Red Lightning Bolt On Dash

Have you wondered what the red lightning bolt on a Jeep’s dashboard or what a Chrysler red lightning bolt on dash represents? It’s possible you don’t know all the warning symbols on your vehicles dashboard, although it is vital to understand what these lights mean.

For instance, the red lightning bolt on a Jeep dashboard shows issues with the electronic throttle control. It uses sensors to measure the pressure you apply to your throttle pedal. The motor receives information and increases the throttle according to your applied force.

You may think there’s an instant need to see a Jeep specialist. Yet our guide has more information regarding the electronic throttle control red lightning bolt on dash, so you can get around this before entering limp mode and wait till your upcoming service.

By the end, you’ll better understand what problems cause the red lighting bolt. You’ll also learn how the control module can affect fuel economy and cause your vehicle to stop accelerating correctly and possibly how to reset red lightning bolt on dash. (Read Dometic DM2852 Refrigerator Troubleshooting)

Red Lightning Bolt On Jeep Dash

Jeep Red Lightning Bolt Symbol

In older car models, a cable ran from the throttle to the gas pedal. How much the throttle opened depended on how hard you pushed on the gas. This controlled how much gas could come in.

This mechanism wasn’t very efficient because it used up more fuel. Because of this, the Electronic throttle control was developed.

The first cars to use this electronic technology were made in the 1990s to replace the less efficient system with one controlled by computers.

However, the electronic system can sometimes go wrong; thus, the red lightning bolt shows an electronic throttle control system fault.

The fix here is to reset your gas pedal to the computer throttle body position sensor or what position your computer sees your gas pedal.

What should I do when the red sign with the lightning bolt flashes?

If you are driving and see a red lightning bolt sign, you do not have to stop. You can keep going, yet you’ll need to get it fixed sooner rather than later. If you can’t do it, you’ll need a pedal reset carried out by a qualified mechanic.

How to Reset the Electronic Throttle Control

The pedal is not positioned correctly if the red lightning bolt indicates illuminates. Because of this mismatch, the throttle sensors cannot effectively communicate with the pedal.

The position of the gas pedal determines how much the throttle opens or closes, and resetting it isn’t too tricky.

But before you ask for help, you can try to reset the system using the steps below:

  1. Insert the ignition key then turnit to “ON.” Do not start your engine.
  2. Wait for all the warning lights to turn off. Note: The check engine light may remain on as you aren’t starting the engine.
  3. Slowly depress your accelerator pedal tight to the floor.
  4. Slowly release your accelerator pedal until it reaches the original rest position.
  5. Turn your ignition key to “OFF.”
  6. Start your engine and test the throttle and see if your engine speed increases with the throttle in the up position.

This procedure is usually used when the battery is taken out or put back in, but it may still be useful in your case. If the computer has any codes about the gas pedal position sensor, that could also make the lightning bolt warning light come on.

If the red lightning bolt sign stays illuminated, you might need to take it to a mechanic to get it fixed. (Read Dometic RV Refrigerator Reset)

What Do Other Warning Lights Mean?

Here are a few other warning signs you may come across on occasion. Some need immediate attention, while others are less serious.

Car Battery Light On

1. Battery Charge Warning

The red battery shape of this warning light shows the positive and negative terminals. There is a plus sign on the right side of the battery, and on the left, there is a minus sign.

If there is a problem with the car’s battery, it could be time to change it, or the battery lacks power and isn’t holding charge.

2. Electric Power Steering Fault Warning Light

Power steering is used in Jeeps so that you can drive easier, although sometimes you think there’s something wrong with your steering.

You have an issue if the electric power steering light illuminates your dashboard.

3. Brake Warning

Different things can cause the brake warning light highlighted by the word “BRAKE” in ree capital letters.

When the parking brake is on, it can illuminate, yet if your brake isn’t working and the brake warning flashes, you probably have a problem with your brakes.

4. Anti-Lock Braking System Warning

The Anti-Lock Braking System stops your car without skidding and is highlighted by the letters “ABS” in a circle.

5. Engine Light

One of the most common lights is the Engine Check Light. It can show up for different reasons, such as the engine not running correctly or transmission problems.

6. Tire Pressure Warning

The tire pressure light shows in yellow when tire pressure is too low. This sign is an exclamation inside a horseshoe with wavy lines underneath it. However, it may not be available on all vehicle models.

Signs Your ETC Is Faulty

Besides the red lightning bolt, there are other signs your car’s Electronic Throttle Control, ETC sensor, or even throttle body is broken.

Here are a few of the most common ones:

1. Decreased Fuel Mileage

When the ETC is broken, one of the most common signs is that the car gets less gas mileage.

This sign can also indicate other problems, yet if you notice the warning sign of the red lightning bolt, you can save time and conclude your ETS throttle body or sensor is broken.

2. Acceleration Problems

Sometimes a car accelerates or speeds up for no reason, thus showing you have a faulty ETC.

3. Sporadic Idling

If your ETC has random idle surges, it is not working well. Along with idling here and there, your engine may also misfire, idle roughly, or even stop. Your car could also idle too high or too low.

4. Intermittently Flashing Indicator Light

If the red lightning bolt light keeps flashing even after you’ve reset the pedals, it’s a sign that there’s something seriously wrong with the ETC. Here, it would help if you had a trusted mechanic look at your car and do what needs to be done.

Red lightning bolt Flashing Indicator means

FAQs

What does the red lightning bolt on my dash mean?

If you notice this ETC light on your Jeep dashboard, it shows a problem with the Electronic Throttle Control, often known as the ETC, in your car.

The sensor determines the pressure applied to your car gas pedal and the resulting throttle response.

This information is transmitted from the gas pedal each time it is depressed by cables and sensors. It is then transformed into an electric signal before being processed by a motor that controls the engine throttle in response to the input level from the gas pedal.

When you notice the red warning light, it shows that the gas pedal and the throttle are not correctly interacting.

Purchase a code reader if you do not know why the lights displayed on your dashboard are coming on.

A good scanner will be able to read any fault codes that your vehicle may have and allow you to turn off the check engine light with a car pedal reset. Alternatively, you’ll need a mechanic to fix your issue. (Learn How Long Before Car Battery Dies With Radio On)

Can you drive with the electronic throttle control light on?

No need to stop if you notice the ETC light while driving but bringing your Jeep into an auto shop is advisable for a thorough diagnosis.

Continue driving as long as there are no other visible glowing warning lights or problems with acceleration, but make sure to either reset it yourself or take it to a mechanic for a checkup.

How do you reset the red lightning bolt symbol on the dashboard?

The red lightning bolt icon on your dashboard might attempt to alert you that the pedal position has changed and the motor-control sensors won’t be communicating correctly.

The misalignment of the gas pedal over time is to blame for this. However, resetting is a simple process that takes less than ten minutes to complete.

Follows these steps to reset your red lightning bolt light:

  1. Do not start the car after you insert ignition key and turn to the “on” position.
  2. Instead, push the gas pedal down, then gradually raise it to the resting position.
  3. Finally, turn the ignition fully on.
  4. Check if the engine reacts well and the warning light goes off by depressing the gas pedal.

Red Lightning Bolt on Dash

 

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