Hello, could anyone tell me what the red light on my dashboard to the left of the steering wheel (LHD) is for? I know that the one to the right is for the overdrive notification but I'm unsure of the other one's function.

Thanks in advance!

On my 66 the red light illuminates and blinks when the choke is engaged. Look for a little switch mounted under the hood on the choke lever fastened to the windshield washer pump bracket.
Bob
66S

Unless you've owned the car since new and know otherwise, I'm going to suggest that your "choke-on" lamp was added by a previous owner. The red warning lamp to the left of the tach didn't appear in production until the 1968 model year in the US (1969 in some markets), and it was always a brake warning lamp AFAIK.
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Gary L - 142E ITB race car, 73 1800ES
BlueBrick Racing Website
YouTube Racing Videos

Interesting. This setup has always struck me as a lot of fuss just to indicate that the choke is in use, as if the increased idle speed wouldn't provide a clue.
Bob
66S

Hello,

I have seen 140/160 Volvos with a "CHOKE" reminder light.

Someone probably installed one of those choke switches and reminder light.
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Eric
Hi Performance Automotive Service (formerly OVO or Old Volvos Only)
Torrance, CA 90502

Thats right my 1974 144 has the choke light (amber) and the OD light (green). Its has a single carb. Yes it sounds like a hassle but i do like the novelty of it... My newer cars dont have both lights.. :)
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1974 144GL, 1996 940 GL LPT

The late 140/early 240 clusters have the choke light spot within them with no bulb installed. It was a '72 140 that we scrapped that I saved the choke knob/mechanism that had the ground terminal for a choke light thinking I'd install it in my '69 and wire it to the alternator warning lamp built into the Fiat Spider tach I mounted on the dash--never got around to it though. -- Dave

If you're talking about the red lamp that is just to the left of the tachometer, it is the brake warning lamp. It is supposed to come on if the handbrake is set, but also illuminates when there is a partial failure (front or rear) of the dual braking circuit.
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Gary L - 142E ITB race car, 73 1800ES
BlueBrick Racing Website
YouTube Racing Videos

Ah, that sound like it makes the most sense. I'll have to check that bulb and trace my wires, hopefully its all hooked up and works. :) Thanks!

New Owner;

Welcome to the Forum!

As others have stated, the original function of that indicator was to show Handbrake OR Pressure Differential between dual systems...but since the lamp is supplied by Ignition Power, and the other side grounded by either the switch monitoring Handbrake position OR difference between brake systems (see item 20 on wiring diagram: http://www.sw-em.com/1800E%20Wiring%20Diagram.jpg), it was a simple matter to add a third switch monitoring the choke...(I also have an indicator on the Snow Weasel for this...while waiting for the engine to warm up while I'm driving like a "Little Old Lady" it's rather obvious to me that carbs are choked, but it's a good reminder to know when the choke is activated, because once the temp needle is of the peg, I'm probably driving at RPMs where it is not so obvious that the choke is engaged), and by making it blink, this indication cannot be misinterpreted to mean the other items which are being sensed...a rather ingenious way of getting the most out of one Indicator, really.

See also: http://www.sw-em.com/checkchoke.htm

Cheers