Vauxhall Mokka / Mokka X Dash Lights + Warning Symbols Explained

The Vauxhall / Opel Mokka first went on sale in 2013 and was renamed to the Mokka X in 2016. As with almost all modern cars, dashboard warning lights are used to indicate a fault, something is switched on/off or maintenance is required. This dashboard lights cover the Vauxhall Mokka and Mokka X.

Understanding your Mokka Warning Lights

Basic colour systems are used to inform the driver how urgent the warning is. Most warning lights comes on at start up as a ‘self-check’ but should go out a few seconds later. If they stay on or come on when driving, it’s advisable to investigate, particularly if the light is red.

• Something has been activated: This will usually be highlighted by a green or blue symbol.
• Something has been switched off: If it’s something that is usually on by default such as a safety feature, this will usually be highlighted by a amber / yellow symbol.
• Maintenance is required: The engine or some other component requires servicing or maintenance will be highlighted by an amber / yellow symbol.
• Malfunction / fault: May be highlighted by an amber / yellow symbol or if the fault may result in vehicle damage or risk to vehicle occupant safety, the symbol will be red.

Vauxhall Mokka / Mokka X Dashboard Warning Lights

Here we detail the various Vauxhall Mokka / Mokka X dashboard warning lights / symbols with their meaning, how urgent the fault is and what action to take. In some instances, warning lights may accompany a fault code – See Vauxhall Mokka fault codes list for further details.

Green Warning Lights

The Vauxhall Mokka green warning lights are used to indicate a function is in operation.

Warning light name: Hazard / Indicators
Warning light priority: Medium
Explanation: The two green arrows flashing indicate that the hazard warning lights are active or a single arrow displays the left or right direction indicators are active. Rapid flashing: failure of a directional indicator bulb or associated fuse, failure of indicator bulb on trailer.
What to do: Check bulbs and replace. If bulbs do not require replacement, check fuse. Faulty wiring may be the cause otherwise.

 

Warning light name: High Beam Assist
Warning light priority: Low
Explanation: This green symbol indicates that the Vauxhall Mokka / Mokka X high beam assist function is active. The function will automatically turn high beam on when the vehicle exceeds 25 mph (40 km/h). It switches automatically to low beam when:

• The camera or a sensor in the windscreen detects the lights of oncoming vehicles.
• The vehicle speed drops below 12 mph (20 km/h).
• There is fog or snow.
• Driving in urban areas.
  What to do: If high beam assist fails to function, ensure the camera location around the internal mirror is clean on the windscreen.

 

Warning light name: Exterior Lights
Warning light priority: Low
Explanation: Green symbol indicates that the exterior lights / side lights are switched on.

 

Warning light name: Front Fog Lights
Warning light priority: Low
Explanation: Green symbol indicates that the front fog lights are switched on.

Amber / Yellow Warning Lights

Amber or yellow warning lights usually inform that something requires maintenance / servicing or that a function has been switched off.

Warning light name: Passenger Airbag 
Warning light priority: Medium
Explanation: This yellow symbol indicates that the front passenger airbag has been activated.

 

Warning light name: Front Passenger Airbag 
Warning light priority: Medium
Explanation: This yellow symbol indicates that the front passenger airbag has been deactivated.

 

Warning light name: MIL
Warning light priority: Medium / High
Explanation: The Vauxhall Mokka / Mokka X Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL), or engine fault light may either illuminate constantly in yellow or flash.
What to do: Carry out the following procedure if the engine fault light comes on:

• Constant: This is an emissions fault where the permissible legal emission limits have been exceeded. You can continue driving. This is often caused by a sensor fault. Have fault rectified as soon as possible to avoid complications.
• Flashing: This may indicate engine misfire where unburnt fuel escapes into the exhaust. This can cause extreme temperatures that may damage the catalytic converter. Reduce speed, avoid high engine speeds. If light remains on, have engine looked at as soon as possible

There are many potential faults associated with the engine warning light. The symbol is generic and when the light comes on, fault codes are stored in the vehicle’s ECU. Fault codes need to be read by using a diagnostic tool. All good vehicle workshops have these tools.

Warning light name: ABS
Warning light priority: Medium
Explanation: The Vauxhall Mokka / Mokka X is equipped with an Antilock Brake System (ABS), which is a safety system that prevents the wheels from locking. The system regulates brake pressure the moment is detects locking up. This enables the driver to steer whilst under heavy braking. When braking under harsh conditions, to maintain optimum braking, depress the brake pedal fully. You may feel a pulsating sensation, this is ABS working.
What to do: If this light stays on after engine start or comes on when driving, it indicates a fault with ABS. Normal brakes will work as usual, but you’ll no longer have the safety benefit of ABS. This fault is typically the result of a wheel speed sensor malfunctioning.

 

Warning light name: ESC
Warning light priority: Medium
Explanation: Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is a safety feature on the Vauxhall Mokka / Mokka X. It
improves driving stability when necessary, regardless of the type of road surface or tyre grip. When instability is detected, engine power is reduced and the wheels are braked individually. ESC can be manually turned on but is operational by default after each engine start. The ESC light may come on constantly or flash.
What to do: The following occurs depending on whether the ESC light is constantly on or flashing:

• Constant: There is a fault in the system and a message appears in the Driver Information Centre. The system is not operational. You can still drive but stability may deteriorate depending on road surface conditions. ESC relies heavily of ABS wheel speed sensors and is usually the cause of a fault.
• Flashing: The system is actively engaged. Engine power may be reduced and the vehicle may be slowed and braked automatically by a small amount.

