Kenworth Warning Lights and Meanings
Complete guide to Kenworth dashboard warning lights and symbols. Learn what each indicator means and what action you should take when they illuminate.
Understanding Kenworth Dashboard Warning Lights
Kenworth vehicles are equipped with an advanced diagnostic system that monitors various components and systems. When an issue is detected, a corresponding warning light will illuminate on your dashboard.
These warning lights are color-coded to indicate the severity of the issue:
- Red: Indicates a serious issue that requires immediate attention. You should stop driving as soon as it's safe to do so.
- Amber/Yellow: Suggests a less urgent problem that should be checked soon, but doesn't require immediate action.
- Green: Usually informational, indicating that a system is active or functioning normally.
- Blue: Usually informational, indicating features like high beam headlights or coolant temperature.
- White: Usually informational, indicating that certain systems or features are currently active.
Below you'll find a comprehensive list of warning lights that may appear on your Kenworth vehicle's dashboard.
Kenworth Warning Light Categories
Critical Warning Lights
These red warning lights indicate serious issues that require immediate attention.
Information Indicators (Green)
These green lights simply inform you that certain systems are active.
Information Indicators (Blue)
These blue lights indicate that certain features or systems are enabled.
Information Indicators (White)
These white lights provide status information about various vehicle systems.
Critical Warning Lights
Brake, Park Brake
Illuminates in the status indicator when parking brakes are applied.
Brake, Service Brakes
Indicates that a fault exists in the brake system. This should be checked by an authorized dealer as soon as possible.
Brakes, Low Air
Illuminates when the air pressure falls. What to do: 1. Slow down carefully. 2. Move a safe distance off the road and stop. 3. Place the transmission in neutral (park with automatic transmissions, if equipped) and set the parking brake. 4. Turn OFF the engine. 5. Turn ON the emergency flasher and use other warning devices to alert other motorists. If the air pressure falls below 60 psi (414 kPa) the spring brakes may stop the vehicle abruptly, which could cause an accident resulting in death or personal injury. Observe the red warning lamps on the gauges. If one comes on, do not continue to drive the vehicle until it has been properly repaired or serviced.
Dump Truck, Body Up
Illuminates when Truck Dump Body is up.
Dump Truck, Trailer Body Up
Illuminates when Trailer Dump Body is up.
Engine, Overspeed Air Shutdown
Illuminates when the Engine Overspeed Air Shutdown system is activated.
Engine, Stop Engine
Illuminates and an audible alarm tone will sound when a major engine system problem exists. The illumination of the Stop Engine Light should be considered an emergency. You should stop the vehicle as safely as possible and turn OFF the ignition. The vehicle must be serviced and the problem corrected before driving again. Failure to do so may cause severe engine damage or cause an accident involving death or personal injury.
Seat Belt, Fasten
Illuminates when the ignition key is turned on as a reminder to fasten your seat belt.
Transmission, Check
Illuminates when transmission has recorded a fault code. This icon may also appear in the Transmission Display menu of the Driver Performance Center. If the user is in this display menu, the icon does not indicate a fault code.
Information Indicators (Green)
Engine, Engine Fan
Illuminates when fan is active.
Engine, Ether Start
Illuminates when ether start switch is on.
Engine, Retarder (Brake)
Illuminates when the engine retarder (compression brake or exhaust brake) switch is turned on. (Engine retarders are an option.)
Power Take-off, Pump Mode
Illuminates with remote throttle application. Indicates pump mode is active.
Refrigerator
Illuminates to indicate that the refrigerator is on and ignition is off.
Turn Signal, Left
Blinks when the left turn signal or the hazard light function is operating.
Turn Signal, Right
Blinks when the right turn signal or the hazard light function is operating.
Information Indicators (Blue)
Lights, High Beam
Illuminates when the high beams are on. This icon will flash with audible alarm if the headlamps are left on when the door is open. In addition, this icon will flash, but without an audible alarm, if there is a problem with the low beam headlights or the low beam headlight wiring. In such event, the high beam headlights will turn on at 50% normal brightness.
Information Indicators (White)
Air Filter Restriction Indicator or Gauge
This gauge indicates the condition of the engine air cleaner and is measured by inches of water (H2O). A clean filter should register 7 in. H2O (may vary with system design) and a filter whose life is over will register approximately 25 in. H2O.
Axle, Pusher Air Pressure
The Pusher Axle Air Pressure gauge(s) indicate the air pressure in the pusher axle(s) suspension air bags. This icon may have a numeral above the image of the wheel to indicate which pusher axle if there are multiple pusher axles on the vehicle.
