A random "Why is that" question...

[Bassfiend]

OK - here's a question that has been annoying the crap out of me for ages and it's popped to light again because I'm just about to order the warning lights for my "new" dash.

Now, I've always understood that if your oil pressure warning light comes on then it's "stop immediately and hope to f#ck you haven't killed your engine" whereas if your ignition warning light comes on I've never known it to be anything worse then "you're no longer charging your battery - things will keep running as long as it holds a charge and then you'll konk out but nothing will get damaged"...

...is that not correct?

In that case, why is the correct IVA colour for an oil warning light amber whereas the correct IVA colour for the ignition warning light is red?

Phil

[lwt]

Only a guess, but the red is because it's definately broken, there is no charging going on at all. The oil is just a warning of 'low' pressure, not 'no' pressure. It means 'look at the gauges. If the low oil pressure is because you are thrashing it and the oils got too hot, back off and it will recover. So an amber warning only. IMHO.

Ian.

[phillpot]

Bassfiend said:

OK
if your ignition warning light comes on I've never known it to be anything worse then "you're no longer charging your battery - things will keep running as long as it holds a charge and then you'll konk out but nothing will get damaged"...

...is that not correct?
Phil

On many engines "fan belt" also drives the water pump, will probably overheat before battery dies.

[spend]

It's to try and implant the subtle suggestion that the oil should be golden not black coloured