Technical Randomly flashing dash brake light.....

[Car nut]

On reading the thread what you hate about Puntos earlier.....

It seems this another popular Punto problem.

Some guy on there said take out rear ashtray and check the two brake cables.

Well Ive done that and both looked fine.....

Whats next to check please

Just had brakes bled and new fluid in... so I know it aint that.

 

[Chung]

I think it is the brake fluid sensor in trouble - ie the one which will give you a warning light if the fluid level is too low - it's the brake fluid cap.

 

[Car nut]

Chung, my in-laws had the car b4 me and apparently its been like that for 6yrs, brake fluid just replaced so do I need a new brake fluid container cap

 

[Car nut]

By the way Chung, I love:-

FIAT, Fix It Again Tomorrow!

 

[Chung]

Hi Mate, the cap is connected to two wires, just like the toilet blob, if the fluid reduced to a level, the wires will get connected, and the handbrake (low brake fluid) light will come on.

I have a dangerous suggestion for you...pull out one end of the wire, and drive for, say 10 minutes, if the light doesn't come on, it's definitely the cap. I replaced mine recently for under 20 pounds brand new.

BUT DO REMEMBER TO RECONNECT THE WIRES AFTER THE 10 MINUTE TEST. THE CAP SAVES YOUR LIFE!!

 

[smokeyjoe03]

I have the same problem, mine started after my clutch went and needed new fluid.

Is there not a fault code or something that needs removing by a fiat computer?

Or does this light only come on when there is a problem and go away once its fixed?

 

[Chung]

Hi there, this is a simple mechanical device and has nothing to do with the computer...by the way, just to make sure that we are on the same channel, I mean the handbrake (low brake fluid light). Try what I suggested above, if it doesn't work, it will be the wiring.

You will see the 2 electrical wires right on top of the brake fluid cap.

What we all should do, is to check the device by pressing down the cap once a month, to make sure that it is working properly. Driving on low fluid without the warning light comes on.....you'll know what happens!

I need to repeat what I said above "BUT DO REMEMBER TO RECONNECT THE WIRES AFTER THE 10 MINUTE TEST. THE CAP SAVES YOUR LIFE!!"

 

[Car nut]

For the sake of £20 I'll get the new Brake fluid bottle cap and see what happens after that....

 

[Chung]

Wow, you are rich mate, but please don't blame me if this is not the problem!! Besides, I don't want you to Fix It Again Tomorrow!

 

[Car nut]

No I won't blame you.....

Have to start somewhere eliminating things

 

[Car nut]

I think it is the brake fluid sensor in trouble - ie the one which will give you a warning light if the fluid level is too low - it's the brake fluid cap.

Was at FIAT yesterday collectiong something and asked for a new brake fluid cap the one that came up in the picture did not have two sensors attached. Is this because mines an old Punto (V 2000) please take a pic and upload to show me these sensors on cap lid please someone

 

[Chung]

Hi mate, you see that orange cap, with 2 wires on the top right of the picture? My car is MKI, and there is no way your MKII car do not feature this safety circuit???

 

[Chung]

sorry, top left!

 

[Car nut]

Sorry to pull this thread up again.....

heres my little engine

Do I need the whole brake bottle - not the Cap so it has that bit on the right with it?

 

[Chung]

Hi mate, I must apologise to you that I assumed your brake reservior is the same as mine, but in fact, it is not. However, I have hence checked the wiring diagram of your model, and can confirmed to you that you indeed have a low brake fluid warning indicator. However, I couldn't quite work out how your system can be tested in a routine safety-check...so, please kindly refer to the owner's manual.

From what I can see from the picture and from the books, I believe that the circuit in your car, is instead, wired to the bottom of the reservior. Before you spend any money, I would suggest that you first find out how the low brake fluid indicator testing could be administered - I couldn't find this instruction from Haynes manual.

I am very sorry about this.

 

[smokeyjoe03]

In a mark 2 as said above the brake fluid sensor is UNDER the resevoir. Its a little black plug.

The light on your dash can be caused by four things.
1) Low brake fluid
2) handbrake may be riding up slightly
3) Brake system may need bleeding
4) clutch may need bleeding (this is what caused mine to come on (i think)).

 

[Car nut]

Hi mate, I must apologise to you that I assumed your brake reservior is the same as mine, but in fact, it is not. However, I have hence checked the wiring diagram of your model, and can confirmed to you that you indeed have a low brake fluid warning indicator. However, I couldn't quite work out how your system can be tested in a routine safety-check...so, please kindly refer to the owner's manual.

From what I can see from the picture and from the books, I believe that the circuit in your car, is instead, wired to the bottom of the reservior. Before you spend any money, I would suggest that you first find out how the low brake fluid indicator testing could be administered - I couldn't find this instruction from Haynes manual.

I am very sorry about this.

No Probs Chung

Anyone else any suggestions

 

[Car nut]

Whats next to check please

Just had brakes bled and new fluid in... so I know it aint that.

Just to reitterate -Just had brakes bled and new fluid in

In a mark 2 as said above the brake fluid sensor is UNDER the resevoir. Its a little black plug.

The light on your dash can be caused by four things.
1) Low brake fluid
2) handbrake may be riding up slightly
3) Brake system may need bleeding
4) clutch may need bleeding (this is what caused mine to come on (i think)).

Hi Joe, thanks for the reply, definatly not 1 & 3

2) when you touch hand brake it does go off - what do I need to do check?

4) Is there a guide for this if 2 doesnt sort it - or shall i say is there an idots guide

Though I must say changed rocker gasket at the wkd in 20mins was well chuffed was gonna do a guide then found there was one

 

[smokeyjoe03]

2) Just push the handbreak down without pressing the button and see if it moves much. (make sure the handbreak is off first)
If it does it may be too tight and need loosening off a little.

4) There is a bleed nipple on the cylinder but the battery has to come out to get to it

 

[Car nut]

2) Just push the handbreak down without pressing the button and see if it moves much. (make sure the handbreak is off first)
If it does it may be too tight and need loosening off a little.

It did move so not to tight but just been out test driving it after working on it, when the the light came on, oved hand brake up and down ever so slightly and it went out (the light)