I have recently had the car back from the garage, it needed the slave cylinder replacing. Now to do this they removed the battery, which makes sense as its located under the battery tray.

When they finished they reconnected my sub wire and all other wires that I can see (except for my alarm) but now the handbrake light on my dashboard comes on and goes off randomly when I am driving. The handle isn't riding up or anything so it seems an electrical problem.

I did recently fit my alloy wheels but I drove it with these on and it never happened so I am almost positive nothing is catching. Plus the total wheel diameter never changed cos the tyres are smaller, so I don't think this is the problem.

Any ideas, like a bad battery earth or something?

Check your brake fluid level. The light also means your low on brake fluid

When the slave cylinder was done they probabily didnt top up with enough brake fluid after they bled it. Top it up with some DOT4 fluid (or take it back and get them to). If it keeps going down check for leaks on and around the slave cylinder, could be a loose connection as its recently been messed with.

It is also worth noting you may need to bleed the brake system dependant on how much has gone out of it if it is low fluid causing the indication.

Mdeko said:

Check your brake fluid level. The light also means your low on brake fluid

When the slave cylinder was done they probabily didnt top up with enough brake fluid after they bled it. Top it up with some DOT4 fluid (or take it back and get them to). If it keeps going down check for leaks on and around the slave cylinder, could be a loose connection as its recently been messed with.

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Thanks, I checked this afternoon and the fluid is just above the max line in the resevoir. Nice to know this light indicates brake fluid levels, never knew that.

5abr3 said:

It is also worth noting you may need to bleed the brake system dependant on how much has gone out of it if it is low fluid causing the indication.

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Yeah I'll bleed them tomoz, however surely the brakes would feel spongey if they hadn't been bled properly? And the brakes feel ok to me?!

I was also told that some of the sensors might be loose or dirty, where are the sensors for the brake warning light?

You may end up with bubbles from refilling the brake fluid as opposed to nearer the callipers as far as I am aware. Not sure on the location of the sensors I'm afraid.

There is a sensor (i assume its the low fluid level sensor) towards the bottom of the brake fluid resoviour

Hi mate,

When this light comes on, does it go off if you mess about with the hand brake? Ie push down on it etc? Or does it not make a difference. As could be dodge hand brake switch.

If it was an ABS fault (ie abs sensors), the ABS light should come on, not the (!) one.

TBH, I would take it back to the garage that changed the clutch slave cylinder if they have caused it, rather than spending your own time trying to fix it. Its not worth taking the risk with the breaking system.

Alan

a1ant said:

Hi mate,

When this light comes on, does it go off if you mess about with the hand brake? Ie push down on it etc? Or does it not make a difference. As could be dodge hand brake switch.

If it was an ABS fault (ie abs sensors), the ABS light should come on, not the (!) one.

TBH, I would take it back to the garage that changed the clutch slave cylinder if they have caused it, rather than spending your own time trying to fix it. Its not worth taking the risk with the breaking system.

Alan

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Its not the hnadbreak riding up cos I have tried pushing it flat and that didn't cause it to go away. Its also not an ABS problem cos my car doesn't have abs as far as I am aware.

I will take it back to the garage this weekend if i can't solve it in the meantime, I was just asking in case it was something simple.

Thanks for all the relplies so far guys

Hi SmokeyJoe.
Did you sort out your problem with handbrake light. To be honest i have got exactly the same problem now. They have changed my head gasket, unplugged the battery as well...... Now i have this handbrake light jumping all around. People in the garage looked a bit confused cause they toped up brake fluid and still light is playing....... Thx