Toyota Hiace dash light

[Toast]

Hi.

A couple of days ago a little orange light came on, on my dash. I haven't got the handbook, so don't know what it means.

Artist's impression attached.

Speculation around the office says:

- radiator: but the temp gauge is showing fine

- catalytic converter - wouldn't know.

- it's telling me to stop wasting money on my race bike and buy a house - if so it can go to the same place as my gf.

Any help appreciated.

Cheers.

[LilSel]

is it a diesel??... is it on all the time?

does it have a preheater thingie.. goes off once spark heated... then starts...
(Nissan Safari has that...)


OR... maybe its 'rear heater is on' lol??....

[Toast]

It's a petrol.

It started a couple of days ago.

At first it only came on under heavy braking or big cornering loads. Then it started coming on with even really minor deceleration. Now it's on all of the time. Leads me to believe that it's something to do with a fluid...?

Don't think it has a rear heater aye.

[Ixion]

Check your brake fluid.

[Toast]

Check your brake fluid.

Hmm, sweet, cheers. Will do that.

Just curious: is that recommendation based on a guess? Or experience with Toyotas or other Jap cars?

[Ixion]

Experience, though not Toyotas. There is a sensor in the brake fluid resevoir on most jap cars. If the fluid drops a bit, then the extra drop as brakes are applied (especially as pads wear) can drop the fluid below the minimum level. A bit lower and just the 'slosh" on deceleration cornering etc will light it up. Abit more and it's permanently on.

[Motu]

Coolant level sensor - how about you check your levels say once a year.Toyotas are reliable eh? Just drive until it stops....oh,that light....does it mean something.It's called an idiot light....apparently for good reason.

[onearmedbandit]

Yup, as Motu says, coolant level. Don't worry, it's not important...

[bistard]

You guys are harsh,but fair of course
Now can you describe to them where & how to check the coolant
level
haha

[Toast]

Cheers for the help guys. Only had the van a few months. Just came on a couple of days ago like I said.

[pete376403]

find the expansion tank - should be white pastic but will probably be rust coloured, with small hose connecting to the radiator cap mounting.
There may be a level indicator moulded into the side of the tank. Fill it with water to the level mark, otherwise about half full. This is NOT the radiator youre filling, but the expansion tank

[Motu]

Which means you have to check the radiator too - ''Oh,the plastic bottle was full''....Yeah but the radiator was empty....new cyl heads are $1600,parts and labour another $1200,have a happy day.

No one checks any levels on a van - too hard.All the crap on the consul ends up on the floor in the back,lost with piles of other shit.Everything on the seat has to go on the floor.I'll let someone else do that,it's their turn,I checked it last month.

[davereid]

Maybe you should send it to a service station and get...

Coolant replaced - it doesnt last for ever, and thats a low coolant lamp
Oil and Filter Changed
Air Cleaner replaced
Brake fluid topped up

If the last owner allowed the coolant to be neglected, its likely the other items need some TLC too.

[Drum]

Wee picture looks like a radiator. You already know what to do.

[cheese]

Thats not the cambelt light is it?

[bistard]

Which means you have to check the radiator too - ''Oh,the plastic bottle was full''....Yeah but the radiator was empty....new cyl heads are $1600,parts and labour another $1200,have a happy day.

No one checks any levels on a van - too hard.All the crap on the consul ends up on the floor in the back,lost with piles of other shit.Everything on the seat has to go on the floor.I'll let someone else do that,it's their turn,I checked it last month.

Thats a bit harsh,I check the levels in my HSV(Hiace Special Van) once a month whether it needs it or not!!

[onearmedbandit]

Thats not the cambelt light is it?

No, it's not.

[Motu]

Thats not the cambelt light is it?

Looks just like a cambelt....I didn't pick that up - can I borrow your glasses?

[Toast]

Chucked some water in, light is off now. Thanks.

[Qkchk]

Being a Truck Driver and having quite a few breakdown these days,
and also too lazy too see what others have posted........

Check your coolant levels, not only your Radiator itself but also the overflow bottle. That symbol is definately the Water!

Wouldnt go amiss checking your fan belts, make sure they are tight and see if you can spot any white power residue around the front of the engine block....

[Qkchk]

:doh:

10 charc

[svs]

while one the subject of hiace's

mines (1990 lwb minibus) got a rocker switch in the dash labeled something like ' bulb level check '. no idea what it does. doesn't appear to do anything. any ideas?

[onearmedbandit]

Whatever you do, don't have that switch in the 'on' position when using reverse gear on a week day in a leap year, or we are all fucked.

[bistard]

Hey Phil,thats pretty much what is being discussed here
From memory,ignition in accessory position,you use that switch & checks fluid levels & bulbs

[bistard]

Whatever you do, don't have that switch in the 'on' position when using reverse gear on a week day in a leap year, or we are all fucked.

You have been watching to many episodes of "LOST"

[svs]

Whatever you do, don't have that switch in the 'on' position when using reverse gear on a week day in a leap year, or we are all fucked.

well since i have no idea which is on or off, then i guess we're fucked :dodge:

i'll try the ignition in accessory position when i leave work

[Paul in NZ]

You have been watching to many episodes of "LOST"

I think ONE episode would qualify for that..

[Toaster]

Hi.

Artist's impression attached.

Cheers.

Like the pic Toast, looks like a marque! and I like ya online name.
Cheers,
Toaster.