Handbrake light coming on under WOT

[Spotlamp]

Hey guys,

Anyone ever seen their handbrake light come on under heavy acceleration?  It only seems to happen in 1st and 2nd under WOT then goes out once the acceleration stops.  I think the light acts as a warning for the brake fluid level too, but that seems fine.

Anyone seen this or know where to start looking for a fault?

Cheers
H

[Jono FD3]

Check the float in the brake reservoir, I have known them to take on fluid and sit lower than they should (on other cars, no experiance with this on the FD), Also anothe quick test: next time you welly it in 1st / 2nd, press down on the handbrake lever, it may be lifting slightly and activating the worning light?

Jono

[John Yorke]

Might be worth checking your pads, from memory I think there is a warning if your pads are below the required?

[allstaruk]

The light comes on when the brake fluid is low, if your pads are well worn then this can be causeing it or if the lever is lifting slightly or you have a fluid leak somewhere that was the case for me, it started on WOT so I topped it up and a week later the leak got bad enought that I lost the clutch.

[andrewrx7]

My light flashes on occasionally - on my car it is the handbrake gaiter that causes it. It is leather, and quite stiff, so the handle occassionally sits just high off the central console. The ight goes off as soon as I push the handbrake handle down that extra mm or 2.

[strange_days_uk]

Yeah, happens on mine too.  Is cause the lever lifts slightly so the light comes on.  Hold the lever down and it won\'t happen :-()

[Spotlamp]

Thanks for the posts guys.  It looks as though it was fluid level in the end, it was sat about half way between max and min but didn\'t seem to like it under acceleration.  Topped it up to just under max and no light.

Thanks again
H

[robedwards99]

I have noticed this too.

Strangely if I apply the handbrake the light doesn\'t come on.  Is it just a warning light that the fluid is low?? and if the fluid were to leak out would it land on anything hot to make a smell as I have the occasional funny smell too...

[robedwards99]

I take it that was a yes then??

[andrewrx7]

Strangely if I apply the handbrake the light doesn\'t come on.  Is it just a warning light that the fluid is low?? and if the fluid were to leak out would it land on anything hot to make a smell as I have the occasional funny smell too...

If you apply the handbrake, and no light comes on, then you\'ve got a problem. It is a warning light..... so it lights up if there is an issue. If you put the handbrake on, and no light on the dash, then you\'ve either got a blown bulb, your micro switch on the handbrake isn\'t working (or stuck?) or something else (a short? fuse? etc).
Not sure about the leak  - but the servo and master cylinder is near (but not over) the turbos and downpipe. Viscous fluids like brake fluid may not drip immediately but may run along pipes to a suitable dripping point....if you suspect a leak you should get it looked into asap. This is your brake system here! Not something you want to be working poorly or want to fail!!