Technical brake warning lights

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Technical brake warning lights

Arfurski

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Hi folks

I got in the car today after 4 days of no use and as I drove away, the handbrake light and abs light came on at the same time. All the brakes seem to be fine and the handbrake works fine. Anybody experienced this before? Tia. Arfurski.
 
After four days, a weak battery may well be low on power. If so, all sorts of warnings will pop up, quite likely not relevant to the actual problem. If you have a voltmeter, check battery voltage, before you start the car, while cranking if possible, and once engine running. Then again immediately after turning the engine off, and again half an hour later.
Note the readings and report. That'll help identify if battery is good, or near the end of its life.

Also remove the left rear lamp and check the connector. They have a habit of getting hot, especially the earth connection, and this causes strange signals from the ECU.

All sorts of strange warning s may occur, causing panic, but the causes are usually simple and cheap to fix.
 
Hi folks

... as I drove away, the handbrake light and abs light came on at the same time. All the brakes seem to be fine ...


so they did not pop-up immediately ? Any other info on the display (depend of the trim level) ?
I've had that exactly same thing when power cable to the ABS controler had broken (worn against a metal edge) Strip, solder, insulate, protect and all went fine again :-D

Blown fuse would do the same I guess ...

BRs, Bernie

If someone here helped You fix -or better, understand- your issue, hit the thanks icon @ bottom right corner, it's free and makes us feel helpy ;-)
 

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so they did not pop-up immediately ? Any other info on the display (depend of the trim level) ?
I've had that exactly same thing when power cable to the ABS controler had broken (worn against a metal edge) Strip, solder, insulate, protect and all went fine again :-D

Blown fuse would do the same I guess ...

BRs, Bernie

If someone here helped You fix -or better, understand- your issue, hit the thanks icon @ bottom right corner, it's free and makes us feel helpy ;-)

Thing is bud, when im sitting on a fairly steepish hill the lights dont come on when i start the car but as soon as i drive away, the lights come on. If im parked flat, the lights are on the second i turn the ignition on. Topped up the fluid and it still does it. Odd.
 
I would still suspect the brake fluid level sensor … How is it doing when down-hill ? It (the sensor) is a simple switch, try to jump it (the wires) to rule-out the sensor …

BRs, Bernie

If someone here helped You fix -or better, understand- your issue, hit the thanks icon @ bottom right corner, it's free and makes us feel helpy ;-)
 
I would still suspect the brake fluid level sensor … How is it doing when down-hill ? It (the sensor) is a simple switch, try to jump it (the wires) to rule-out the sensor …

BRs, Bernie

If someone here helped You fix -or better, understand- your issue, hit the thanks icon @ bottom right corner, it's free and makes us feel helpy ;-)

The light stays on if i go up or down a hill. If im parked on a hill then turn the car on, the lights are off until i drive away. Was thinking it was an abs sensor but cant justify buying all 4 just now. Is the fluid sensor an easy fix? Tia.
 
The 'handbrake' light is a secondary function. It is a brake failure warning light, often just for fluid level. It doubles as the handbrake light to test it every time the handbrake is used. This ensures it is functioning when necessary.

A faulty handbrake light switch can cause problems, but will not usually illuminate any additional lights.
Fluid level low will usually only trigger the one light.

As the ABS light is on, this points at an ABS fault, two lights on may be a function of the warning, to ensure it gets the driver's attention.

If you've checked the fluid level, and the handbrake switch, you can also visually check the wiring from each wheel sensor. These are in vulnerable locations and can be damaged by road debris, twigs, plastic bags, etc.

If visual checks don't locate anything obvious, before replacing anything, the system needs to be read by either the dealer diagnostic machine, or better, MultiECUscan (MES) (Lots of threads on here about this wonderful piece of software). A system read will probably pinpoint the location of whatever sensor or component the ECU is unhappy with. A standard code reader will not read ABS codes, as the diagnostic standard is for powertrain only.

If you update your profile with your location, there may be someone nearby with MES willing to help.
 
The 'handbrake' light is a secondary function. It is a brake failure warning light, often just for fluid level. It doubles as the handbrake light to test it every time the handbrake is used. This ensures it is functioning when necessary.

A faulty handbrake light switch can cause problems, but will not usually illuminate any additional lights.
Fluid level low will usually only trigger the one light.

As the ABS light is on, this points at an ABS fault, two lights on may be a function of the warning, to ensure it gets the driver's attention.

If you've checked the fluid level, and the handbrake switch, you can also visually check the wiring from each wheel sensor. These are in vulnerable locations and can be damaged by road debris, twigs, plastic bags, etc.

If visual checks don't locate anything obvious, before replacing anything, the system needs to be read by either the dealer diagnostic machine, or better, MultiECUscan (MES) (Lots of threads on here about this wonderful piece of software). A system read will probably pinpoint the location of whatever sensor or component the ECU is unhappy with. A standard code reader will not read ABS codes, as the diagnostic standard is for powertrain only.

If you update your profile with your location, there may be someone nearby with MES willing to help.

perfect thank you for the response. Ill get the local garage to scan it for me. Location updated. thanks again.
 
perfect thank you for the response. Ill get the local garage to scan it for me. Location updated. thanks again.

If it is a Fiat dealer or Fiat specialist, or someone with Fiat specific software, you will get meaningful results from a scan. If they are just using generic scanner software, the codes may not tell us what we need.
 
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