81 300sd the Yellow engine light flashes
 

My sd's yellow engine light flashes every so often , started recently.
So what is the problem?
That light comes on when you first try to start the car. Soon as engine going it shuts down, so as the Alternator.

Any advice appreciated.

You're most likely talking about the brake pad wear indicator. It lights up when you slow down and the brake pads are worn out. It is normal for it to come on when starting the car and go off when it is started. Thats what its supposed to do.

These cars do not have any sort of "engine light" or "check engine' indicator. ;)

Ya I thought of that along the line, getting 2nd opinion doesnt hurt.
Tanks a lot

Light is on right or left? I think hes talking about GP.

yes, it could be the glow plug light too.
they are both yellow.
what icon is on the light? a circle with dots around it, or a curly wire?
John

I thought maybe it was the "low coolant" light - that's the one that looks like a check engine light.

No low coolant sensor on the earlier models, I think that began in 1984 or 1985.

It sounded like glow plug light to me also, but, surely not.....
Something to remember, if the brake light comes on, it isn't necessarily that the pads are worn. It also is a sign of low fluid, which I was reminded of by the Squash earlier in the week.......;)
I put up with it flashing occasionally for over a month. :silly:
Luckily I snapped-to right before the clutch lost it's prime. :o

watch out jimmy snapping 2 gets harder as we age

Heck, I don't get to snap once anymore.......:(

The circle with dots around it.

Is not the glow plug.
Its more with brake, only flash when i tap or using the brakes.

Check the pads for wear, and check the wires to make sure the casing has not been eroded away. The brake rotor completes the circuit in normal cases or front pad wear.

Agreed, also check fluid level.

fluid level
 

second on the fluid level

The resevoir is a dual chamber (front / rear) - nice safety design.

I had a real slow leak in my rear caliper and it drained the back chamber and made the light flash under brake and acceleration (as the fluid sloshed).

Probably your front pads are worn out, or the brake pad sensor wires are shorting out.