I need to know what a green light on my dash means, 2000 Mercury Sable.?

Question

There is a warning light coming on the upper left side of my dash. It is green and looks a bit like a fan with air blowing out. It comes on and only stays on for like 2 seconds and then it's gone. I have tried to show it to my father, so I can ask him, but it never stays on. The car seems to be driving okay, and I really can't afford to go to a mechanic with out knowing anything about what is wrong.

Answer 1

look in the manual

Answer 2

If you want to show him which one it is turn the ignition to the on position and all the dash light should come on with out starting the car.  

Answer 3

It could be faulty? Possibly why the first owners got rid of it

Answer 4

It is the traction control light, I coppied the owner inforamtion and included it below.

Traction ControlY active (if equipped)

Momentarily illuminates when the

ignition is turned to ON. It also

illuminates when the Traction

Controly system begins applying

and releasing the brakes and

adjusting the engine characteristics to limit a wheelspin condition. It will

be lit for the duration of the Traction Controly event.

For more information, refer to the Driving chapter.

TRACTION CONTROLY (IF EQUIPPED)

Your vehicle may be equipped with the optional Traction Controly

system. This system helps you maintain the stability and steerability of

your vehicle. It is especially useful on slippery and/or hilly road surfaces.

The system operates by detecting and controlling wheel spin. The system

borrows many of the electronic and mechanical elements already present

in the anti-lock braking system (ABS).

Wheel-speed sensors allow excess front wheel spin to be detected by the

Traction Controly portion of the ABS computer. Any excessive wheel

spin is controlled by automatically applying and releasing the front

brakes in conjunction with engine torque reductions. Engine torque

reduction is realized via the fully electronic spark and fuel injection

systems. This process is very sensitive to driving conditions and very fast

acting. The front wheels “search” for optimum traction several times a

second and adjustments are made accordingly.

The Traction Controly system will allow your vehicle to make better use

of available traction on slippery surfaces. The system is a driver aid

which makes your vehicle easier to handle primarily on snow, ice covered

and gravel roads.

Driving

During Traction Controly operation,

the traction control active light will

illuminate, you may hear an electric

motor type of sound coming from

the engine compartment and the

engine will not “rev-up” when you push further on the accelerator. This

is normal system behavior.

The Traction Controly on/off switch, located on the right side of the

instrument cluster, illuminates OFF when the system is turned OFF. The

Traction Controly system will revert to the ON position every time the

ignition is turned OFF and ON.

If you should become stuck in snow or ice or on a very slippery road

surface, try switching the Traction Controly system off. This may allow

excess wheel spin to “dig” the vehicle out and enable a successful

“rocking” maneuver.

If a system fault is detected the traction control active light will

illuminate, the Traction Controly on/off switch will not toggle on and off,

and your vehicle should be serviced as soon as possible.