Axle, Tag Air Pressure
The Tag Axle Air Pressure gauge indicates the amount of air pressure in the tag axle suspension air bags. This icon may have a numeral above the image of the wheel to indicate which pusher axle if there are multiple pusher axles on the vehicle.
Drive Axle Temperature Gauge (Forward)
This gauge indicates the temperature of the lubricant in your vehicle’s axle(s). This temperature will vary with the kind of load you are carrying and the driving conditions you encounter. Maximum axle temperature may vary, depending upon the axle and type of lubricant. Very high temperatures signal a need to have your axle(s) lubrication checked. Depending on the vehicle configuration, there may be a drive axle temperature gauge for more than just the forward and rear driver.
Drive Axle Temperature Gauge (Rear)
This gauge indicates the temperature of the lubricant in your vehicle’s axle(s). This temperature will vary with the kind of load you are carrying and the driving conditions you encounter. Maximum axle temperature may vary, depending upon the axle and type of lubricant. Very high temperatures signal a need to have your axle(s) lubrication checked. Depending on the vehicle configuration, there may be a drive axle temperature gauge for more than just the forward and rear driver. Driving with very hot temperatures in your rear drive axles can cause serious damage to axle bearings and seals. Have your axle lubrication checked if you notice a sign of overheating.
Engine, Oil Pressure
It is important to maintain oil pressure within acceptable limits. If oil pressure drops below the minimum psi a red warning light in the gauge will turn on, the Stop Engine light will come on and an audible alarm tone will sound.
Engine, Oil Temperature
The Engine Oil Temperature gauge indicates the engine oil temperature. If the oil temperature exceeds the maximum limits, a red warning light in the gauge will turn on. Do not exceed maximum engine oil temperature recommended by the engine manufacturer.
Fuel Filter Restriction Air Filter Restriction Pressure
This gauge tells you the condition of the fuel filter by indicating the restriction from the fuel filter to the fuel pump. Check the engine manual for proper restriction. Replace the filter with an approved filter only. Do not substitute the wrong micron element.
Fuel Pressure Gauge
Your vehicle may also have a fuel pressure gauge. Do not carry additional fuel containers in your vehicle. Fuel containers, either full or empty, may leak, explode, and cause or feed a fire, possibly causing death or personal injury. Do not carry extra fuel containers, even empty ones are dangerous.
Manifold Pressure Gauge
Your manifold pressure gauge indicates the power your engine is putting out by showing the amount of turbo boost. If the pressure indicated by your manifold pressure gauge goes down, there may be something wrong with your engine. Have it checked by a qualified service person.
Suspension Load Air Pressure #1
The Suspension Load Air Pressure gauge indicates the amount of air pressure in the air suspension air bags. When the vehicle is equipped with dual leveling valves, the #1 gauge indicates the air pressure in the driver’s side air bags.
Suspension Load Air Pressure #2
The Suspension Load Air Pressure gauge indicates the amount of air pressure in the air suspension air bags. When the vehicle is equipped with dual leveling valves, the #2 gauge indicates the air pressure in the passenger’s side air bags.
Tractor Brake Application Air Pressure
The Tractor Brake Application Air Pressure gauge indicates the amount of air pressure applied to the tractor brakes.
Trailer Air Tank Air Pressure
The Trailer Air Tank Air Pressure gauge indicates the amount of air pressure in the trailer brake air tank.
Trailer Brake Application Air Pressure
The Trailer Brake Application Air Pressure gauge indicates the amount of air pressure applied to the trailer brakes during brake foot valve and/or hand brake control valve applications.
Transfer Case Oil Pressure Temperature
The Transfer Case Oil Temperature gauge indicates the temperature of the oil in the transfer case. If the oil temperature exceeds maximum limits, a red warning light in the gauge will turn on. Do not exceed maximum oil temperature recommended by the manufacturer.
Transmission Oil Temperature, Auxiliary
The Auxiliary Transmission Oil Temperature gauge indicates the temperature of the oil in the auxiliary transmission. Watch this gauge to know when the transmission is overheating.
Transmission Retarder Oil Temperature
The Transmission Retarder Oil Temperature gauge indicates the temperature of the oil in the transmission retarder. Watch this gauge to know when the transmission is overheating.
Transmission Temperature Gauge
Your Transmission Temperature Gauge indicates the temperature of the oil in your transmission. Watch this gauge to know when your transmission is overheating. If it is, have it checked by an authorized service representative. Maximum transmission temperature may vary, depending upon the transmission and type of lubricant. Check your transmission’s owner’s manual.