This light means that the fuel level is low, and you must add more fuel. Always keep the vehicle filled before the low fuel light comes on. Running a vehicle low on fuel causes the fuel pump to work harder and may lead to premature failure. If this light stays on after filling, it may be a faulty/malfunctioning fuel pump float or sending unit, so the fuel pump should be replaced. Common causes of a low fuel indicator:
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  Oil Warning Light This light means there is low oil pressure. Pull over immediately and shut off the engine. Wait at least 5 minutes, then check the oil level with the engine off. If the oil level is low, add engine oil to bring the level between the MIN and MAX marks of the dipstick. Do not drive the vehicle or keep it running on idle if the oil light stays on. Doing so can lead to serious engine problems. Call an auto mechanic for advice or tow the vehicle to a repair shop nearby. Common causes of the low oil warning light:
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 Brake Light This light indicates a problem with the brake system. It could be due to a low brake fluid level or another issue with the brake system. Do not drive with the BRAKE light on. Brakes may not work or function properly. Call an auto mechanic for advice and, if needed, tow the vehicle to the closest auto repair shop. Common causes of a brake light:
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 Economy Mode Operation Indicator In economy mode, the vehicle will adjust engine and transmission performance for the best fuel economy. For example, engine RPMs don’t reach high values, and transmission may shift earlier. These adjustments help keep fuel consumption down. |
  Cruise Control Indicator This light means that cruise control has been enabled. The vehicle will keep a constant speed. Cruise control will turn off if you press the brakes. Note that in this case, there is no adaptive cruise control. The vehicle will not keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front. |
 High Beam Indicator This light means the high beams are turned on. You should only use this setting if you are the only vehicle on the road. Do not keep the high beams on if you are coming in the opposite direction or other vehicles in front of your vehicle. To turn off the high beam, pull the turn switch towards the back of the vehicle. |
  LaneSense Indicator This light means that lane sense is enabled. If you leave the lane without turning on the blinker, this light should flash. With lane sense on, if a vehicle is drifting over lane markers on the road and there is no correction, the vehicle will correct itself back into the center of the lane. If the driver of the vehicle turns the steering wheel while lane-keeping is self-correcting, it will disengage, and the driver will remain in control of the steering. Lane-keeping can also be turned off by pressing the switch on the dash. |
 Stability Control Indicator This light means that the stability control has detected a fault. The vehicle can be driven but keep in mind stability control has had an issue. If this light remains on after a few ignition cycles, then a problem likely persists. Use an ABS Scanner to read the fault codes from the ABS and traction modules.
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 Electronic Power Steering Trouble This light means there is a problem with the electronic power steering. The vehicle is still driveable, but it will take greater effort to turn the wheel. It is likely the vehicle needs service if this warning appears. Use an OBDII scan tool capable of scanning the electronic power steering control module (EPSM) to retrieve diagnostic trouble codes. |
 Anti-Lock Brake System Fault Indicator This light means that the anti-lock brake system has been disabled. In most cases, the problem is due to a bad ABS wheel speed sensor. While the vehicle can be driven, the anti-lock brake function is disabled, and the vehicle may take longer to bring to a complete stop and skid under hard braking or if there is rain or snow on the road. To find out why your Chrysler ABS light is on, use an ABS scanner to read the fault codes from the ABS Control Module. Generic OBD-II scanner may not be able to read the body module of a Chrysler. Common causes of the ABS light:
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 Tire Pressure Monitor Indicator This light means there is low tire pressure in one of the tires. Check the tire pressure and correct it to bring it to the recommended air pressure, as shown on the sticker on the driver’s door frame. Common causes of the TPMS light:
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 Turn Signal Indicator This light means the turn signals are on. If both turn signals are flashing, it is because the hazard lights are turned on. Turn off the hazard by pressing the orange triangle on the dashboard. If the turn signal lamp is flashing rapidly, it indicates a bad bulb. If the lamp is stuck solid, it is usually a bad switch or circuit. Common turn signal issues:
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 Door Ajar This light means that one of the doors is open or is not closed completely. Pull over, park the vehicle, and check to ensure all the doors are fully closed. Common causes of the door ajar indicator:
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  Hybrid Charging Indicator This light comes on in hybrid and electric vehicles. The plug light may be red, yellow, or blink white while the battery is charged. Once the battery is fully charged, the plug light turns green. Remove the charger, and the light will turn off. |
 Park Lamps ON Indicator This light means the parking lights have been turned on. Turn the headlight switch to a different position to switch to headlamps or turn the lights off. This will turn the parking lights and the indicator lamp off. |
 Seat Belt Reminder This light means that the BeltAlert warning sequence has been activated. The warning will have an audible chime. One or more passenger in the vehicle has not fastened their seat belt. Have the passengers buckle their seatbelts for the warning lamp and chime to go off. Alternatively, BeltAlert can be deactivated by the dealer. Common causes of seat belt reminder issues:
