Nissan Sentra Owners Manual: Warning lights

Nissan Sentra Owners Manual / Instruments and controls / Warning/indicator lights and audible reminders / Warning lights

Braking Anti-lock
Braking System (ABS) warning light

When the ignition switch is placed in the ON position, the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning light illuminates and then turns off. This indicates the ABS is operational.

If the ABS warning light illuminates while the engine is running or while driving, it may indicate the ABS is not functioning properly. Have the system checked by a NISSAN dealer.

If an ABS malfunction occurs, the anti-lock function is turned off. The brake system then operates normally, but without anti-lock assistance. See “Brake system” in the “Starting and driving” section.

light Brake warning
light

This light functions for both the parking brake and the foot brake systems.

Parking brake indicator

When the ignition switch is placed in the ON position, the light comes on when the parking brake is applied.

Low brake fluid warning light

When the ignition switch is placed in the ON position, the light warns of a low brake fluid level.

If the light comes on while the engine is running with the parking brake not applied, stop the vehicle and perform the following:

Check the brake fluid level. Add brake fluid as necessary. See “Maintenance and do-ityourself” section of this manual.
If the brake fluid level is correct, have the warning system checked by a NISSAN dealer.

WARNING

Your brake system may not be working properly if the warning light is on. Driving could be dangerous. If you judge it to be safe, drive carefully to the nearest service station for repairs. Otherwise, have your vehicle towed because driving it could be dangerous.
Pressing the brake pedal with the engine stopped and/or a low brake fluid level may increase your stopping distance and braking will require greater pedal effort as well as pedal travel.
If the brake fluid level is below the MINIMUM or MIN mark on the brake fluid reservoir, do not drive until the brake system has been checked at a NISSAN dealer.

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning indicator

When the parking brake is released and the brake fluid level is sufficient, if both the brake warning light and the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning light illuminate, it may indicate the ABS is not functioning properly. Have the brake system checked, and if necessary, repaired by a NISSAN dealer promptly. Avoid high-speed driving and abrupt braking. See “Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning light” in this section.

light Charge warning
light

If this light comes on while the engine is running, it may indicate the charging system is not functioning properly. Turn the engine off and check the generator belt. If the belt is loose, broken, missing, or if the light remains on, see a NISSAN dealer immediately.

CAUTION

Do not continue driving if the generator belt is loose, broken or missing.

Door open
warning light

This light comes on when any of the doors are not closed securely while the ignition switch is placed in the ON position.

Engine oil
pressure warning light

This light warns of low engine oil pressure. If the light flickers or comes on during normal driving, pull off the road in a safe area, stop the engine immediately and call a NISSAN dealer or other authorized repair shop.

The engine oil pressure warning light is not designed to indicate a low oil level. Use the dipstick to check the oil level. See “Engine oil” in the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section of this manual.

CAUTION

Running the engine with the engine oil pressure warning light on could cause serious damage to the engine almost immediately.

Such damage is not covered by warranty. Turn off the engine as soon as it is safe to do so.

light Low fuel warning
light

This light comes on when the fuel level in the fuel tank is getting low. Refuel as soon as it is convenient, preferably before the fuel gauge reaches 0 (Empty). There will be a small reserve of fuel in the tank when the fuel gauge reaches 0 (Empty).

Low tire
pressure warning light

Your vehicle is equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) that monitors the tire pressure of all tires except the spare.

The low tire pressure warning light warns of low tire pressure or indicates that the TPMS is not functioning properly.

After the ignition switch is placed in the ON position, this light illuminates for about 1 second and turns off.

Low tire pressure warning:

If the vehicle is being driven with low tire pressure, the warning light will illuminate.

A CHECK TIRE PRESSURE warning message is also displayed in the odometer.

When the low tire pressure warning light illuminates, you should stop and adjust the tire pressure of all 4 tires to the recommended COLD tire pressure shown on the Tire and Loading Information label located in the driver’s door opening. The low tire pressure warning light does not automatically turn off when the tire pressure is adjusted.

