I have a 1979 240D with 248k mi, and the check engine light came on yesterday evening. I am a complete newbie when it comes to working on cars, but I checked the oil, and gave the engine a cursory glance. I also listened for knocking or any other non-tractor-like sounds, and looked to see if there was more smoke than usual in the exhaust. Nothing looks out of the ordinary to me, but I really don't know what else to check. I also won't be able to take it to anyone until at tomorrow after work. Any ideas on what I can check myself, or what all can make the dreaded red light come on?

thanks,
jf

Can you tell us exactly which warning light came on, as you do not have a check engine light?

my guess is that it is the brake wear light?

as an aside-- i found those stickers=) private message me your shipping address and i'll get you one in the mail=)

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It's the one with the circles, next to the parking brake indicator light. It only comes on after I've driven for a while. I didn't think it looked like an engine, but didn't know what else it could be.

a circle inside a dotted circle? does it light up red?

if thats it, its the brake wear light an means you need new front pads(or sensors, i guess too?) easy stuff, even if youre not mechanical you can do this one=)

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That's a relief! I already changed the rear brake pads, so I know I can do this!
Thanks for your help guys. Since when does a couple of concentric circles mean brakes for the car? I guess since the mid to late 70's.
-jf

My '99 ML430 has the same brake warning lights as my '77 300D.

theyre an (overly) simplified brake rotor, i think?

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Mine are green

if the pictures are the same, i dont see how it matters?

is the craig color blind?

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Wouldn't it be cool if a green light meant that your rear brake pads are worn and a red light meant that your front ones are?

Just wondering if they changed over the years, both my 82 an 83 123s are green, and so is a spare cluster I have from some unknown 123.

Usually red is used for lights that need immediate attention. Just curious.

my shlomo is a 79 model 240 with us spec gauges?

would the celcius coolant/oil pressure in bar clusters have the green brake light and the earlier psi/farenheit ones have red?

it seems silly for the brake wear lamp to light up green! wouldnt logic dictate that a green warning lamp isnt as important as a red one? arent brakes important? heh heh let alone the go on green mentality people have in the us!

if the turn arrow is green, everyone mashes the gas, then slams on the brakes cuz they saw green.... let alone the people that start to roll when the light is fixing to turn red for the opposing traffic, then the people that follow. but i digress, yes my light is red. is yours, mr munkie?

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Strange, maybe they changed colors at some point. BTW, I have noticed that the indicator light is pretty conservative and you will have quite a bit of brake pad left when it comes on. Maybe they were concerned about overextending the calipers, or they were just trying to sell more brake pads? Also, you do not have any indication for the rear brake pads, so you have to keep an eye on them yourself.

The Navy has standard for what constitutes a certain color of warning light - red for situations that require immediate action, yellow for wanring conditions, and green lights for situations that are normal operating conditions.
but what do I know, I thought that my brake wear warning light was yellow/amber =)

(my parking brake/fluid level light is red.)

-John

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