Is there an easy way to find the fault with my hanbrake warning light

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hi all, i have just become aware that my Rocky's handbrake warning light doesnt work, which of course means i wouldnt get any warning of imminent brake failure !.

So what is the easiest way to check out where the fault lies, it could be the bulb, or the handbrake warning light switch.

i had thought, very misguidedly, that i could remove the brake servo filler cap and then the brake light would come on because the sensor is out of the fluid, but of course i see now that the wires from the warning light are not in the cap (like on my car) but attatched to the reservoir where the fluid is !!!!.

does that make sense to you ?.

anyway would it be easy to trace the fault ?, please.

tim

Hi Timmy Toad does the ligh

Hi Timmy Toad
does the light come on when you switch on ignition?
anyway you could disconnect the wire at the connection block below the reservoir and use a piece of wire to short the two connection together this should make the light glow(as long as the ignition is on) alternatively you could push down the disk (float)in the reservoir with a clean rod or something as it gets to the bottom
the light should glow.
hope this helps

Timmy First, the wires going

Timmy
First, the wires going into the brake fluid reserviour makes perfect sense. There should be a round white float floating on the fluid. This has a magnet in the middle. When the fluid gets low, the float drops, and the magnet connects with contacts in the bottom of the reserviour, completing the circuit, and lighting the warning light. So to test this, push the float to the bottom of the reserviour, and see if the light comes on. You will then have to make the magnet release from the contacts with a hook, or something, as it will stay stuck to the bottom of the fluid.
Second, the switch on the handbrake could have dirt/corrosion on it, preventing the electrical contact. Give it a good spray with WD40, or similar, and maybe attack the area with some sandpaper.
These are 2 different circuits, with 2 different warning lights on the dash (unless its different in the UK) One light is the handbrake light, and the other is the low fluid light.

Cheers
David

Growing old is compulsary, growing up isnt, and MUD MAKES EXCELLENT TOOTHPASTE.
Please visit http://groups.msn.com/AussieDaihatsuRocky/_whatsnew.msnw
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Growing old is compulsary, growing up isnt.
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that is very helpfull chaps,

that is very helpfull chaps, i definitely didnt realise there could be two different warning bulbs, i shall have to check up on that.

the light that i think/thought was the hanbrake ON warning light, doesnt come on when the ignition is switched on.

tim

Check for corrosion around th

Check for corrosion around the switch, which is on the handbrake handle, under the centre console.

Even if it is a blown bulb, thata a pretty easy fix.

Cheers
David

Growing old is compulsary, growing up isnt, and MUD MAKES EXCELLENT TOOTHPASTE.
Please visit http://groups.msn.com/AussieDaihatsuRocky/_whatsnew.msnw
All views and advice offered are my own, from my own experiences. Take such advice at your own risk.

Growing old is compulsary, growing up isnt.
MUD MAKES EXCELLENT TOOTHPASTE.
I use billion dollar satellites, to find Tupperware.
Please visit http://groups.msn.com/AussieDaihatsuRocky/_whatsnew.msnw
All views and advice offered are my own, from my ow

howdy chaps, i have actually

howdy chaps, i have actually got somewhere tonight, i disconnected the plug coming from the brake fluid reservoir, and shorted out the two wires that disappeared into the wiring loom and happily the HANDBRAKE warning light came ON, so that means several things to me, firstly the bulb is OK, secondly the handbrake warning light and the Low Brake fuid warning light use the same bulb !.

So now i have to find the handbrake switch, which one you lads kindly tell me, it is attatched to the handbrake lever. so wish me luck, LOL.

tim

Yep, attached to the handbrak

Yep, attached to the handbrake lever, down beside the ratchet mechanism.

Cheers
David

Growing old is compulsary, growing up isnt, and MUD MAKES EXCELLENT TOOTHPASTE.
Please visit http://groups.msn.com/AussieDaihatsuRocky/_whatsnew.msnw
All views and advice offered are my own, from my own experiences. Take such advice at your own risk.

Growing old is compulsary, growing up isnt.
MUD MAKES EXCELLENT TOOTHPASTE.
I use billion dollar satellites, to find Tupperware.
Please visit http://groups.msn.com/AussieDaihatsuRocky/_whatsnew.msnw
All views and advice offered are my own, from my ow

cracked it .....

Yippee, i fixed it, a lot easier than i imagined, i took the console off and could see straight away it was the wire broken off the terminal that is held onto the handbrake switch by a tiny little screw, thanks for your help everyone.

BTW, while messing about with the handbrake light, it was parked out on the road, I came indoors for a a cuppa, a few minutes later a fella rang the door bell, Rocky had rolled down the road and stopped by the side of another parked car and this fella couldnt get by, i am in a close, so it didnt exactly bring the traffic to a standstill, LOL, but even so, it could have been a lot worse. so make sure you put the handbrake on.

tim

handbrake warning light

truewhite0
hi,my light failed on my fourtrak,it was the wire connected to the hanbrake itself,under the handbrake lever cover,it had snapped,5 mins to repair,job done,i hope this helps,truewhite0

truewhite0