The Deputy

Yesterday, after working on a couple different things, the central-warning-system-light came on (red light with an exclamation symbol) within the center of the dash. To the left of the dash module, the words "tail light" and a symbol of a light appeared (in red)...this all happened as soon as I turned the headlights on, or the parking lights and the car was running. I have to turn the lights off too get it to go out, pressing the central warning system reset button in the center console does nothing.

Both tail lights are in working order.

This warning light has never come on before.

So, things I did while working on the car last night.

1) I was vacuuming down the A/C unit, preparing it to be charge and while waiting I changed both headlights, with original style bulbs. Both head lights worked fine afterwards and the warning light did not come on when checking them (car wasn't running). Job done.

2) Then I opened up the CE panel and checked the fog light circuitry, fuse and relay, since the fog lights don't work, fuse and relay were good...so I planned on checking the bulbs later. Job not done.

3) Then I messed with the rheostat on the bottom of the dash pod, since the dash lights weren't working. After moving the rheostat control back and forth a couple times...the dash lights worked. Job done.

4) Charged the A/C system and checked operation of electric condensor fan, everything worked fine and had cold air coming out of the vents. Job done.

Decided to do a little shakedown run and check the A/C under real world conditions. Backed out of the garage and turned on the head lights...and the warning light appeared. Everytime I turned the lights out...it went out...and everytime I turned the lights back on (parking or head lights) warning light came on.

I did some searching and found topics about similar problems...but no one posted a repair. Besides someone saying they replaced the alternator. I get the warning light if the parking lights are on, and being the only thing on, and the volt gauge reads 13.6/14.0 volts. When the air is on, with fan running on high and the lights on, it reads a little lower, but bove 12.8/13.0 (guess-timate wise). So, I'm not really leaning that direction...since I have had the head lights on before without issues.

Like I say, both tail lights are working and I've never had the central warning system light come on before, period. And it only comes on if the car is running, you can sit with the lights on forever and no warning light appears, if it's not running.

Any help would be appreciated. If I don't find a repair soon...it will be...where in the heck did I put that black electrical tape...lol.

Thank you, in advance for any suggestions.

Brian.

Tim Noce

I have the same thing happen intermittently. I usually just tap the brake a few times and it goes away. It also never shows up when I have the headlights off.

nc_growler

Is it possible that it's a side running light, not the rear lamps?

Mrmerlin

things to check,
clean all of the bulb holders in the rear and front side marker lamps,
deoxit the side marker connectors that lay on the rear edge of the hatch floor near the corners of the hatch.

The Deputy

Thank you for the ideas. I will check into the bulb shockets and side markers (which are all working...EDIT...according to my wife...). I'll replace all of the bulbs while I'm in there, too.

Question, is there any way to disarm the central warning system entirely? I looked at the two list of things it monitors and there is nothing worth knowing, through an idiot light anyway. I check my oil regularly, watch my gauges more than the road sometimes...lol and really do not care if I'm low of washer fluid, brake pads are getting low or coolant level or temp (since there is a gauge), or about the tail-brake lights (since l'll know if they don't work when I get rear-ended), etc, etc. All of these items are checked on a regular basis...and it's not like I'm going to stop the car and jump out to repair a tail light or brake light anyway.

Can the central warning system control module just be unplugged (and where is it located if it can be)...without other complications?

Brian.

The Forgotten On

It can be unplugged. I've driven my 81 like that for over a year before I fixed some faulty sensors and the ignition switch that caused it to get weird.

It is under the dead pedal which is removed by unscrewing 2 nuts. Just unplug the 2 connectors and it shouldn't bother you anymore.

The Deputy

So, that's what that module is for...was wondering...when I had that panel removed to adjust the carpeting. This may be the direction I take...hate all of those idiot lights anyway.

Thank you.

Brian.

The Deputy

Went out this morning to disconnect the warning light system...but thought...maybe I'll check the lights one more time first.

And...

Yes...and that's what it was. Which in turn...means I must fire my lovely and beautiful assistant (wife), since she was the one that told me all of the lights were working when we ran through all of them, brakes and tail lights. But, in her defense...maybe she didn't know the side markers were lighted. Granted, the one on my side...was.

So, if there are any lovely, beautiful, female assistants looking for an opportunity of a lifetime...please send your resume, bank account information and picture to me through an email.

Thank you,

Brian.

The Deputy

This just goes to prove...the old adage..."what did you work on last...just before this issue occurred"...doesn't always come into play.

Coincidences do happen.

Now off to the parts store for a bulb.

Brian.

LT Texan

My taillight warning comes on now and then. Even with cleaning cleaning cleaning of contacts.

Tap the brakes and it goes off. Then it might come on again.

On my model, some of the instruments go through the central warning system per the current flow chart. I'd be cautious in recommending a simple "unplug."

nc_growler

Awesome to hear that it was that simple! Now, replacing that bulb might be a bit tricky?

Orantes

Before you do anything.....replace all the bulbs with new bulbs of same brand. Your problem will magically disappear. Sometimes it doesn't matter if they all appear to be working. Been there...

The Deputy

Yes, the wing-nut on the rear of the marker light on the passenger side is nearly impossible to put back on. They do not give you any room for fat, old finger that have lost a good percentages of there feeling over the years. Dropped that thing twenty times before I got her to start on the threads.

Yeah, I'm glad it was a simple repair...and I believe this is the first time I have fixed anything on this car for under a dollar...lol. And actually...it took me less time to fix it than to write my original post...so as they say..."here's your sign".

Brian.

The Deputy

Yes, I'll tackle all of them soon...but, it was a glorious day yesterday...so the 928 went for a nice ride along the lake.

Brian.