Hand brake light flashing up when hand brake not on

Hand brake light flashing up when hand brake not on

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Discussion

Riley26

Original Poster:

290 posts

132 months

Sunday 16th February
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My hand brake light occasionally flashes on for a second or so when my handbrake isn't on. Any ideas of the potential issue? Thanks

Dog Biscuit

824 posts

12 months

Sunday 16th February
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Riley26 said:
My hand brake light occasionally flashes on for a second or so when my handbrake isn't on. Any ideas of the potential issue? Thanks
Assuming its a manual handbrake then its likely a failing contact/short in the switch mechanism near the level

snuffy

11,287 posts

299 months

Sunday 16th February
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Dog Biscuit said:
Assuming its a manual handbrake then its likely a failing contact/short in the switch mechanism near the level
I think I've read before that this can happen when cornering on some cars. i.e. as the lever moves, that causes the switch contact to activate.

Athlon

5,449 posts

221 months

Sunday 16th February
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Check the brake fluid level...

Olivergt

1,937 posts

96 months

Sunday 16th February
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Athlon said:
Check the brake fluid level...
This....

Some cars ( Nissan Micra K11 for example) use the hand brake light as the low brake fluid warning.

It should also be a quick and easy check to tick off the list.

Riley26

Original Poster:

290 posts

132 months

Sunday 16th February
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Thanks I will do I'll check the brake fluid is a 51 plate car Suzuki swift

Riley26

Original Poster:

290 posts

132 months

Monday 17th February
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Thanks for the advice yes it's low. Can I just add any brake fluid?

Olivergt

1,937 posts

96 months

Monday 17th February
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Riley26 said:
Thanks for the advice yes it's low. Can I just add any brake fluid?
I would think dot 4 would be fine, but please confirm for yourself.

This is what the ssoc says:

https://www.sssoc.co.uk/forum/topic/brake-fluid-2/

Cold

16,011 posts

105 months

Monday 17th February
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It;s a sealed system so you have to ask where it's gone. Is it just getting low due to brake pad wear or is there a leak?

Riley26

Original Poster:

290 posts

132 months

Monday 17th February
quotequote all
Can it evaporate at all. I don't think it's been topped up in years. Services have just been oil and filter I think. It's just on the low line now when cold

Olivergt

1,937 posts

96 months

Monday 17th February
quotequote all
Riley26 said:
Can it evaporate at all. I don't think it's been topped up in years. Services have just been oil and filter I think. It's just on the low line now when cold
It will go down a small amount as the pads wear. If it's just on the low mark, I would suggest that is the likely cause.

If it was me, I would top it up to the full mark and then keep an eye on it.

I would also try and get a look at the pads to see if they are getting close to needing to be replaced as well.