Unusual fault fixing

[voodoopenguin]

Probably should go in the technical section but it isn't very technical!

For months now I have had the red brake warning light on. After checking the very important things like fluid level I came (hoped) to the conclusion it was a faulty handbrake switch and put it on my list of things to do when I have a free moment.

A couple of weeks ago I was doing some long overdue weeding on our gravel drive and had to move the van a few times. On one occasion there was a horrendous noise so stopped quickly, went to put the handbrake on and found I had forgotten to release it so it wasn't a major problem. From that point on the red warning light has only come on when the handbrake is on and dutifully goes off when I release it.

Maybe the very short driving with the handbrake on loosened some crud.

Paul

[itchyfeet]

My hand brake light didn't work for years, it now sometimes does randomly but more important things in life than fixing it ( actually I never remember to look at it which means it's not important)

[jrt]

I had the van over a year until I read in another post about the handbrake light not working. Went straight outside in the dark to check mine and it was only then I realised it didn't work.
Cleaned up the connections under the rubber lever boot and hey presto red light on the dash
David

[scottbott]

every so often when the van is not moving and I put the windscreen washers on the handbrake warning light comes on,give it some rapid squirts and it lights up at the same time,move off and try it and the light does not come on,the light has not been working for a while when putting the handbrake on,just got to the stage where I forget about it

[Aidan]

don't forget to periodically check the light works when the fluid level is low, there is a test button on top of reservoir cap, take handbrake off, ignition on and press button light should come on, this is quite important safety stuff, similarly if light comes on and handbrake isn't on when driving stop and check fluid level and for leaks, especially if you have a gravel drive and small fluid leaks not very noticeable