Handbrake indicator coming on and off?

pog it

Got brake discs and pads replaced today for a good price - 120 euro all in, labour and parts, and the guy who did the work has a great reputation for good value and good work.
However when I drove off I noticed that the handbrake signal is still coming on and off on the dash. Stupidly I didn't mention this to the mechanic- I just said that I needed the brakes looked at as there was a noise coming off them and they needed to be replaced.

Is this on and off thing likely to be a sign that it's the brake fluid that needs to be topped up?

I don't want to go near this myself as I've heard it's dangerous to mess with. Is it safe to check the levels of fluid and how would I do this?

Just want to get some idea about this as I won't be able to get it back to garage now until Monday. appreciate any help!

Cee-Jay-Cee

Yes. Top up the brake fluid.

Spook_ie

One of three things I think

1 Low Fluid Level activating sensor on harsh acceleration/braking or turning corners as fluid sloshes around in resevoir, check and top up

2 Hand Brake switch out of adjustment or Handbrake gaitor interfering with hand brake

3 Pad warning cables chaffed through and completing circuit

Item 1 is the worst of the 3 as you may well suffer brake failiure if the fluid drops too far and allows air to enter the system

delly

I stand to be corrected, but a hand brake has no bearing on the regular brakes and the fluid it uses. I had this with my own car whereby it was going the other way, the light would not come on after the first click. The sensor that controls this light is located at the back of the physical handle that you pull up. By adjusting this, it solved the problem.

Mycroft H

delly wrote: »

I stand to be corrected, but a hand brake has no bearing on the regular brakes and the fluid it uses. I had this with my own car whereby it was going the other way, the light would not come on after the first click. The sensor that controls this light is located at the back of the physical handle that you pull up. By adjusting this, it solved the problem.

Your right but on some cars it uses the same warning light; hence why it could be a problem with either.

jca

pog it wrote: »

Got brake discs and pads replaced today for a good price - 120 euro all in, labour and parts, and the guy who did the work has a great reputation for good value and good work.
However when I drove off I noticed that the handbrake signal is still coming on and off on the dash. Stupidly I didn't mention this to the mechanic- I just said that I needed the brakes looked at as there was a noise coming off them and they needed to be replaced.

Is this on and off thing likely to be a sign that it's the brake fluid that needs to be topped up?

I don't want to go near this myself as I've heard it's dangerous to mess with. Is it safe to check the levels of fluid and how would I do this?

Just want to get some idea about this as I won't be able to get it back to garage now until Monday. appreciate any help!

What make model year of car is it? That would help.

dgt

Its either low on fluid or has a faulty switch

pog it

It might be the sensor so. I forgot to mention that if I lean on the handbrake when the indicator signal comes on while I'm driving, the signal then goes away just briefly, but won't stay off as soon as I stop pressing down.

How can I check brake fluid? I'd like to check this myself if possible if I can. I'll check handbook.

Car is honda jazz.

Thanks everyone.

Spook_ie

pog it wrote: »

It might be the sensor so. I forgot to mention that if I lean on the handbrake when the indicator signal comes on while I'm driving, the signal then goes away just briefly, but won't stay off as soon as I stop pressing down.

How can I check brake fluid? I'd like to check this myself if possible if I can. I'll check handbook.

Car is honda jazz.

Thanks everyone.

Adjustment on the handbrake switch then I'd guess

slimjimmc

Unless the mechanic bled the brakes the OP's issue is highly unlikely to be due to low brake fluid because new pads would result in the fluid in the brake pistons being pushed back up into the reservoir. If fluid was low before the service then the light would most likely have been lit while the old worn down pads were in place. However, check the fluid level just in case.

OP you can check fluid level easily enough. Park the car on level ground, locate the brake fluid reservoir (check manual) in the engine bay, it'll be a whitish/clear plastic tub usually near the windscreen and you'll be able to see the fluid through it. Don't confuse it with power steering reservoir if it has one. On the side there are 2 lines moulded in the plastic, they should say MAX and MIN. So long as you can see fluid between those lines you are ok, but if it's very close to MIN then a top-up would be advisable. Ideally the fluid level should be near MAX but not above.

pog it

I checked the brake fluid there and it's definitely not low. It was hard to find the max/min levels as they are stuck on the side but I located it and it looks like the fluid level is actually over the max level. I opened it carefully and there is plenty of fluid in it, it's not up to the rim but it's not far below it.

Should I be able to see the fluid up near the top? (I've only got exp checking the oil like most people and that seems to be sunk in deep into its reservoir)

The cap is sealed back on again of course.

slimjimmc

The fluid level should be at or below the MAX line but a little above is probably ok. It should not be up to the rim.

The problem does not appear to be your service brake (aka the foot brake) fluid level. As others have said it could be a simple readjustment of the handbrake, a faulty electrical connection, or a faulty fluid level sensor, all minor fixes. However, no one here can diagnose the problem with absolute certainty without checking the car so rather than keep guessing just go back to the garage and let them sort it. Get him to check the fluid level is not overfull too.