light on my dash lit up... help

So I was just driving home a a light on my dash lit up.its above the temp gauge.looked in Manuel couldn't find it. It lookalike a "f with two waves under it"please help...

It went away after I turned my truck off for about 5 minutes just don't want to do any damage.

 

Coolant temp light. Did temp seem higher than usual on the gauge?

 

Hmm interesting now why would it go on? Just did a full flush level is good and temp gauge didn't change any from normal always sits in the middle....

 

yea thats the coolant light. check your radiator and hoses. squeeze the hoses and if you feel cracking, your hoses need to be changed out. also check reservoir.

does the temp gauge climb when you turn the car off? if hoses are good, check the water pump for any leaks. if all checks out, reset the battery.

 

Possibly just an electrical anomalie, my windshield wiper fluid light used to come on for no reason, plenty of fluid/pump worked fine, it'd just come on from time to time

 

I had a '90 4Runner, temp light came on with gauge appearing normal. Turned out thermostat was faulty. Gauge didn't read the temp change but the sensor still flipped the light.

 

Reservoir has cool and all hoses are fine no leaks..

 

probably just a fluke. reset the battery and if light comes back on, its probably your thermostat giving incorrect readings.

remove positive cable from battery and recoonnect after 10 minutes to reset

 

So went yp to the store about 10 minutes away light came on again drove home. In plugged battery waited 10 and light is still on.. this be a sign of my thermostat about to lick the bucket? And I just haven't seen any over heating yet?

 

So the light is only on when I turn on my head lights? SO STRANGE! !!

I would think that if it was my cooling system it would be glowing no matter if my lights were on or off correct?

 

So it's only on with the headlights on? I'd say a short. Correct, if it was a correct signal it would light up no matter if the headlights are on or not.

 

Yes its only on with the headlights. Looks likening going hunting for wires in the truck this weekend

 

Any clue where I should start?

 

Get rid of the truck.

 

Not going to happen

 

Just a test. Good to hear.

 

take it to a machanic and see if they could give you some kind of computer diagnostic to trace if something is grounding out or shorting. other than starting your search at the fuse box, it will be difficult to trace the wires once they get deep in the vehicle if the short is somewhere there. check the fuses too. check the relays too. if theres a short its most likely somewhere at the fusebox or anywhere where the wires would pass through a metal hole like entering the firewall. check for frayed wires. you may need some kind of diagram so you know what wire you're looking for. theres many different colored wires, each having its own purpose. if you cant find any diagrams online, go to your local autoparts store and look at a clifton book just so you can find out what color wire(s) you're looking for. take a picture of that page with your phone

 

Lol uh made myself paranoid now im thinking stuff is happening when it might not actually be doing anything lol.

When at a stop and fully warmed up what rpm should I be at?

 

750-ish?

Just a tick under "1"

 

Mmmmm, the symbol means bacon is ready.