Handbrake indicator issue

Jacovs

Hi. Took my car in for its regular service and asked them to have a look at an issue. The handbrake light/indicator on the dash doesnt always come on when the handbrake is on. Doesnt seem to be any pattern. Just sometimes it comes on, sometimes it doesnt. Sometimes it comes on very faintly or flickers a bit. They checked the onboard computer for any faults but found none. Said I need to book it in another day so they can check if its electrical or the sensor.

2 questions I forgot to ask before I left.
Is this usually covered under warantee? I feel like if it was something they could charge me for then they wouldve been more eager to fix. They also mentioned its on record now so they know about it.

Other question, is it a NCT fail? I checked the NCT list and find the sections about the parking brake but nothing about the light itself. Just double checking I didnt miss it. Its a manual handbrake, not electronic.

Thanks for any help/advice.

Four Phucs Ache

What car, is it a manual brake or a button/switch.


I spilled coke years ago onto the handbrake surround and it soaked through the material and plastic surround onto the simple switch underneath .Contacts got sticky and the light flickered.

Jacovs

171 nissan note. Manual handbrake. Im 99% sure nothing was spilled on it.

TherapyBoy

Came across the same problem once (albeit in an older car) where when the handbrake was lifted it was supposed to earth a simple circuit which turned on the light on the dash. The connection for the earth, which was right down at the back of the handbrake lever, had become loose over time & was flickering on & off if it worked at all. I tightened it up & it was good as new, customer drove away happy!
If you’re at all handy it’d be worth stripping off the coverings/panels around the handbrake lever & having a look for any stray loose wires. Might be an easy fix.

Jacovs

Thanks, I might have a quick look at what I can see. Will know quick enough if its out of my reach to do myself.

tcawley29

Four Phucs Ache wrote: »

What car, is it a manual brake or a button/switch.


I spilled coke years ago onto the handbrake surround and it soaked through the material and plastic surround onto the simple switch underneath .Contacts got sticky and the light flickered.

Must have been awful shtuff