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 Stability Control OFF Indicator This light means that stability control has been turned off. Stability control may have been turned off because you pressed the button on the dashboard or there is a problem with the system. If this lamp stays on after the ignition is in the ON position and the vehicle is running, the stability control system is disengaged due to a fault. A professional-grade OBDII scan tool will be needed to read the body diagnostic trouble codes stored. Common causes of stability control malfunction:
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 Trunk Open Indicator This light means the trunk is still open. Close the trunk securely for this indicator to go off. If it still remains on after shutting properly then there is a fault. Common causes of trunk ajar indicator:
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 Security Indicator This light means the security system is armed or being armed. While being armed, the light will flash fast for fifteen seconds. Once set, the warning will continue to flash every three seconds until disarmed. |
 Electronic Park Brake Trouble Indicator This light means there is trouble with the electronic parking brake. It will remain on the dash until the parking brake system is serviced. It can be diagnosed with an automotive scan tool. Common causes of electronic parking brake failure:
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 Electronic Throttle Control Indicator This light means a problem with the Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) system has occurred. Pull over when possible and cycle the ignition to reset the throttle. See if the problem still persists. If the light stays on, the vehicle will need to be serviced. Have the diagnostic trouble codes read with an OBDII scanner. |
 Speed Warning Indicator This light means a set speed has been exceeded. This warning light can be adjusted to whatever speed the driver sets. It is adjusted or turned off in the information display settings. Refer to the owner manual for more information on where to turn it off. |
 Loose Gas Cap Indicator This light means the gas cap was not tightened or left off. Check the gas cap to see if it’s properly tightened and drive the vehicle an ignition cycle to see if the light goes off. If the gas was overfilled, it is also possible to set this off until it has had time to evaporate from the charcoal canister. |
 KeySense Indicator This light means the key fob is in use. It will remain lit for the entire drive cycle until the engine is turned off if this light goes off while driving, it is an indication the key fob is no longer being detected. Common causes of a Keysense indicator light:
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  Forward Collision Alert Indicators This light means that the forward collision warning is active. Forward collision will try to mitigate any oncoming front end collision by braking and decelerating the vehicle. If there is an exclamation, the forward collision system has failed. A failing forward collision system may be caused by:
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   Adaptive Cruise Control This light means that adaptive cruise control (ACC) is on. While this is active, the vehicle will cruise at a set speed and will slow down if approaching a vehicle in front of it. If the exclamation point is next to the adaptive cruise control light, that means there is a fault, and it needs to be serviced. Diagnostic trouble codes can be scanned with an ABS scan tool. |
 Master Warning Light The master warning light means there is a common fault happening. Check the dash for a message detailing the problem. This message will appear on the information display every time the ignition is turned on. Fix the error causing the master warning light to go off. Common causes of the master warning light on a Toyota vehicle:
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  Auto Start-Stop Indicator This light means the auto start-stop function has had a fault. Have the vehicle scanned with a professional OBDII scan tool. The vehicle will need to be serviced to turn off this warning indicator. If the light came on after a new battery install, it may be the wrong kind of battery causing the problem. |
 Hybrid Ready Indicator This light means the hybrid vehicle’s system checks have passed. It is ready to drive and will use the hybrid battery power and EV motor as long as this light is active. If the ready light goes off on a hybrid vehicle, it may be out of power or unable to drive. |
 Hybrid Service Indicator This light means the hybrid-electric system needs to be serviced. Have the system scanned with a professional OBDII scan tool to pull the stored hybrid system diagnostic trouble codes. Take the vehicle to a trained hybrid technician to be serviced. |
 Hybrid Power Limitation Indicator This warning illuminates when vehicle acceleration is limited due to a reduction in electric motor performance. This happens when the vehicle’s hybrid battery charge is very low. Pullover or get to the nearest charging station. If this light stays on after charging, the hybrid vehicle must be serviced. |
 Fog Light Indicator This light means mean the front fog lights are turned on. To turn off the fog lights and indicator, push the headlight switch control knob. |
Many of these lights on a Chrysler are meant to inform the driver when a system is enabled. A few of these lights indicate a problem or malfunction and inform the driver that the system has been disabled.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding the meaning of the various dashboard warning lights in your Chrysler or Dodge vehicle is crucial for maintaining your car’s safety and proper functioning. These lights are designed to alert the driver of potential issues, so it’s important to familiarize yourself with the symbols and meanings of each light. Ignoring warning lights could result in further damage to your vehicle, so it’s always best to seek professional assistance if you’re unsure of the cause or need to repair a problem.
One good example of a multi-system scanner is the YOUCANIC Full Systems Scanner. This scanner can read and clear fault codes from all the systems in your Mitsubishi. It can also perform bi-directional tests, maintenance and repair resets, etc.
To find out what is wrong with these systems, use an All System Chrysler Scanner to read the fault codes from the corresponding module. Note that most OBD-II scanners can only reach check engine codes and cannot diagnose other systems such as airbags, ABS, traction control, etc. We hope you find the Chrysler Dashboard Warning Lights and Symbols guide helpful. Check these troubleshooting and repair guides for more help on your Chrysler.
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