 

Warning light name: Traction Control
Warning light priority: Medium
Explanation: Traction control is part of Electronic Stability Control (ESC). If the tyres begin to spin, engine output is reduced and the wheel spinning the most is braked individually. This system improves the stability of the vehicle on slippery road surfaces.
What to do: Traction control can be manually switched off when turning off ESC. If there is a fault with ESC, traction control will also be disabled.

 

Warning light name: Diesel Preheat
Warning light priority: Low
Explanation: For diesel models of the Vauxhall Mokka / Mokka X only, this yellow symbol is the diesel preheat, or also called glow plugs light.
What to do: The symbol only activates when the outside temperature is low.

Warning light name: Tyre Pressure Monitor
Warning light priority: Medium
Explanation: The tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) dashboard light will either come on continuously or flash.
What to do: The TPMS light may remain lit or flash:

• Continuously: Tyre pressure loss has been detected. Stop immediately and check pressures.
• Flashes: There is either a fault with the tyre pressure monitoring system or a tyre has been fitted without a sensor (E.G. spare tyre). After 60-90 seconds the warning light illuminates continuously.

 

Warning light name: Immobiliser
Warning light priority: Medium
Explanation: The car with a padlock yellow symbol is the Vauxhall Mokka engine immobiliser function. If it flashes, it indicates a fault with the system.
What to do: If the immobiliser light is on or flashing, try a different keyfob. If you still cannot gain entry to your vehicle, open the door using the key. At this point the alarm is likely to go off but should stop once you place the key in the ignition. This may be due to some temporary interference. If the problem persists, seek assistance from authorised engineer.

 

Warning light name: AFL
Warning light priority: Low
Explanation: The adaptive forward lighting symbol illuminates constantly or flashes.
What to do: The AFL light may remain lit or flash:

• Constant: The adaptive forward lighting system needs a service.
• Flashes: flashes for approximately 4 seconds after the ignition is switched on as a reminder that the system has been activated. Whilst driving – System switched to symmetrical (directly forward facing) low beam. The asymmetrical headlight beam extends visibility at the edge of the road at the passenger side.

 

Warning light name: Fog Lights
Warning light priority: Low
Explanation: Yellow symbol indicates that the rear fog lights are switched on.

Warning light name: Diesel Filter
Warning light priority: Medium
Explanation: A filter collects diesel soot to reduce the environmental impact. This symbol indicates that the diesel particulate filter is full and requires cleaning and is often the result of frequent short trips. The light may come on constantly or flash:

• Constant: The diesel particle filter is full. Start cleaning process as soon as possible.
• Flashing: The maximum filling level of the filter is reached. Start cleaning process immediately to avoid damage to the engine.

What to do: Typically the cleaning process is done automatically without the driver being aware, if manual intervention is required signaled by the warning light coming on, initiate the cleaning process. To activate cleaning process, continue driving and keep the engine speed above 2000 rpm.

If necessary, change down a gear to keep the engine speed high enough. Diesel particle filter cleaning is then started. Warning light will extinguish once cleaning is completed. If the light is flashing and the cleaning process is interrupted, there’s a risk of severe engine damage. If the car with spanner light comes on , cleaning is not possible. Call qualified engineer.

 

Warning light name: FCA
Warning light priority: Medium
Explanation: This is the Vauxhall Mokka Vehicle Detected Ahead / Forward Collision Alert Symbol. The forward collision system helps to avoid or reduce the harm caused by front-end crashes. The car symbol displayed in green or yellow.
What to do: The light comes on either in green or yellow:

• Illuminates green: A vehicle ahead is detected in the same lane.
• Illuminates yellow: The distance to a moving vehicle behind gets too small or when approaching another vehicle too rapidly. A warning chime may also signal.

Red Warning Lights

The red Vauxhall Mokka dashboard warning lights are the most serious and require immediate attention – particularity if flashing and/or accompanied by an alarm signal.

Warning light name: Airbag
Warning light priority: High
Explanation: The red airbag warning light should come on for a temporary period of time during start up. If the light does not come on at all, or comes on when driving, it indicates a fault with the airbag system. The airbags and seat belt pretensioners may
fail to trigger in the event of an
accident.
What to do: Have airbag system checked as soon as possible. Check all wiring connections below the front passenger seat are all in place. This is where part of the system is located and sometimes comes lose.

 

Warning light name: Charging
Warning light priority: High
Explanation: The red battery light coming on while driving is an indication that the charging system has failed and the car battery is no longer charging. This may have several affects – engine cooling may be interrupted. The brake servo unit may cease to be effective which will require significant more force required to press the brake pedal.
What to do: It’s advised to switch off any electrical equipment that is not essential. You may be able to continue to drive for a short period of time. Stop at a repair shop if possible.

 

Warning light name: Brake / Clutch Fluid
Warning light priority: High
Explanation: The red exclamation mark in a circle can illuminate on the Vauxhall Mokka for two possible reasons.
What to do: The brake / clutch warning light illuminates for the following reasons:

1. The manual hand brake has been applied.
2. The brake and clutch fluid level is too low. It is strongly advised not to continue your journey.

 

Warning light name: Oil Pressure
Warning light priority: Severe
Explanation: Under normal circumstances, the red oil light comes on at start up for a short time then goes out. If the light comes on when driving, it indicates low engine oil pressure. Engine component lubrication may be interrupted with the potential of causing significant damage.
What to do: As quickly but as safely as possible, move out of traffic flow and stop in a safe and legal position. You will not be able to continue your journey. Arrange for vehicle recovery.