Author Topic: Red Light on Speedometer  (Read 2903 times)

Offline D70challenger

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Red Light on Speedometer
« on: February 13, 2018 - 12:49:17 AM »
Hey guys, I have not had my challenger for long. Just a few months so I am still learning about the ins and outs. I noticed a few nights ago driving home that the red light on my speedometer at the top (basically at the 75mph mark would be) is on. Is that red light a check engine light or what does that indicate? I was hoping the my shop manual would say but no luck. Can anybody tell me what it Is? Thanks!


1970 Dodge Challenger
2005 Ford Mustang




Offline 1 Wild R/T

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Re: Red Light on Speedometer
« Reply #1 on: February 13, 2018 - 02:27:18 AM »
High Beam Indicator...  No Check Engine Lights till years later...
JS27N0B 70 Challenger R/T Convertible  FJ5 Sublime, Show Poodle w/90,000 miles since resto
WS27L8G 68 Coronet R/T Convertible  PP1 Bright Red, Project
RM21H9E 69 Road Runner Coupe R4 Performance Red, Sold...
5H21C  65 Falcon 2 dr Wagon... Dog Hauler...

Offline 70chall440

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Re: Red Light on Speedometer
« Reply #2 on: February 13, 2018 - 01:34:03 PM »
 :roflsmiley: Not laughing at anyone in particular, just the realization that times have changed significantly.
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline jimynick

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Re: Red Light on Speedometer
« Reply #3 on: February 13, 2018 - 08:52:43 PM »
Would it be appropriate to say that stepping on that metal button sticking through the carpet where your left foot sits will make that red light go away?  :cheers:

Offline jason340

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Re: Red Light on Speedometer
« Reply #4 on: February 14, 2018 - 09:15:22 AM »
I had to laugh but not at the OP. Several years ago when the 73 Cuda was new to my boys, they ask the same question, sometimes when we drive the Cuda there is a red light in the speedo. I told them it ment they were driving too fast.

Offline 70chall440

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Re: Red Light on Speedometer
« Reply #5 on: February 14, 2018 - 11:15:35 AM »
Many times us "older" people tend to take a lot for granted as we grew up when things were decidedly different. We kind of forget that not very long ago; things remained the same for many years, thus there were several generations of people who all experienced the same things; but in the recent past things have begun moving at a vastly faster pace. The younger generations have most likely never seen a dimmer switch on the floor let a lone a foot starter like those found on old pickups and some cars, they have never had to deal with a 6V electrical system in a vehicle, etc. It is both amusing and humbling to come to the realization that incoming generations of enthusiasts may be surprised and at times baffled by things we grew up with as common items.

D70 - please do not take any of these comments as negative criticism or in anyway meant to belittle you; its just a little sobering to realize there are people out there that haven't grown up with these cars. To put it another way; its like watching your grandparents try and play a game on a Xbox for the first time and them looking at the controller strangely.
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline DAYLEY/CHALLENGER

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Re: Red Light on Speedometer
« Reply #6 on: February 14, 2018 - 05:31:43 PM »
Yes.......the little red light..........I knew what you were describing as I am 66 years old...so I did grow up with these type things.........Now , in addition to the Challenger, We have a 2015 Jeep.........and there are things on it that I do not know what they are......and really don't care as it goes and we get where we are going and back home....that's the basic transportation mode.....no since messing it up..... :bigsmile: :bigsmile:
Dave or David

Offline Pentastar Pete

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Re: Red Light on Speedometer
« Reply #7 on: November 04, 2018 - 08:56:52 PM »
Reminds me of the time I brought a 70 Duster home and my older son who was 16 at the time asked me what the buttons on the radio were for.
Reading the red light question took me right back.
Think about this, We are the last generation to know how to dial a telephone.
74 Rallye Challenger
73 Rallye Challenger
68 Charger RT

Offline 70chall440

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Re: Red Light on Speedometer
« Reply #8 on: November 04, 2018 - 09:06:33 PM »
I drug home a 52 Dodge B3B pickup, the foot starter was just one of the many things my kids could not get their heads around.
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline jimynick

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Re: Red Light on Speedometer
« Reply #9 on: November 04, 2018 - 11:31:15 PM »
My boys, who're actually pretty good gearheads, can't get it fixed in their heads that you can't reach in the window and turn the key when it's cold and have it start and stay running. Carburetors are viewed with suspicion. LOL  :cheers:

Offline 70chall440

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Re: Red Light on Speedometer
« Reply #10 on: November 05, 2018 - 12:22:25 AM »
LOL.... I was at SEMA a few years ago and was talking to an early 30 something guy who worked for a gauge company. The discussion was around AFR gauges as I was thinking of putting one in my Challenger. The discussion turned to tuning and I mentioned how builders were using them to tune carbureted cars, he stated "I have never worked on a carburetor but I want to learn". I was a bit taken back as it never occurred to me that any car guy wouldn't have worked on something with a carb. 
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline 4Cruizn

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Re: Red Light on Speedometer
« Reply #11 on: November 05, 2018 - 10:28:54 AM »
Boy times sure have changed!  Now you need to ask them to try to turn off that RED light??  Bet they never figure out that you do it with your foot!   

 :bigsmile: