check panel keeps lighting up randomly

[pukar]

hi all,

my check panel keeps coming up with fault lights, usually rear lights, brake lights, but also coolant & engine oil occasionally.......this tends to happen after about 5 mins of driving.....any clues?

cheers ;)

[HairyScreech]

Rear light is likely the bulb connections, try bending the wire contact to hold the bulbs a little tighter. New bulbs seem to be a bit "variable" on the size of the fitting.

The coolant is the plug on the top or the float. Whip the sensor out, give it a good clean (scrub or dishwasher) and then check the magnetic float A, floats and B, makes a contact and brakes a contact as it passes. Multimeter job that one.
Also clean the contacts to the 2 pin plug, they get grotty.

Oil level sensor is either carbon build up, the sensor plug or the oil level low.
Wash the sensor out in some brake cleaner or parafin, clean the connector and top your oil up.
Also check your engine earth strap, if its in poor condition power from the starter goes up the brown wire and can ruin the loom/set fire to the car.

[Brianmoooore]

I'm come across cases where one LED on the panel has started acting up and coming on randomly, but never seen a fault that makes more than one act up, although it may be worth checking that the main earthing terminal behind the glovebox is clean and tight.
Other than that, its probably non related faults, for the reasons HairyScreech has listed above.
Oil level sensor can safely be removed from the sump without draining the oil if the car is level. The oil should be a few mm below the hole. To clean it, fill an ordinary tin can with brake cleaner, paraffin, or my favourite, petrol, dunk the whole thing in, leave it for several minutes, then lift it up and let it drain completely. Repeat several times, changing the solvent when it gets too dirty, until what you drain out stays clean.

[ethrty]

Rear light is likely the bulb connections, try bending the wire contact to hold the bulbs a little tighter. New bulbs seem to be a bit "variable" on the size of the fitting.

i need to do this on my E30 too, only ever the brake light circuit

[Brianmoooore]

i need to do this on my E30 too, only ever the brake light circuit

Quite often this is because of a brake pull rod (from pedal box to the servo behind the glovebox) being in need of adjustment, allowing the brake lights to flash on intermittently while driving.
How much can you lift your brake pedal?

[HairyScreech]

Oh an do remember it should come on when the ignition is first tuned on and should go out when the pedal is pressed for the first time. That is normal function.

[ethrty]

i need to do this on my E30 too, only ever the brake light circuit

Quite often this is because of a brake pull rod (from pedal box to the servo behind the glovebox) being in need of adjustment, allowing the brake lights to flash on intermittently while driving.
How much can you lift your brake pedal?

next to nothing, which reminds me, damn I forgot to order bushes for my clutch and brake pedals for when i convert the car to manual this weekend.

[ethrty]

Oh an do remember it should come on when the ignition is first tuned on and should go out when the pedal is pressed for the first time. That is normal function.

correct