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Handbrake dash light always on?
gregf27 - 21/3/12 at 08:33 PM

Hi all,

The handbrake warning light on my F27 has sudenly decided to permantly stay illuminated when the handbrake is off??

Have replaced the handbrake swith and it still does it? any ideas as to the cause?


cheers

Greg

daniel mason - 21/3/12 at 08:38 PM

fluid level sensor?

coozer - 21/3/12 at 09:26 PM

Aye, brake fluid low level. Check it quick before you run out of brakes!

wylliezx9r - 21/3/12 at 09:58 PM

As said already check your brake fluid. The light is actually a brake fluid warning light, the hand brake is a used as a means of testing the light. There is no actual requirement for a hand brake warning.

tomgregory2000 - 21/3/12 at 09:59 PM

Also its NOT a handbrake light!!!

The handbrake is used as a check method for the low fluid level warning light to make sure the warning light still works.

Check the fluid level

Chippy - 21/3/12 at 11:18 PM

But should you check the fluid level and find that its up to level, then check the wire that goes to the handbrake switch and see if it is shorting out, because all the switch on the handbrake does is put it to earth. HTH Ray

gregf27 - 24/3/12 at 06:59 PM

Thanks everyone all sorted out -

Twas indeed - low brake fluid level!!! - it had just gone under the low mark on the reservoir.

All topped up with fresh fluid.
Thanks again troops

Greg

iank - 25/3/12 at 07:17 AM

<grumble>
Car manufacturers putting the brake fluid warning light test switch on the handbrake probably seemed really clever when some bright spark suggested it, but it leads to people not knowing what the light is really there for!

Wonder how many people have died because they didn't treat the light with any urgency
</grumble>

rusty nuts - 25/3/12 at 10:04 AM

quote:
Originally posted by iank
<grumble>
Car manufacturers putting the brake fluid warning light test switch on the handbrake probably seemed really clever when some bright spark suggested it, but it leads to people not knowing what the light is really there for!

Wonder how many people have died because they didn't treat the light with any urgency
</grumble>



RTFM???

iank - 25/3/12 at 02:08 PM

quote:
Originally posted by rusty nuts
quote:
Originally posted by iank
<grumble>
Car manufacturers putting the brake fluid warning light test switch on the handbrake probably seemed really clever when some bright spark suggested it, but it leads to people not knowing what the light is really there for!

Wonder how many people have died because they didn't treat the light with any urgency
</grumble>



RTFM???


Given the number of people on here over the years that have made the same mistake it fails the 'bleedin' obvious test' required for consumer grade machine interfaces.
Maybe there should be a little sign that lights up saying "stop now, brake fluid low - unless you're a numpty who's left the handbrake on!"