Post #1
Was driving home from the Safari park today and the handbrake light started flickering whenever I went over a bump and any uneven ground. handbrake wasn't on and i didn;t notice anything changing by pushing the handbrake down or pulling it up a little. Can I safely assume it's just the switch and just ignore it?
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displaying posts 1 to 17 of 17
| Author | Subject: Handbrake light on dash flickering? |
 misschief
Seasoned Pro  Location: Livingston Registered: 08 Apr 2009 Posts: 1,042 Status: Offline |
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 Posted 4th Jul 2010 at 03:31
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tvrfan007
Seasoned Pro  Location: In the garage Registered: 29 May 2005 Posts: 3,488 Status: Offline |
Post #2
Low brake fluid level in the master cylinder.The handbrake light doubles up as a warning. ________________________________________ I'm Si btw Night Blue VW Golf GTD Bianca LBSC Rallye - Track/Road Slag Project Thread Sparkling Silver Mini Cooper D - Super Dooper  - (The other half's wheels) |
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Posted 4th Jul 2010 at 04:08
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misschief
Seasoned Pro Location: Livingston Registered: 08 Apr 2009 Posts: 1,042 Status: Offline |
Post #3
Hmm that is a little worrying, I had the brake pipes replaced about 6 months ago and the system was bled and new fluid used at the same time. |
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Posted 4th Jul 2010 at 04:44
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tvrfan007
Seasoned Pro Location: In the garage Registered: 29 May 2005 Posts: 3,488 Status: Offline |
Post #4
not necessarily a sign of a leak. If you're coming up to pad and disc replacement all round it can be enough to trigger it as you've displaced quite a volume of fluid - assuming it was max at the time. Have a nosey.________________________________________ I'm Si btwNight Blue VW Golf GTD Bianca LBSC Rallye - Track/Road Slag Project Thread Sparkling Silver Mini Cooper D - Super Dooper - (The other half's wheels) |
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Posted 4th Jul 2010 at 12:57
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chris with a pug
Seasoned Pro  Location: Southampton Registered: 16 Feb 2003 Posts: 5,366 Status: Offline |
Post #5
Doesnt that light do the pad wear sensors too? |
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Posted 4th Jul 2010 at 15:49
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jeffers
Forum Admin Location: Leeds Registered: 14 Dec 2003 Posts: 3,702 Status: Offline |
Post #6
Yes the pad wear sensors turn that light on, check your front pad matey! ________________________________________ Team Running Engine again!Team Negative Camber! My Budget track engine build thread! Now appearing at a Trackday near you!!  |
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Posted 4th Jul 2010 at 16:47
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misschief
Seasoned Pro Location: Livingston Registered: 08 Apr 2009 Posts: 1,042 Status: Offline |
Post #7
So where will I find the brake fluid reservoir? Discs got changed a couple of years ago according to the receipt I found so perhaps it's just pads. |
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Posted 4th Jul 2010 at 19:06
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tvrfan007
Seasoned Pro Location: In the garage Registered: 29 May 2005 Posts: 3,488 Status: Offline |
Post #8
It's the master cylinder. Open the bonnet, back left right behind your oil filler cap.Pad sensor as above is a good suggestion. I don't have those on mine, but surely they would bring on a permanent light as it'll have eaten through the sensor? ________________________________________ I'm Si btwNight Blue VW Golf GTD Bianca LBSC Rallye - Track/Road Slag Project Thread Sparkling Silver Mini Cooper D - Super Dooper - (The other half's wheels) |
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Posted 5th Jul 2010 at 00:08
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thugpuggin
Seasoned Pro  Location: Bristol Registered: 10 Apr 2004 Posts: 26,784 Status: Offline |
Post #9
Not pads, well not on phase 3's anyway as that brings on a different light.________________________________________ Black X Reg PIII.VGTi 6 A4212 pt 1 A4212 pt 2 Searching the streets of Bristol for 1.36p/day.Joint Kent Leader |
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Posted 5th Jul 2010 at 00:15
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misschief
Seasoned Pro Location: Livingston Registered: 08 Apr 2009 Posts: 1,042 Status: Offline |
Post #10
I have a Phase 2.5. will check the master cylinder next time I have the bonnet open. |
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Posted 5th Jul 2010 at 01:29
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rich-6
Seasoned Pro  Location: Bottoming out! Registered: 06 May 2007 Posts: 5,306 Status: Offline |
Post #11
Nor on phase 2s as they have a seperate light, as above it's the master cylinder level________________________________________  RIP Pete Sims |
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Posted 5th Jul 2010 at 21:57
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misschief
Seasoned Pro Location: Livingston Registered: 08 Apr 2009 Posts: 1,042 Status: Offline |
Post #12
Righto cheers guys. This is why I love this place sometimes, fantastic advice and quickly too! Will get some Dot 4 (as it says on the cover) asap. I don't see a 'Min/Max' marker on it though, is it dangerous if I overfill? |
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Posted 6th Jul 2010 at 04:16
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stu
Seasoned Pro  Location: Milton Keynes Registered: 22 Aug 2006 Posts: 5,525 Status: Offline |
Post #13
IIRC the marker is on the left hand side of the reservoir as you look at it when standing in front of the car. |
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Posted 6th Jul 2010 at 05:36
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tvrfan007
Seasoned Pro Location: In the garage Registered: 29 May 2005 Posts: 3,488 Status: Offline |
Post #14
As above, they're marked on the left hand side of the master cylinder. Max is written with a little arrow pointing just below the 'flat' roof of the actual reservoir, if you ignore the part with the neck/cap.________________________________________ I'm Si btwNight Blue VW Golf GTD Bianca LBSC Rallye - Track/Road Slag Project Thread Sparkling Silver Mini Cooper D - Super Dooper - (The other half's wheels) |
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Posted 6th Jul 2010 at 17:27
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misschief
Seasoned Pro Location: Livingston Registered: 08 Apr 2009 Posts: 1,042 Status: Offline |
Post #15
Ok, so how much should I be buying of this stuff? Will 250ml be enough? Should I buy 500 or 1L? is it likely I have a leak somewhere or just the brake fluid being 'used'? |
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Posted 8th Jul 2010 at 05:05
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misschief
Seasoned Pro Location: Livingston Registered: 08 Apr 2009 Posts: 1,042 Status: Offline |
Post #16
Spot on as always guys. Filled it up (and a little bit more, will it cause a problem?) and no light all the way home. |
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Posted 9th Jul 2010 at 05:04
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tvrfan007
Seasoned Pro Location: In the garage Registered: 29 May 2005 Posts: 3,488 Status: Offline |
Post #17
Not really a problem if you have a little too much fluid in. It is probable there wasn't a top up after new brakes were fitted (ie master cylinder never returned to max level) or your pads and discs are all heading for replacement.  ________________________________________ I'm Si btwNight Blue VW Golf GTD Bianca LBSC Rallye - Track/Road Slag Project Thread Sparkling Silver Mini Cooper D - Super Dooper - (The other half's wheels) |
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Posted 9th Jul 2010 at 17:25
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