Gaydon era Aston Martins like the Vantage, DBS, Rapide, Virage, Vanquish and my 2005 DB9 have a Drivers Information Module (DIM) located on the dash within the Tachometer face. This provides all sorts of information from your “Driver Door Open” to the more cryptic and ominous ‘Emission System Service Required’. The issue is they have a very small space to provide you a message, so they are abbreviated and not as clear as you might hope. Recently I found a great Facebook post from Dean Bufton where he documented many of the known DIM messages, and a more verbose translation that might help you out.
If you have a DIM message that isn’t on this list, please leave a comment below and we can add it to the list.
With Dean’s permission (Thank you Dean!) here is his list:
| ABS SERVICE REQUIRED | EBS (ABS/DSC) system requires attention. |
| ABS WARNING LIGHT FAILURE | EBS (ABS/DSC) warning lamp is faulty. |
| ABS/ANTI-SKID SERVICE REQUIRED | EBS (ABS/DSC) system requires attention. |
| ALARM SET OFF CHECK CAR | Security alarm was triggered whilst the car was left unattended. |
| ALARM SYSTEM SERVICE REQUIRED | Security alarm is faulty. |
| AMBER WARNING LIGHT FAILURE | EBS (ABS/DSC) amber warning lamp is faulty. |
| ANTI-SKID SERVICE REQUIRED | EBS (ABS/DSC) system requires attention. |
| ANTI-SKID TEMP OFF | SAS or the EBS (ABS/DSC) yaw rate sensor system requires attention. |
| ANTI-SKID WARNING LIGHT FAILURE | Anti-skid warning lamp is faulty. |
| BONNET OPEN | Bonnet/hood is ajar. |
| BOOT OPEN | Boot/trunk is ajar. |
| BRAKE FAILURE STOP SAFELY | EBS (ABS/DSC) system requires attention. |
| BRAKE WARNING LIGHT FAILURE | EBS (ABS/DSC) warning lamp is faulty. |
| BULB FAILURE DIPPED BEAM | Headlight dipped beam bulbs require attention. |
| BULB FAILURE DRL | Headlight or tail lamp daytime running light bulbs require attention. |
| BULB FAILURE LEFT TURN IND | Headlight or tail lamp left indicator bulbs require attention. |
| BULB FAILURE MULTIPLE BULBS | Headlight or tail lamp bulbs require attention. |
| BULB FAILURE REAR FOG LIGHT | Tail lamp fog light bulbs require attention. |
| BULB FAILURE RIGHT TURN IND | Headlight or tail lamp right indicator bulb requires attention. |
| CAN NOT SELECT PARK AT SPEED | Driver is trying to put the AMT Selespeed/EM-L into the parked position whilst the vehicle is moving. |
| CHARGE WARNING LIGHT FAILURE | Alternator warning lamp is faulty. |
| CHECK BRAKE LIGHTS | Tail lamp brake light bulbs require attention. |
| CHECK TYRES | Tyre pressures require attention. |
| CRASH MODE | Vehicle has been involved in an accident. |
| DOOR OPEN NOT IN PARK | Door is open but the handbrake has not been applied. |
| DRIVE SLOWLY SERVICE URGENT | EEC-VI or ME17.8.31 has detected a severe engine misfire and a risk of catalytic converter damage. |
| DRIVER DOOR OPEN | Drivers door is open but the vehicle is moving. |
| DSC ON | EBS (ABS/DSC) stability control has been manually switched on. |
| DSC SPIN CONTROL OFF | EBS (ABS/DSC) stability control has been manually switched off. |
| DSTC ON | EBS (ABS/DSC) traction control has been manually switched on. |
| DSTC SPIN CONTROL OFF | EBS (ABS/DSC) traction control has been manually switched off. |
| ELECTRIC SYSTEM SERVICE URGENT | Alternator system requires attention. |
| EMERGENCY BRAKE ASSIST FAILURE | EBS (ABS/DSC) emergency brake assist require attention. |
| EMISSION SYSTEM SERVICE REQUIRED | EEC-VI or ME17.8.31 has detected a problem with either the engine or fuel system. |
