Driving home tonight I noticed the battery icon illuminated on the dash. Does this indicate a failure of the charging system? Also there was a triangle icon on the gas guage, beside the "E" that was also lit up. The car was running and sounding fine. Once home I re-started the engine and it fired right up and purred as usual. What gives?
Thanks.
Bernie.

Now that it's good and dark out I can see that it's all 3 icons to the left of the glow plugs icon that are lit up. Battery, (unknown circular icon), and emergency brake icon. Some sort of wiring problem perhaps?

The battery does indicate charging system failure or bad battery. The triangle by the e is telling you you have less than three gallons left in the tank. The circular icon with the dots on each side of it is your brake pad wear sensor, indicating that you should replace your brake pads.





The pad sensor should only light up when you apply the brakes, unless there is a short or your pads are REALLY worn. Im not sure but if you turn the ignition to the on position this light may light up, along with all other lights until the engine is started. If the light is on when the engine is running, check your pads.





The reserve triangle may also be lit with the key in the on position, but only on certain model years. This is so that you know if it works before you begin driving. if you start the engine and the light remains on, your fuel level is below three gallons.


The red BRAKE light indicates an engaged parking break and/or low fluid level. If your ever driving and it begins flickering (the low pad light will do this too when your pads wear enough) its trying to tell you to add more brake fluid. The yellow light with a coil on it is your glow plugs. If it fails to light when you turn the key to the on position, you have a glow plug problem but the car may still start fine

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1981 300SD 512k OM603

The alternator is not charging. Either a wire has come loose or the voltage regulator (search on that subject) has failed.

There must be a wiring short then, I have plenty of fuel remaining, the emergency brake is not engaged, and I am pretty sure the brake pads are alright.

Verify that your charging system is working or not with a Voltmeter (Multimeter).

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel