Why the light "auto" comes on on the dash board

[n33d1e]

Hi all!
Apologies if I missed this somewhere, but couldn't find any information. The car is Clio 1999yr, 1.6 automatic, petrol. There is a light that shows "auto" and some picture, it is under/in the rpm meter. It lights up randomly, both on cold and hot car. If I stop the engine and start it again most of the time it doesn't come back on. There is serious loss of power. Today I tried to go uphill with this light on and even setting the gear at "1" didn't help. After restarting the car everything was fine and I climbed successfully. The mechanic who prepared the car for me said it was some sort of self protection and will not come up when the car is hot. But it does...
Can you please give me some directions please. What this light means(couldn't find it online) and why it pops up.
Thank you!

 

[MicKPM]

I believe that is the auto box malfuntion light and its telling you to seek help

 

[n33d1e]

Do you have any explanation why it does that?

 

[MicKPM]

Many... low oil pressure, BVM valve faulty, torque converter fault or any of around 10 other electrical faults.

Proper diags needed... the end

 

[n33d1e]

Time to make the mechanic "happy" I suppose... Thanks alot for the help!

 

[morgam23]

Time to make the mechanic "happy" I suppose... Thanks alot for the help!

​Are you sure the mechanic knows about Renault vehicles? Your vehicle is going into Limp Mode and as suggested by MicKPM, you need to run diags ASAP.

 

[MicKPM]

You really need to see what the box and its associated management system is seeing to make it turn the light on.

My best guess is an issue due to low oil level, low oil pressure or a BVM fault.

 

[n33d1e]

About this limp mode, I read that it limits my rpm to 2500. In my case it doesn't, I can reach 3000, haven't tried more.

 

[Zeitgeist0190]

I wouldn't be stressing the engine in limp mode, your gearbox is obviously seriously unhappy about something. As above, get it checked asap on proper diagnostic equipment.