What Does That Light On My New Holland Diesel Tractor Dash Really Mean?

Today’s tractor dashboards are complicated things, and yours might have dozens of lights and symbols. Some, like the brake warning light, are familiar and easily recognized. Others may be completely unfamiliar. When a light comes on, it’s important to know how to react. Here are the New Holland dash light symbols and what they mean. This information comes from the New Holland Operator’s Manual for a large tractor.

New Holland Tractor Controls, Instruments, Operation Indicator, and Warning Lights

Colored indicator lights provide operating information or give warning of system malfunction. Warning lights may be accompanied by an audible sound.

Indicator and Warning Lights

NOTE: All indicator and warning lights will light up for a second when you turn the key. This is a diagnostic feature.

1. Not used.
2. Fast Steer – Comes on when fast steer function is activated.
3. Differential lock – Comes on when the differential lock is engaged.
4. Four wheel drive – Comes on  when front wheel drive is engaged.
5. Trailer turn signal – Flashes with tractor/trailer turn signals when a second trailer is attached.
6. Trailer turn signal – Flashes with tractor/trailer turn signals when a trailer is attached
7. Parking lights – Comes on when the tractor parking lights are on.
8. Headlight high beam – Comes on when the tractor lights are on high beam.
9. Red Stop light – If Stop light comes on stop the tractor immediately and investigate the cause. A warning symbol will appear in the Dot Matrix Display to confirm the location of the fault.
10. Not used.
11. Amber Warning light – This light advises caution. It will be accompanied by a warning symbol in the Dot Matrix Display. Stop the tractor and investigate the cause.
12. Direct drive indicator transmission only – Indicates transmission is in direct drive.
13. Parking brake – Light will flash when the key-start switch is on and the parking brake is engaged. If the key-start switch is turned off and the parking brake not applied, or the operator leaves the seat without applying the handbrake, a warning buzzer will sound for approximately 10 seconds or until the handbrake is applied.
14. Trailer brake pressure (Italy only) – Light will illuminate to indicate that hydraulic oil pressure to the trailer brake circuit is low. Stop the tractor and investigate the cause.
15. Brake pedals not latched – Light comes on to show when pedal latch is unlocked (Japan only).
16. Engine oil pressure low – Steady light accompanied by the Red Stop light indicates low engine oil pressure. Stop the engine and investigate the cause.
17. Creeper gears – Light comes on when creeper gears are engaged.
18. Auto P.T.O. function – The light comes on when the Auto P.T.O. function is enabled. Each time the implement is raised with Auto P.T.O.activated, the light will flash. When the implement is lowered into work the light will stop flashing and become steady.
19. Fuel level low – Light will come on when the tractor requires re-fuelling.
20. Right turn indicator – Flashes with tractor right-hand turn signal. Intermittent alarm will sound if indicator is not cancelled after 20 seconds (tractor moving) or 5 minutes (tractor Stationary)
21. Not used.
22. Left turn indicator – Flashes with tractor left-hand turn signal. Intermittent alarm will sound if indicator is not cancelled after 20 seconds (5 minutes with tractor stationary).
23. Not used.
24. Cold start device – Light will illuminate when the grid heater is activated using the key-start switch.
25. Alternator – Light comes on steadily when the alternator is not charging the battery

New Holland Dot Matrix Warning Symbols

Symbol	Display	Alarm Level	Issue	Action
	Flashing	Critical	Engine overheated. The RED warning light will also come on.	Each of these symbols advise of an issue critical to tractor operation. When they start flashing, stop the tractor as soon as possible to investigate the cause. If you can’t easily fix the problem by adding fluids, bring the tractor in for service immediately.
	Flashing	Critical	Engine oil pressure low. The RED warning light will also come on.
	Flashing	Critical	Transmission/Power steering pressure low. The RED warning light will also come on.
	Flashing	Critical	Hydraulic system charge pressure low. The RED warning light will also come on.
	Flashing	AMBER – Non-critical RED – Critical	Transmission oil temperature too high. The RED or AMBER warning light will also come on.
	Flashing	Non-critical	Air Brake Pressure low. AMBER light will also come on.

New Holland Maintenance Symbols

Symbol	Display	Alarm Level	Issue	Action
	Flashing	Non-critical	Engine air filter blocked	Each of these symbols advise of an issue that may become critical to tractor operation. When they start flashing, stop the tractor as soon as possible to investigate the cause. If you can’t easily fix the problem, bring the tractor in for service at your earliest convenience.
	Flashing	Non-critical	Brake fluid level low.
	Flashing	Non-critical	Hydraulic oil filter blocked.
	Flashing	Non-critical	Transmission oil filter blocked.
	Flashing	Non-critical	Water contamination in fuel.

New Holland System Fault Symbols

Symbol	Display	System	Action
	On	Engine	System fault symbols relate to an operational fault in one or more of the tractor’s main components, either, electrical, mechanical or hydraulic. The symbol may be accompanied by a four digit fault code to help your mechanic diagnose the problem.
	On	Engine Cooling System
	On	Transmission
	On	Differential Lock
	On	CAN BUS Malfunction
	On	Electronic Draft Control
	On	Front – 3-Point Hitch
	On	Braking System
	On	Rear P.T.O. System
	On	Front P.T.O. System
	On	Front Suspension
	On	Front Wheel Drive
	On	Instrument Panel Electrical Fault
	On	Fast Steer System
	On	Front Electric Remote Valves

New Holland System Fault Symbols

Symbol	Display	Alarm Level	Issue	Action
		Action required	Clutch pedal not depressed	Informational: Push clutch pedal.
		Action required	Shuttle lever in drive	Place shuttle lever in neutral.
		Action required	Parking brake applied	Release parking brake.
		Non-critical	Wheel slip limit exceeded. AMBER warning light also on.	Reduce implement draft load.
		None	DMD backlighting level	Informational: Shows instrument panel backlighting level.
		Critical	Air brake system pressure	See ‘Warning’ symbols for air brake pressure.
		Critical	Engine oil pressure level.	See ‘Warning’ symbols for engine oil pressure.
		May be Critical or Non-critical	Rear P.T.O. engaged, operator not present. AMBER or RED warning light will also be on.	If accompanied by critical alarm (RED), engage parking brake.
			EHR remote valve not functioning, insufficient oil flow. (May also show R2, R3, R4).	Reduce oil flow to other services.