Multiple Light Syndrome
This has been a difficult topic to write about. My goal is always to explain an automotive issue so that an average driver can follow along and understand. But I have been over and over and over this article, and I’m still not sure if I’m conveying the message properly. We devoted an entire page to the issue, linked here, and have struggled to present the information logically. That difficulty truly speaks to the direction the industry is taking.
A new phenomenon has developed over the last several years. You are driving down the road, the vehicle feels normal and seems to be running properly. And then, not one or two but as many as three warning or indicator lights suddenly flare up on your instrument panel. Now what?? It is a very difficult topic to explain verbally – and even more difficult in writing! See our full layout here.
The original concept of warning and indicator lights, tell-tales, idiot lights or whatever you care to call them, was to put the driver’s attention on a potentially serious problem. And while that remain true, the very fact is that, in today’s advanced automobiles, some systems depend on the proper operation of several others. Thus, a fault in one system will result in the shut down of others that depend on the first.
Thus an instrument panel will show a multitude of illuminated tell-tales, the secondary ones effectively telling a driver only that these systems are shut off. A bad case of Multiple Light Syndrome, and, for the average driver, a potentially frightening time indeed.
Advanced stability control and traction control systems are the primary culprits, or more to the point, the electronics that they depend on. And they are the least likely to actually fail. These systems rely on signals from the electronics controlling the operation of the engine, transmission, anti-lock brakes (ABS), and suspension systems. A single glitch in any one of these systems effectively means that that system can no longer be trusted. So, a fault in the ABS illuminates the ABS light, the traction or stability control system light, and the skid warning light.
Tell-tales, as we noted, were originally designed to help drivers who didn’t understand how to read a gauge. Today’s advanced systems are not likely to have a gauge associated with them, so all a warning light can hope to do is get a driver’s attention. And in multiples, they are guaranteed to do just that.
The automotive industry turns a blind eye to the fact that the average driver is not a technician, and the circus of tell-tales lit up at once is, bluntly, a frightening sight. The first question is always “is my car safe to drive”? In truth, the answer is nearly always “yes”!
The Bottom Line
Multiple lights rarely, if ever, mean multiple system faults. A fault in the engine (Check Engine), ABS or drive train will result in its associated fault light coming on. That one fault will shut down the traction and/or stability control systems, and those “off” lights will be illuminated to tell you that they are shut down. It is perfectly safe to drive a vehicle with the advanced systems off, as they are designed to kick in only in the most extreme conditions.
Should the problem be addressed? Yes, and as soon as possible. So long as the vehicle seems to be running normally, you have time to reach your dealer for service at minimum. Just add a little more caution to your drive.
However, if the vehicle is not running properly, do not attempt to drive it. Call for roadside assistance right away!
——————————————————————-
Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.
These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.
Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.
The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY
This phenomenon is the result of an ever-increasing density of advanced systems in vehicles. Navigation systems, traction and stability control, Bluetooth systems and message screens. Next up, WiFi and smart phone-like applications! Seriously, who’s going to do the driving? Computer crashes are soon to take on a whole new meaning.
Ford was recently taken to task because its systems were too complicated, and while the company has worked to simplify MyFord Touch, it has also announced a greater emphasis on driver education. Following the spate of bad news regarding fires in the Volt following accidents, Chevrolet noted, among other things, that the company needs to “educate the public” to disconnect battery. And VW has also increased its driver education programs to make its vehicles more accessible.
These are the EV (Electric Vehicle), Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid Battery Charge and Warning 
This version essentially points to a total system failure, unless it is seen in 
This version, shown in the vehicle’s information display, will be seen when the Mild Hybrid System is charging its battery. a Mild Hybrid System uses a 48-volt battery to assist the drive train, much lower capacity than the majority of hybrid systems. It appears as a double A battery with a lightning bolt inside.
These two will also to be seen in the vehicle’s information display. The first indicates the hybrid battery is charging. The other indicates that the battery is holding its charge. We surmise that this means that everything is functioning as expected.
This is a hybrid Charge Mode indicator. The light in the instrument cluster comes on when Charge Mode is switched on. While a hybrid charges its high-voltage battery automatically, with this system from Mazda, the vehicle can be told to charge the battery only and not using its power while the gasoline engine is running. Power is generated to a preset target amount, and when reached, power is generated to maintain it.
This is a High Voltage System Fault Indicator symbol for a Plug-in hybrid. An exclamation point is shown in a drawing of what looks like a D battery, which is meant to invoke the system’s battery. It could also be described as a box or a rectangle. It is likely that only the vehicle dealer can correct a problem with this system.
We found this one in the owner’s manual for two hybrids, and only one made clear that this is a hybrid battery malfunction. It was also found in an EV and also in fact indicates a main battery or system malfunction. Also, there will likely be an additional message on the instrument panel. Look for it and please check with your dealer or qualified service shop! Do not continue driving!
Finally, this version is used as a Battery Charge Indicator. It is shown in conjunction with a gauge that shows the actual charge level. It is seen in gray scale and does not indicate any trouble with the system. 
This is the Automatic Shift Lock (
The symbol of a shoe, boot or foot on or very near a pedal is a reminder that the brake must be engaged to start a push button or keyless start car. The image may appear on an instrument panel or on the console near the shifter, but with a start push button or keyless start vehicle, the indicator will appear on the instrument panel.
Don’t confuse these symbols with either of those to the right. 
These are (Electric Vehicle) 
These variations also leave out the word mode. The first indicates that the vehicle is being driven as an electric vehicle only, as above. But the second symbol adds what is intended to be a clock in the corner. It means that EV mode and the high voltage battery is being saved for a more useful and economical time. It does not and can not indicate a specific time. The last one, with the line through the E and an arrowed circle, indicates that high voltage battery does not have enough juice to operate the vehicle without the help of the gas engine.
These symbols come by way of Jeep and their new hybrid models, and are Hybrid Drive Mode Indicators. They are seen in white in the information screen. In Electric (EV) Mode, the car runs exclusively on the high-voltage battery until its charge is used up. In Hybrid Mode, the vehicle operates on whatever on all the internal combustion engine and battery power available. In e-Save mode, the battery is reserved for later use.
This is a Green Zone Indicator. It depends on navigation information to tell a hybrid model to extend the use of EV mode in urban areas to protect the local atmosphere. These areas may be parks, hospitals, schools, and the like. Green zone operation can be expanded by the vehicle depending on driver history.
Finally, these three are associated with Subaru Intelligent (SI) Drive system. As in other cases, the system is designed to maximize hybrid battery life. ‘I’ indicates that intelligent mode is selected, where battery life is automatically maximized. ‘S’ indicates that sport mode is chosen, providing increased performance and leaving battery life in the driver’s hands.
This is a Message Indicator 
This is the Collision Mitigation Brake System (
Marc Favreau
The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph's College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY
Most commented posts