Handbrake Light?

[D4MJT]

Hi,

I'm having an intermittent issue with my handbrake light. I say issue, it's not causing me any problems, but I want to check it out with you guys. The red light that comes on when I have my handbrake applied keeps lighting up now and again during driving. Usually this is after perhaps some wheelspin on ice, or hard braking. It doesn't go away if I apply the handbrake say 1 or 2 clicks and release it quickly, I have to stop the car and restart for the light to go off.

Any ideas? Does this light indicate anything other than the handbrake being applied?

I keep forgetting I'm from the UK and a lot of you guys are US based, so handbrake = e-brake, parking brake etc.

Thanks!

 

[johnd]

Have you checked your brake fluid level? If the level is low the e-brake light comes on.

 

[D4MJT]

I haven't, and I didn't know that, so thanks, that's really helpful.

My brakes are due a rebuild in January as they're diabolical.

 

[supraguy@aol]

Yeah- what he said-
If the light comes on during hard accel or hard braking, it's definately the fluid level.

 

[got_boosted]

Yeah- what he said-
If the light comes on during hard accel or hard braking, it's definately the fluid level.

Yup.

 

[Clip]

my ebrake light would flicker along with the doors open and battery lights, but that's the alternator going bad. yours sounds more like the brake fluid sensor

 

[ForcedTorque]

If you are low on fluid, you need to find out why!

 

[DigityD'87]

This just happended to me as well and it was infact the fluid level. My hand brake also doesn't work at all and when you engage it, it makes a god awefull crunch toward the rear end lol. I also have no rear brakes what so ever, so burn-outs are very easy lol. But good news is I have a complete set of oversized slotted rotors and calipers on the way.

 

[D4MJT]

If you are low on fluid, you need to find out why!

Damn straight I do yeah, I haven't had the car long, it's possible the fluid level is simply low, but I'll be sure to check it out, leaky brakes is most definitely not cool.

The light was off all the way home, so the level must just be getting borderline low, I'll check it this am.

 

[Poodles]

Fluid level going down is natural with pad wear...

It's also the reason you watch the fluid level when doing a brake job as you have to compress the caliper pistons displacing the fluid back to the res. and causing it to overflow (brake fluid eats paint, so this it bad...)

 

[b4ublink]

Have you checked your brake fluid level? If the level is low the e-brake light comes on.

my light stays on.it dosent go on and off it just stay on.any idea?

 

[GrimJack]

my light stays on.it dosent go on and off it just stay on.any idea?

Have you checked the fluid level?

 

[ForcedTorque]

I believe that light also signifies a problem in the ABS system

 

[b4ublink]

Have you checked the fluid level?

its at the proper level.

 

[NewWestSupras]

Make sure the little plastic handbrake on/off switch is working right as well. It's just a little plunger type and they can get wonked if misaligned.