handbrake light won't go off.........

[TravellingChick]

Should I be worried?

Went on a 4 day weekend to Norfolk last weekend and Tink ran fine but noticed that the handbrake light is permanently on.

The handbrake is definately off adn there is absolutely no drag etc so it must just be a wiring issue but it's a bit of a worry.............

Any opinions?

[T'Onion]

lift up the rubber boot from around the hand brake , there will be crap around the spring switch if thats ok check the brake fluid reservoir and top it up

[TravellingChick]

oooh right, I'll have a look.

Can I have a clue about where to top up the break fluid - is it the same as the other brakes? Oh, and while I'm asking dumb questions, is there any special sort of brake fluid I need to get?

Thanks!

[pocolow]

Ditto ...if that fails stick a piece of tape over the light...problem solved Mark....Brake fluid is in a reservoir behind the speedo.Unclip the instrument binicle and there you are..I use Dot4 universal brake/clutch fluid.(Dot 4 is a grade of fluid,not a make,I got mine from Halfords)

[TravellingChick]

Okay cool, thanks Mark.

I knew where the resevoir was, just wasn't sure if it served all the brakes including the handbreak.

[T'Onion]

iirc some have a sensor switch on the cap , handbrake light comes on to warn you that the fluid is low , the reservoir serves the clutch as well

[VWCamperfan]

Just to let you know... The handbrake is controlled by cable from the handbrake lever to the rear brakes. It's a seperate system so doesn't use the brake fluid.

[TravellingChick]

ah right, so brake fluid reservoir doesn't come into it?

hmmmmm................

[jed the spread]

ah right, so brake fluid reservoir doesn't come into it?

hmmmmm................

No it works off a cable and only operates the back breaks.

jed

[T'Onion]

but if the fluid is low in the bottle ,then the handbrake warning light will come on

[VWCamperfan]

Confused yet????!!!!!!!!

[T'Onion]

Confused yet????!!!!!!!!

yup

[Ian Hulley]

The red warning light is illuminated by either (or both) the parking brake lever being in other than the 'OFF' position or/and the brake/clutch fluid level being below the recommended level in the shared reservoir.

Ian (on behalf of the Prain Ingrish Society)

[TravellingChick]

Confused yet????!!!!!!!!

YUP!!!!!

The red warning light is illuminated by either (or both) the parking brake lever being in other than the 'OFF' position or/and the brake/clutch fluid level being below the recommended level in the shared reservoir.

Ian (on behalf of the Prain Ingrish Society)

Fankooo wery wery muchie Eeeeeyun.

[Steve T]

TC, check this first in case it is just a simple fix https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/VW ... ning_light" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Steve