Hi there

I have a 1998 Marea 125HD. The brake warning lights (both the red handbrake and the ABS) are on intermittently, usually after rain but not always. I recently had the car serviced and MOT'd and the car failed on these lights. They hooked the car up to the computer, cleared all error messages and that was it - PASS. Since then the lights have come on intermittently. I have no idea what the problem could be unless there is either a faulty sensor (if so, how would you check for this) or something else. If anyone has any idea what this could be - I don't think it is the ABS system but am open to opinion - I would be very grateful. As I said, it happens intermittently but I would prefer that it doesn't happen at all.

Cheers

have you checked the brake fluid level

Yes, have checked this and it is fine. Still getting intermittent lights on. Any other ideas other than to take it to a Fiat garage/specialist?

might be dodgy switch on the handbrake

Bill

The thing to do is get the errors cleared, then get it tested again when a light has been on to find what caused that error.

next time it happens, pull over and give the handbrake a bit of a bash. if that doesnt switch the light off open the bonnet and tap the brake fluid reservoir. if that doesnt sort it then try disconnecting the low pad wear indicator harness, if the light stays on try bridging the 2 wires on the pad sensor using a piece of wire. if it still wont go out, take it for a diagnostic check.

ABS light does not light up when break fluid is low, so that is not your problem.

I had exactly the same problem with my Marea, both lights flicker, and then stay on. When ABS light is on, ABS does not work. If I stop the car and start again, both lights are off (until the next time). It lasted 2 weeks or so, and then just stopped. It has to do something with dirty ABS sensors or loose connection.