04 focus, handbrake light on dash

Caranica

A new car is in my future but not just yet. Tonight I noticed the handbrake light stayed on the dashboard while the brake was definitely off. Google and the AA website tell me it's probably brake fluid level.

I know nothing about mechanics, so I don't know how a big a job this is, how expensive it's likely to be or how long it would take. My problem is I need to do a 300km round trip at the weekend and I'm not sure I can get to a garage. I'd rather hire a car than risk driving my own if I can't get to a garage and it's very serious. Any advice?

Ubbquittious

See how much brake fluid is left in it?

If brake fluid looks OK check for a little switch near the handbrake itself, you'll need to remove some plastic cover to find this switch. You can probably test that circuit easy enough with a multimeter and by pressing the switch. Another possibility is the sensor in the brake fluid reservoir

Caranica

Sorry, you're talking double Dutch to me. I really don't have a clue about cars beyond getting them serviced, checking oil levels and tyre pressure and very basic such things. Not sure if it's relevant but car used to be used almost daily but lately only about once a week, which is why I'm trying to delay replacing the car just yet.

bazz26

You should be able to identify the symbol from here:

http://www.mainlandford.com/blog/the-complete-guide-to-ford-dashboard-warning-lights/

Tigger

<Keep it helpful please, biko>

Caranica

bazz26 wrote: »

You should be able to identify the symbol from here:

http://www.mainlandford.com/blog/the-complete-guide-to-ford-dashboard-warning-lights/

I know what the symbol means. I asked a few questions about brake fluid in my post but nobody seems to be able to answer them

Ubbquittious

Caranica wrote: »

Sorry, you're talking double Dutch to me. I really don't have a clue about cars beyond getting them serviced, checking oil levels and tyre pressure and very basic such things. Not sure if it's relevant but car used to be used almost daily but lately only about once a week, which is why I'm trying to delay replacing the car just yet.

Forget the switch and the sensor for now. Just check if there's enough brake fluid in the reservoir and if there isn't buy a bottle of DOT 4 at the local petrol station & fill up to the max marker on the reservoir and see if that makes the problem go away.

Another one to try is to turn on the engine and push the brake pedal good and hard. If it makes its way to the floor there's a good chance you have a leak

Caranica

Ubbquittious wrote: »

Forget the switch and the sensor for now. Just check if there's enough brake fluid in the reservoir and if there isn't buy a bottle of DOT 4 at the local petrol station & fill up to the max marker on the reservoir and see if that makes the problem go away.

Another one to try is to turn on the engine and push the brake pedal good and hard. If it makes its way to the floor there's a good chance you have a leak

Thank you. Will check in daylight

FishOnABike

Caranica wrote: »

Thank you. Will check in daylight

Location of brake fluid resevoir -
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=w8M8VBN3AYw
check the fluid level is between max and min marks on the resevoir (preferably at or near the max).

If it is low it might also be worth checking for any oily leaks at any of the brake cylinders or on each wheel or check for any oily marks under the car in the morning that might indicate a leak.

A leaking brake cylinder or brake line could result in a complete loss of braking ability. I wouldn't chance using a car until it had been checked out.

Caranica

This morning I was about to check the brake fluid but decided to switch the engine on and lo and behold the light was off. Will check it out anyway, better to be safe than sorry. Thanks everyone

R.O.R

Were you parked on any sort of slope when the light came on? Might be just low enough on fluid that it triggers the warning when titled a bit, but it's fine on the flat.

If that is the case then it will be does need checking out.

Caranica

R.O.R wrote: »

Were you parked on any sort of slope when the light came on? Might be just low enough on fluid that it triggers the warning when titled a bit, but it's fine on the flat.

If that is the case then it will be does need checking out.

Yeah, I was in a sloping parking space for a week. Figured it was that, like a petrol light when the tank is low, that caused the light to come on.

Noccy_Mondy

Just another possible cause, there's a little sensor under the handbrake itself (just pull up the gaiter), if it's faulty or not engaging with the handbrake it'll cause the handbrake light to show up.

Mightn't address your issue, but it might help someone else.

Caranica

Thanks for all the suggestions, didn't find out in the end, the light went off and hadn't come back on by the time I changed my car!