DIC Lamp Warnings

[KM AXer]

Can someone clue me in as to how the DIC system decides to warn of a light being out?

I used to get Tail Lamp warnings, traced that to an intermittent contact for one of the lights for the license plate. Sometimes the right one would not illuminate, but with a couple of taps it would come on and the DIC would chill. I wound up taking the light out and cleaning the contacts, no problem since.

Now, I am getting a constant Stop Light indication, and the system is pointing to the High Mount Stop Light in the back window. The first time it came on, the bulb was indeed out, so I replaced it with one that I had in an old stash. The light works. But the DIC still says that it does not. Call me anal, but I'd prefer to have NO problem indicators going off on the dash anywhere, unless there really is some issue.

So, is the exact bulb used of any consequence? I can install a brand new one, if for instance it is the resistance of the filament which determines whether the system triggers.

Tired of the "ding, ding, ding" and the light on the dash.

[mikeluscher159]

Clean all the connections on both sides light clusters
Then buy 2 bulbs of the same brand and replace both

See if that fixes it.

[Roadrunner]

DIC essentially compares resistance of entire circuits to what they theoretically should be.
3rd brake light in my 93 had issues too. Ended up replacing lamp holder since original had gotten too hot and plastic was not holding contacts in place well.

[KM AXer]

OK, I think I get it. This spot only has a single large bulb I think, with only one filament. I can't say that what I put in there has anything other than the right style of base. So I'll get a new bulb of the correct type and check out the socket when I swap bulbs.

Thanks guys.
(fingers crossed)

[KM AXer]

The 3rd stop light warning signal is OUT!

Put in a new bulb this evening, started the car, activated the brakes a few times.... Out Goes The Light!

Now...Who can tell me where the dang low coolant sensor is?

That warning comes on intermittently. The system is NOT low, no air in it, no cooling issues, etc.

If I swap that out, or maybe start with cleaning the contacts... All warnings will be off on the dash!

The ABS and TC lights are out, now that I swapped in another ABS unit. And the car got 4 new wheel bearings with built-in sensors last August. ABS works, not going to try TC unless I can get in some loose gravel. Or I might just wait until winter....

[Pontiac1]

I had these same two issues with my car,the low coolant sensor is on the passenger side half way down the the radiator.I pulled it out and plugged the leak with rubber gloves.I then cleaned the buildup on it and put it back in,problem solved.The third brake light was a bad socket and a frayed wire.I cut it off behind the fray,went to the junkyard and got one for next to nothing.This solved the light issue to this day,but make sure you use the correct bulb as the system does not like anything else.