Markus

Ok, a few questions for you guys.

In the past the handbrake light has stated on, even when the handbrake was off, sometimes it cleared itself sometimes not.

opening up the brake fluid resivour and tapping the white floater thingy seems to fix for a while.

Now it seems it's staying on, or it comes on under modderate to hard braking, then stays on until you move then goes out.

Now it's nearly always on.

Why???

Fluid level is low (am told it's dot 5.0 fluid, where can u get this? I've seen dot 4 and 5.1 but not 5.0 and I know you can't mix them) so could this be it???

Also, the floater in the resivour does float but it does seem to tip towards the back of the groove it's in, so it's not perfectly level, is this normal, could this be the cause?

rear pads n discs seem ok, and are not totally shagged.

Car does brake ok, and there are no fluid leaks, so I'm happy(ish) with it. BUT, suzy is driving it whilst I'm not in the UK and so I'm rather concerned as brakes are rather handy.

any help?

Beastie

iTrader: (2)

Could be your front brake pads are worn and the wear indicator contacts are coming into contact with the disc, thus triggereing the light when you brake. Your symptoms sound exactly this.
Beastie

[This message has been edited by Beastie (edited 26 September 2001).]

Markus

thanks, but I'd be seriously worried if it was my front pads as they and the disks and hoses were replaced in april/may this year and I've not done any trackdays or real hard braking.

Pads are EBC greenstuff, so any idea if they have a wear indicator and if so wear (sorry bad pun)

DJB

I think that the warning light you are seeing is related to low brake fluid. In most cars, the brake fluid reservoir has float which if it falls below a certain level will activate a warning light. The level is presumably borderline so the fluid shift when you brake is enough to set off the light. You must top the brake fluid soon to prevent drawing in air into the system and brake failure.

There is no warning light on my MY98 for low pads whatever the type of pad.

D.

Markus

DJB
the fluid is a bit (10 - 20 mm) about the min level, so this could well be the problem, don't want air in the system so I will get it toped up asap

any ideas how much brake fluid a scoob should use? complete new fluid was put in around april/may when I had the new discs, pads and braided hoses fitted.

Pete Croney

Markus, if the level was OK in April, I would check your front pads.

Some people have reported incredibly fast wear with these pads and this would explain where the fluid has gone.

Markus

Thanks pete, will check the pads when I get back from the usa in a few weeks, but by that time they will need new pads because suzy has been driving the car

Beastie

iTrader: (2)

Markus
My MY97 was bad for the light coming on even with the correct fluid level. Used to come on on steep hills although the level was ok.

The reason your light is coming on can only be one of the following:

1) Low fluid level or faulty float switch.
2) Dodgy handbrake switch.
3) Worn front pads or disconnected wear probe wiring which on touching earth triggers light
4) wear probe wiring has worn against something exposing core and earthing causing light to come on.

Happy Hunting

Beastie