# Dashboard Warning Light **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [June 7, 2007, 5:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dashboard-warning-light/346 "2007-06-07T17:02:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![potato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a6a055/32.png) [@potato](https://community.cartalk.com/u/potato)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2007, 5:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dashboard-warning-light/346/1 "2007-06-07T17:02:06Z")
I can’t find my manual and a warning light has just lit up on my renault megane. It is a rectangle with a squiggly line in it (like a heart monitor in a hospital). I know this is disgracefully girly, but I don’t know what it means. Can anybody help? ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2007, 5:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dashboard-warning-light/346/2 "2007-06-07T17:27:17Z")
My best guess is that your “squiggly line” warning light is the equivalent of the “Check Engine” warning light on cars sold in the US. However, that is just a guess as Renaults have not been sold in this market for a few decades. It might be better to check in forums where people are familiar with Renaults. But, overall, I think that you should see a qualified mechanic just in case that warning light portends something really serious. ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2007, 5:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dashboard-warning-light/346/3 "2007-06-07T17:44:39Z")
I agree with vdcDriver. It might also be a good idea to include a little more information like the model year and miles on your car along with any history it may have and a list of any recent repairs made. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/1/d/1d47c66a543aa6c5a7873bb2320858f978ff52ed.png) [@system](https://community.cartalk.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2007, 5:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dashboard-warning-light/346/4 "2007-06-07T17:57:03Z")
What I found after a quick Google search suggested that the light indicates an electrical problem. ---
**Author:** ![SteveF](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/stevef/32/2_2.png) [@SteveF](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SteveF)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2007, 6:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dashboard-warning-light/346/5 "2007-06-07T18:48:46Z")
I am guessing that this light is the equivalent of our ALT light, suggesting there is a problem with the charging system. Like the guy above me said. If you don’t have it checked out soon you may one morning find your car has a dead battery and can’t be started. You may currently be in need of a new alternator, a new battery, or both. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/1/d/1d47c66a543aa6c5a7873bb2320858f978ff52ed.png) [@system](https://community.cartalk.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2007, 7:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dashboard-warning-light/346/6 "2007-06-07T19:11:06Z")
Thanks everybody, I’m going straight to my mechanic in the morning. I was hoping I could still drive it to work tomorrow but I think I’ll err on the side of caution. Thanks again. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2007, 7:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dashboard-warning-light/346/7 "2007-06-07T19:31:15Z")
Just out of curiosity–which country are you in? ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/1/d/1d47c66a543aa6c5a7873bb2320858f978ff52ed.png) [@system](https://community.cartalk.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2007, 7:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dashboard-warning-light/346/8 "2007-06-07T19:47:46Z")
England. It’s a P reg. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/1/d/1d47c66a543aa6c5a7873bb2320858f978ff52ed.png) [@system](https://community.cartalk.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2007, 8:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dashboard-warning-light/346/9 "2007-06-20T20:55:45Z")
Did you have any luck with this, as i have just bought a Megane and this light was lite up on the dash too…