Handbrake Warning Lamp

[DaveA]

Hi

Can anyone out there suggest what could be the problem with my Brava 1.2 SX80?

I noticed recently that the Handbrake Warning Lamp was coming on for a few seconds at random times when driving along.

I've watched out for it coming on and it seems there is a pattern. Normally the light remains off while driving but when cornering hard on either a left hand bend or left corner, the light comes on, then goes off once the steering wheel is returned straight.

No lights/problems when cornering right, at any other time in normal driving, or if I take the left corners deliberately slow.

I drive cars, I don't do repairs so I haven't a clue where to start. Any/all suggestions welcome.

Cheers
DA

 

[Ryan]

i very much doubt it is linked to the steering wheel, because it doesnt go on when your driving slowly and turning, the likelihood is that there is a loose connection somewhere along the line, and when you drive hard, the motion of the corner is making a connection somewhere, check the wiring for your handbrake!

 

[Ryan]

it also could be the warning light (not sure the name of it) in my car when i skid the handbrake light (i think) comes on, and if your cornering hard it could be to do with the fact your sliding therefore the light will come on!

 

[Mark]

Check your brake fluid level !!

That would cause the light to come on when turning a corner...

 

[Wimmy]

As above and also the brake pad connector located on the left front wheel. This could be loose and catching when cornering

 

[Fox_E]

I used to have that problem!
What to do is take the gaiter off surrounding the handbrake lever. There's a nut inside. That needs tightening. Just get a wrench n click the lever up by 4/5 clicks n tighten the nut.
VUALLAAA! ( i kno this aint the correct spellin)lol
Light should only appear then when the handbrake is engaged.

 

[Lewisb1989]

Handbrake light

i dnt have a lighton my dash that tells me whem my hand brake is on is this correct or hs my bulb gone or sumin. It works fine im JW.

 

[jordon]

it's a loose connection

definately a oose connection mate. Mine started doing it when i turned my bass up just came on when the car rattled. just had an auto-elec i know of have a look. took im all of 15 minutes.

 

[axle]

I agree with mark, Fluid level. One way to check is to disconnect the wiring plug to the handbrake. If the light still comes on then it is deffo the fluid

 

[Mark]

Fox_E, that nut is to adjust the handbrake cable, and has nothing to do with the electrics.

Also, having the handbrake up and turning the nut will only stretch the cable even more.

Always do it with the handbrake lever down, and you'll find you can turn it with your fingers.

 

[axle]

I had that problem Wimmy with mine. The wire was earthing, I just pulled it out of the pad.Disconnected it from the cable. I am sure the warning light for that is different for handbrake & low fluid

 

[DaveA]

Thanks guys, checked the Brake Fluid and it is low. I'm off to by some (DOT4 according to the filler cap?) now.

Only thing now is that I'm just a bit concerned as to why it's low? Could it be a leak, or is this normal and it just requires topping up over time?

Sorry for the basic questions, as I said previously, anything under the bonnet is foreign territory to me.

Cheers
DA

 

[Tommy L]

When this happened to me, I topped the fluid up and all was fine for another few weeks until it happened again!

It was leaking fluid at the clutch slave cylinder! Underneath the battery tray, check whether there's any signs of fluid leaking onto the gearbox!

 

[axle]

the fluid will drop with pad/shoe wear so check for excessive wear. check the caliper pistons and brake cylinders for fluid leakage.inside the wheels can be covered in fluid. replacement slave cylinders the only cure, not expensive.

 

[Dietrich]

My brakepad wear cable snapped... Although a light appeared, it was not the handbrake light.

My handbrake light also went through a stage of flickering. Luckily, in true Fiat style, it just stopped and returned to normal after a few days...

Reading elsewhere, low brake fluid could be a good call. Speaking of which, is DOT4 ok? The service manual suggests DOT5, which is considerably more expensive.

Tom

 

[Mark]

The handbrake/low fluid warning light is different to the pad wear light... well on my HGT it is anyway... not sure on lower power/ older models though.

Dot4 is ideal for everyday use.

 

[axle]

Yes pad wear light is different. the point I was trying to make was the reason for low fluid.the pad can wear pretty thin (about 1 or 2mm) before it activates the warning light which is a substantial lowering of the fluid in the resevoir.