After the tire is inflated to the recommended pressure, the vehicle must be driven at speeds above 16 MPH (25 km/h) to activate the TPMS and turn off the low tire pressure warning light. Use a tire pressure gauge to check the tire pressure.

The low tire pressure warning light remains illuminated until the tires are inflated to the recommended COLD tire pressure. The CHECK TIRE PRESSURE warning message is displayed each time the ignition switch is placed in the ON position as long as the low tire pressure warning light remains illuminated.

For additional information, see “Check tire pressure warning message” in the “Instruments and controls” section and “Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)” in the “Starting and driving” section and in the “In case of emergency” section.

TPMS malfunction:

If the TPMS is not functioning properly, the low tire pressure warning light will flash for approximately 1 minute when the ignition switch is placed in the ON position. The light will remain on after the 1 minute. Have the system checked by a NISSAN dealer. The CHECK TIRE PRESSURE warning message is not displayed if the low tire pressure warning light illuminates to indicate a TPMS malfunction.

For additional information, see “Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)” in the “Starting and driving” section and “Tire pressure” in the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section.

WARNING

Radio waves could adversely affect electric medical equipment. Those who use a pacemaker should contact the electric medical equipment manufacturer for the possible influences before use.
If the light does not illuminate with the ignition switch placed in the ON position, have the vehicle checked by a NISSAN dealer as soon as possible.
If the light illuminates while driving, avoid sudden steering maneuvers or abrupt braking, reduce vehicle speed, pull off the road to a safe location and stop the vehicle as soon as possible.
Driving with under-inflated tires may permanently damage the tires and increase the likelihood of tire failure. Serious vehicle damage could occur and may lead to an accident and could result in serious personal injury. Check the tire pressure for all four tires. Adjust the tire pressure to the recommended COLD tire pressure shown on the Tire and Loading Information label located in the driver’s door opening to turn the low tire pressure warning light OFF. If the light still comes on while driving after adjusting the tire pressure, a tire may be flat. If you have a flat tire, replace it with a spare tire as soon as possible.
When a spare tire is mounted or a wheel is replaced the TPMS will not function and the low tire pressure warning light will flash for approximately 1 minute.
The light will remain on after 1 minute.

Contact your NISSAN dealer as soon as possible for tire replacement and/or system resetting.
Replacing tires with those not originally specified by NISSAN could affect the proper operation of the TPMS.

CAUTION

The TPMS is not a substitute for the regular tire pressure check. Be sure to check the tire pressure regularly.
If the vehicle is being driven at speeds of less than 16 MPH (25 km/h), the TPMS may not operate correctly.
Be sure to install the specified size of tires to the 4 wheels correctly.

Low
windshield-washer fluid warning light

This light comes on when the windshield-washer fluid is at a low level. Add windshield-washer fluid as necessary. See “Windshield-washer fluid” in the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section of this manual.

NISSAN
Intelligent Key® lock warning light (M/T models) (if so equipped)

When the ignition switch is left in the OFF position instead of completely placing it to the LOCK position, the Intelligent Key lock warning light blinks red and the Intelligent Key room buzzer will sound. The light will keep blinking until the ignition switch is placed in the LOCK or ACC position.

If the Intelligent Key lock warning light blinks and the buzzer sounds, press the PUSH release button next to ignition knob, then turn the ignition knob to either the LOCK or ACC position.

See “NISSAN Intelligent Key®” in the “Predriving checks and adjustments” section.

NISSAN
Intelligent Key® warning light (if so equipped)

The Intelligent Key warning light illuminates green when the ignition switch can be turned. The Intelligent Key warning light illuminates red when the ignition switch cannot be turned.

The Intelligent Key warning light blinks red if the Intelligent Key is taken outside of the vehicle while the ignition switch is placed in the ACC or ON position.

If the Intelligent Key warning light blinks, make sure of the location of the Intelligent Key as soon as possible. The Intelligent Key should be carried by the driver while operating the vehicle.
The Intelligent Key warning light turns off about 10 seconds after the Intelligent Key is brought inside the vehicle.