| ENGINE COOLANT LEVEL LOW | Engine coolant requires attention. |
| ENGINE SERVICE REQUIRED | EEC-VI or ME17.8.31 has detected either an engine misfire, a fuel system problem or an engine management sensor issue. |
| ENGINE STALLED | EEC-VI or ME17.8.31 has detected that the engine has dropped below 400rpm for more than 10 seconds. |
| ENGINE SYSTEM SERVICE REQUIRED | EEC-VI or ME17.8.31 has detected that the cruise control system is faulty and requires attention. |
| ENGINE SYSTEM SERVICE URGENT | EEC-VI or ME17.8.31 has detected that the engine electronic throttle control is faulty and requires attention. |
| FACTORY MODE | Vehicle is set in factory mode to give quick and simple information if an error occurs, without the use of diagnostic equipment. |
| FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE | EEC-VI or ME17.8.31 has detected that the engine electronic throttle control is faulty and requires attention. |
| FILL WASHER FLUID | Windscreen washer fluid requires attention. |
| FRONT BRAKE PADS | Front brake pads require changing. |
| FUEL FILLER CAP OPEN/LOOSE | Fuel filler cap is not properly secured. |
| FULL GUARD | Security alarm full guard function has been set by pressing the reduced guard button. |
| GEAR POS DISP NOT AVAIL | Currently selected gear position is not available from the AMT Selespeed/EM-L. |
| GEAR SHIFT PADDLES DISABLED | AMT Selespeed/EM-L shift paddles require attention. |
| GEARBOX FAULT NO DRIVE | AMT Selespeed/EM-L or gearbox require attention. |
| GEARBOX FAULT NO REVERSE | AMT Selespeed/EM-L or gearbox require attention. |
| GEARBOX FAULT PARKLOCK FAILURE | AMT Selespeed/EM-L or gearbox require attention. |
| GEARBOX FAULT REDUCED FUNCTION | AMT Selespeed/EM-L or gearbox require attention. |
| GEARBOX FAULT SERVICE REQUIRED | AMT Selespeed/EM-L or gearbox require attention. |
| GEARBOX WARNING OVERTEMP MODE | Gearbox is overheating and the AMT Selespeed/EM-L will only allow reduced functionality. |
| HANDBRAKE ON | Vehicle is moving but the handbrake is still applied. |
| HIGH ENGINE TEMP SEE MANUAL | Engine coolant temperature has exceed 120°C. |
| HIGH ENGINE TEMP STOP ENGINE | Engine coolant temperature has exceed 120°C. |
| HIGH ENGINE TEMP STOP SAFELY | Engine coolant temperature has exceed 120°C. |
| HOOD MAX SPEED | Convertible roof is closing/opening and is at its maximum speed. |
| ICE WARNING | Outside temperature has dropped below 4°C. |
| INFOCENTRE IS RESET | Average speed and average fuel consumption have been reset. |
| KEY ERROR | Master/primary EEC-VI or ME17.8.31 has detected a problem with the PATS transponder in the key. |
| KEY IN IGNITION | Drivers door is open but the key is still in the ignition. |
| LIMPHOME NO GEAR CHANGE POSSIBLE | AMT Selespeed/EM-L or gearbox require attention. |
| LOW BATTERY POWER SAVE MODE | Charge status of the battery is low. |
| LOW BATTERY | Charge status of the battery is low. |
| LOW BRAKE FLUID STOP SAFELY | Brake fluid requires attention. |
| NORMAL MODE | Vehicle has been removed from factory mode. |
| OIL LEVEL LOW STOP SAFELY | Engine oil level is 2.5 liters below the maximum or low oil pressure on vehicles without oil level sensor. |
| ON CALL DEACTIVATED | Telematics services have been disabled. |
| ON CALL PLUS DEACTIVATED | Telematics services have been disabled. |
| ON CALL PLUS SERVICE REQUIRED | Telematics services require attention. |
| ON CALL PLUS WILL SOON EXPIRE | Telematics services will be disabled. |
