The handbrake light on my sei sporting has got into a tendency of flashing on and off under hard acceleration, and when the engine gets to high revs it stays on permanently as soon as you shift into the next gear it goes out, until the revs build again, its basically acting as a shift light, apart from in 5th where it doesn't come on at all not even at 5500rpm! I am guessing this is a loose connection how would you access the switch, from underneath the car? Any help to fix would be most appreciated although i will miss my lil shift light!! I would appreciate a reply although i bet a lot of you are polishing and busy getting your beauties ready for stanford!!

Well it could be the connection to the back of the light but its more likely the switch thats under the handbrake. With the handbrake on you can see it. Its near where the handbrake pivots, push on it and the light will go off. Not sure how to remedy the prob cos dunno whats actually broken yet. Have a play with a few things to see if you can narrow it down.

Charlie does it sometimes. I find smacking the handbrake towards the floor puts the light out. I know the handbrake is off but sometimes the light still comes on. A quick smack and it soon disappears. Could be something like has been mentioned and the little switch could be sticking slightly.

poor connection on the back of the switch or just a collection off crud(technical term)in the switch sensor

I think it also warns of low brake fluid, so check your pads for wear.

Cheers

D

rallycinq said:

I think it also warns of low brake fluid, so check your pads for wear.

Cheers

D

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Yeah I'm pretty sure that's why it's coming on.. Check the brake fluid level, and your brake pads.

Common probs with the Sei. You will find it happens up steep hills too. It is something to do with the float moving in the brake fluid reservoir and resting on the terminal when pushed to the side of the capsule hard (e.g. in situations like hard acceleration and steep inclines).

Ahh yeah forgot that light had a dual purpose.

Errrr, nothing to do with brakes or fluid had a full racing tarox conversion done at middle barton garage, where it had a full brake overhaul in february and it was off the road for 2 months being repaired after my accident! Can the float stick in the resevoir, might it be worth checking it out?? Also i am going to change the sensor under the handbrake just to check!! I'll let you know! ITs just stupid coz it never used to do it!

I take it you have just checked the brake fluid now anyway? Just to be sure?

At the Fiat I was told that this is deffinatelly problem with lower (not low) level of brake fluid. As you accelerate hard it keeps splashing in reservoir that is what causes the sensor to go off. if you had your brake fluid filled up and it is still on than it might be problem with some conection of the sensor on the handbrake or something like that

This has been a common problem on the Bravs too. Often see posts about it. Usually it's either pads, fluid or the connection to the brake fluid reservoir cap, the latter of which applied to mine after a cambelt change.

Crimping the connection to the cap often solves the problem.

it sounds stupid but you need to tighten your handbrake cable slightly, if its loose (which i suspect it is haveing had so much brake work done) the cable will have a slight lifting effect on the handbrake lever thats why they do it.
just give the adjuster a few turns.