There are four lights! (Car troubles...)

SkyCaptain

I have a 2005 Cobalt and on the way to work, the indicator for brights being turned on flashed four times. I really suck at googling this shit, especially since they're pretty common words. Does anyone know offhand if that flashing light means anything?

Figgy

It shouldn't. The computer's error codes would not be a simple flashing light one time just in case the owner happened to notice.

Is the car running normally otherwise? Do your brights work if you turn them on? I think you can just keep an eye and see if it happens again. It could just be a fluky wiring thing.

SkyCaptain

Yeah, running normally as far as I can tell. It was just a curious thing.

TaGuelle

I know this is random, but is the title a TNG reference?

SkyCaptain

Yeah, it is a reference to that episode of TNG. I tried googling for more information about the brights indicator... this thread is now number four or five on the results list for me.

Staxeon

Was it your highbeam indicator or your daytime running lights indicator?

CorcoranCadet

It probably means nothing. As a car gets older, the electricals are almost always the first thing to go. On my car, the ABS light comes on all the time. Recently, the traction control light comes on. The 4x4 light comes on, but my car doesn't have 4x4... Unless you detect a problem, it's likely nothing. Of course, you can always get it checked if need be.

Cecilsan

Have you checked or do you own the car manual?

I'm sure if its a proper indicator (flashing 4x actually means something, not just the highbeam contacts messing up) then the manual should tell you exactly what it means.

Figgy

Cecilsan wrote: »

Have you checked or do you own the car manual?

I'm sure if its a proper indicator (flashing 4x actually means something, not just the highbeam contacts messing up) then the manual should tell you exactly what it means.

Any actual indicator via the dashboard lights I can think of is first triggered by something first. Like, you hit a specific button and watch for an indicator. The lights don't just flash at some random time while you're driving on the slim chance that you are watching and counting the blips. That would be the most useless thing ever designed.

OP: 2005 Cobalt, I'm assuming your warranty has run out then?

Cecilsan

Figgy wrote: »

Cecilsan wrote: »

Have you checked or do you own the car manual?

I'm sure if its a proper indicator (flashing 4x actually means something, not just the highbeam contacts messing up) then the manual should tell you exactly what it means.

Any actual indicator via the dashboard lights I can think of is first triggered by something first. Like, you hit a specific button and watch for an indicator. The lights don't just flash at some random time while you're driving on the slim chance that you are watching and counting the blips. That would be the most useless thing ever designed.

OP: 2005 Cobalt, I'm assuming your warranty has run out then?

Seat belt unfastened indicator. Generally things flash to get your attention...you don't have to sit there watching for them to do so.

I was just guessing, generally when it comes to lights coming on and off the manual does a pretty good job of telling you what they mean. It could be anything from it telling him the beams are no longer on auto mode or its a warning that something is up w/ the auto mode. Again, still guessing but the manual would be the best place to start first

SkyCaptain

It was the highbeams indicator on the dash and no, I don't have a manual. Yes, it's out of warranty.

Iroh

Were you using the turn signal or anything when it happened? My '01 Buick sometimes has intermittent issues with the contacts in the stalk being screwed up, although my problems are all with involuntary cruise control function.

Unless your brights start actually turning on, or you notice something else going on with the car, I wouldn't worry about it.