| ON CALL SERVICE REQUIRED | Telematics services require attention. |
| ON CALL WILL SOON EXPIRE | Telematics services will be disabled. |
| OVER VOLTAGE STOP SAFELY | Charging voltage of the battery is too high. |
| PASS DOOR OPEN | Passenger door is open but the vehicle is moving. |
| PASS AIRBAG OFF SERVICE URGENT | SRS (MRSC) has a passenger airbag DTC logged. |
| PATS ERROR KEY PROG FAILURE | (See PCM DTCs B1602 for more information). |
| PATS ERROR NO KEY CODE REC | (See PCM DTCs B1600 and B2431 for more information). |
| PATS ERROR NO VALID KEY CODE | (See PCM DTCs B1601 for more information). |
| PATS ERROR NVM CONFIG FAULT | (See PCM DTCs B2141 for more information). |
| PATS ERROR TRANS FAULT | (See PCM DTCs B1232 and B2103 for more information). |
| PATS ERROR TRANS NOT CONN | (See PCM DTCs B1681 for more information). |
| PLEASE PRESS BRAKE TO START | Brake pedal needs to be pressed before the car can be started. |
| PLEASE PRESS CLUTCH TO START | Clutch pedal needs to be pressed before the car can be started. |
| PRESS BRAKE PEDAL | AMT Selespeed/EM-L needs the brake pedal to be pressed. |
| REAR BRAKE PADS | Rear brake pads are worn below their minimum or the pad wear sensor wiring is damaged. |
| RED WARNING LIGHT FAILURE | Red warning lamp is faulty. |
| REDUCED BRAKE PERFORMANCE | EBS (ABS/DSC) has detected that the brakes have overheated. |
| REDUCED ENGINE PERFORMANCE | EEC-VI or ME17.8.31 has detected either an engine misfire, a fuel system problem, an engine management sensor issue or some other engine issue that requires attention. |
| REDUCED GUARD SEE MANUAL | Security alarm reduced guard function with no interior motion sensing, has been set by pressing the reduced guard button. |
| REDUCED GUARD SERVICE REQUIRED | Security alarm reduced guard function has developed a fault. |
| REMOTE BATTERY LOW VOLTAGE | Security alarm battery in the key is low or fully discharged. |
| REPEAT GEAR REQUEST | (See AMT/EM-L DTCs P1701 for more information). |
| RESTRICT PERFORM | EEC-VI or ME17.8.31 has detected that the engine electronic throttle control is faulty and requires attention. |
| ROAD FRICTION SERVICE REQUIRED | EBS (ABS/DSC) and SAS require investigation. |
| ROLL OVER PROTECT ACTIVE | ROPS rollover bar has been deployed. |
| ROOF FAIL | Volante/Roadster hydraulic roof component or CRM failure. |
| ROOF MOVEMENT COMPLETED | Volante/Roadster roof is fully opened or fully closed. |
| ROOF MOVEMENT HALTED | CRM has detected a physical problem and stopped movement of the Volante/Roadster roof. |
| ROOF MOVEMENT | Volante/Roadster roof is being opened or closed. |
| SRS AIRBAG SERVICE REQUIRED | SRS (MRSC) has an airbag DTC logged. |
| SRS AIRBAG SERVICE URGENT | (See MRSC DTCs 1/0001, 2/0002, 3/0003 and 4/0004 for more information). |
| SRS WARNING LIGHT FAILURE | SRS (MRSC) warning lamp is faulty. |
| START SWITCH IN POS 1 OR 2 | Engine is not running, but the ignition is switched on and the driver’s door is open. |
| SYSTEM CHECK | DIM is running a self-test. |
| TIME FOR REGULAR SERVICE | Vehicle service is due. |
| TRACTION CONTROL TEMP OFF | EBS (ABS/DSC) has detected that the brakes have overheated and the traction control function is disabled. |
| TRANSPORT MODE | Vehicle is set in transport mode to reduce power consumption to a minimum. |
| TYRE SYSTEM FAULT | Tyre pressure monitoring system require attention. |
| TYRE WARNING LIGHT FAILURE | Tyre pressure monitoring lamp is faulty. |
| WARNING LIGHT FAILURE | Multiple warning lamps are faulty. |
Aston 1936 