red light on dash, not working

[dpariso]

I'm trying to hunt down the purpose of this red light on the dash. It does not light up and was wondering what others have used this for.
dash light red.jpg

[shark92651]

Normally that would be the malfunction indicator light, assuming your engine supports that feature.

[Jeff Kleiner]

It could be a MIL as shark said or it may be a charge light. If you turn the ignition to on but do not start the engine it should light up. In either case when running it is not something you want to see!

Jeff

[michael everson]

Who built the car? I have seen some put the light in but not hook it up. Look back there with a flashlight and see if the wires go anywhere.
Mike

[frankeeski]

It could be a MIL as shark said or it may be a charge light. If you turn the ignition to on but do not start the engine it should light up. In either case when running it is not something you want to see!

Jeff

And some, like me, wire it to the stock Mustang e-brake handle. This is so the nut behind the wheel doesn't drive a few blocks before noticing the smell of burning brake pads.

[dpariso]

Hello Gents! Thanks for the feedback.
The wires are connected and enters the wire harness that goes towards the trans tunnel.
The car was built by Scott Meyer in 2008. I'm the 3rd owner and have no history on it.
It does not light up with the key switch on, engine not running.
I'll check if it lights up with the e-brake on (clever Mr. Frankeeski!)
My assumption, it's a malfunction indicator light. However, after trying 4 different scan tools to the OBDII connector the scan tool is not picking up my engine. The Detail Zone (RF wire harness supplier) told me the engine I have (1997 DOHC, 4.6 Lincoln Mark VIII) had issues with communicating with scan tools.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Sounds like it's primary function is to fill up a hole in the dash!

Jeff

[michael everson]

Could be low brake fluid too.
mike

[Jeff Kleiner]

Turns out that when I told ya' that it is filling a hole in the dash I was right! I got curious and looked back at some of Scott's old posts and in one of them I found this:

...Unfortunately I still have 4 codes on mine after running the car for two years. I got tired of seeing the red light on my dash so I unplugged it...

Apparently the OBD plug is or at least was functional at one time based on the info in this thread:

http://www.ffcars.com/forums/45-ford...ror-codes.html

So now you know

Jeff

[AC Bill]

That's so funny..

Well, at least now you have a indicator light available, if you want to wire up an E-brake reminder..

[WIS89]

Jeff-

GREAT find! I am now more than ever, convinced that you know everything!! ;-o)

Regards,

Steve

[dpariso]

Jeff, THANK YOU for the link!