The Intelligent Key warning light blinks green indicating that the Intelligent Key battery is almost discharged.

See “NISSAN Intelligent Key®” in the “Predriving checks and adjustments” section.

Power steering warning light

WARNING

If the engine is not running or is turned off while driving, the power assist for the steering will not work. Steering will be harder to operate.
When the power steering warning light illuminates with the engine running, there will be no power assist for the steering. You will still have control of the vehicle but the steering will be harder to operate. Have the power steering system checked by a NISSAN dealer.

When the ignition switch is placed in the ON position, the power steering warning light illuminates.

After starting the engine, the power steering warning light turns off. This indicates the power steering system is operational.

If the power steering warning light illuminates while the engine is running, it may indicate the power steering system is not functioning properly and may need servicing. Have the power steering system checked by a NISSAN dealer.

When the power steering warning light illuminates with the engine running, there will be no power assist for the steering but you will still have control of the vehicle. At this time, greater steering effort is required to operate the steering wheel, especially in sharp turns and at low speeds.

See “Power steering” in the “Starting and driving” section.

P position
selecting warning light (CVT models) (if so equipped)

The light blinks red and the warning buzzer sounds if you are outside of the vehicle with the Intelligent Key and the engine is off, but the shift lever is not in the P (Park) position.

When the warning light blinks, place the ignition switch in the ON position, move the shift lever to the P (Park) position, then place the ignition switch in the LOCK position.

Seat belt
warning light and chime

The light and chime remind you to fasten your seat belts. The light illuminates whenever the ignition switch is placed in the ON or START position and remains illuminated until the driver’s seat belt is fastened. At the same time, the chime sounds for about 6 seconds unless the driver’s seat belt is securely fastened.

The seat belt warning light may also illuminate if the front passenger’s seat belt is not fastened when the front passenger’s seat is occupied . For 7 seconds after the ignition switch is placed in the ON position, the system does not activate the warning light for the front passenger.

Refer to “Seat belts” in the “Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system” section for precautions on seat belt usage.

Supplemental air
bag warning light

When the ignition switch is placed in the ON or START position, the supplemental air bag warning light illuminates for about 7 seconds and then turns off. This means the system is operational.

If any of the following conditions occur, the front air bag, side air bag, curtain air bag, and pretensioner seat belt systems need servicing and your vehicle must be taken to a NISSAN dealer:

The supplemental air bag warning light remains on after approximately 7 seconds.
The supplemental air bag warning light flashes intermittently.
The supplemental air bag warning light does not come on at all.

Unless checked and repaired, the supplemental restraint system (air bag system) and/or the pretensioners may not function properly. For additional details see “Supplemental restraint system” in the “Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system” section of this manual.

WARNING

If the supplemental air bag warning light is on, it could mean that the front air bag, side air bag, curtain air bag systems and/or pretensioner systems will not operate in an accident. To help avoid injury to yourself or others, have your vehicle checked by a NISSAN dealer as soon as possible.

Checking bulbs

With all doors closed, apply the parking brake and place the ignition switch in the ON position without starting the engine. The following lights will come on: If equipped, the following lights ...

Indicator lights

Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) position indicator light (if so equipped) When the ignition switch is placed in the ON position, this indicator light shows the transmission shift leve ...

Other materials:

The braking distance is long
Diagnosis Procedure CAUTION: The stopping distance on slippery road surfaces might be longer with the ABS operating than when the ABS is not operating. 1.CHECK ABS FUNCTION Turn ignition switch OFF. Disconnect ABS actuator and electric unit (control unit) connector to deactivate ...

Removal and installation
Combination meter Exploded view Combination meter Front cover Removal and installation Removal Remove cluster lid a. Refer to ip-19, "removal and installation". Remove the screws from the combination meter. Remove the combination meter. Disconnect the comb ...

ECU diagnosis information
TCM Reference Value CONSULT DATA MONITOR STANDARD VALUE NOTE: The following table includes information (items) inapplicable to this vehicle. For information (items) applicable to this vehicle, refer to CONSULT display items. In CONSULT, electric shift timing or lock-up timing, i.e. op ...