Warning light I have a 1999 318i se and it wasn't supplied with an owners manual. One of teh warning lights on the left hand side comes on at start-up and remains on. It looks like a reservoir, with a tap on top rh side. Its in the left hand side warning light cluster, and its the bottom rh side light. Any assistance appreciated,

A quick guess is that one of the power sliding doors is not closing properly or the switch for that door is broken. A broken door switch would leave the door motor or interior lights on continuously and drain the battery. Draining the battery more than a few times would ruin it. Also check the front door switches for broken or missing actuators - the door ajar icon looks similar to the sliding door open icon.

I tried to download an owner's manual so I could be sure I was interpreting your dashboard icon correctly, but the oldest one available is for 1999, so my information may not be accurate.

You can get an owners manual download here: http://www.motorcraftservice.com/pubs/content/~WOYFOC/~MUS~LEN/40/00focog1e.pdf

I think that light is for the brakes. First check the brake fluid reservoir, then please see my tip at http://www.fixya.com/cars/r6004281-brake_indicator_light_stays . These are generic instructions. If you get stuck or need specific instructions for your car, please get back to me with model, year and engine info.

The vehicle owner's manual will contain that information.

refers to braking system

the light is a oil chang reminder light . it needs to be rest when the oil is changed .

The keypad code you are using, might be the factory code, and you would have to set a personal code. Directions for this are in the owners manual on page 85.
If you do not have a manual, a PDF version can be downloaded from Ford :

https://www.fleet.ford.com/maintenance/owners_manuals/default.asp

If you do not know for sure if you have the factory code ( via the card in teh owners manual ), you can read the factory code from the tag on the CSM ( Central Security Module ).
The CSM is a white / off white colored "box" ( ~ 4"x3"x1" ) located up behind the dash.

Laying on the driver's side floor, so you can look up behind the dash, you should see a white box with a sticker on it that has 5 digits on it. This is the factory code to be used with the directions to set a personal code via the directions in the owners manual.
In the picture, you will see the white box up in the left hand corner of the picture, this is the CSM with the sticker on it. The left hand side shows the parking brake ratchet, as a reference point. Bit of flexing around, but once you get on the floor with your head under the dash ( and a flash light ) it will be easy to see.

Hi John,

Had a similar problem with my Saturn. Door chime going all the time, the seat belts going up - down - up for no apparent reason.

Turned out to be the switch in the door jamb had become unseated. As it randomly made and broke contact, the cars computer thought the doors were opening and closing, then acted accordingly.

I remounted it with the help of a hot glue gun (plastic mount).

Hope this info helps with your problem.

Best regards
Mike

this sounds like the Traction/Stability control and ABS warning lights, they are art of the same system and come on together.

the 1999 elantra was not equipped with a warning buzzer for the headlights, if you leave them on.
the headlights will turn off if you shut the car off, but the parking and tail lamps will remain on

I drive a 2000 5series and the only light that sounds similar is the radiator low water warning light. worth a check.