Handbrake Light Stays On

[gtrzilla]

Hey

When i take off my handbrake to drive around etc, the handbrake ( ! ) light stays on the whole time.

Does anyone know what this means, or how i can fix this.

Thanks

[omega36]

hi mate... you have to top up your brake fluid!

[gtrzilla]

hi mate... you have to top up your brake fluid!

ok cool,

i will check that out today

thanks.

[gtrzilla]

can anyone reccomend what type of brake fluid to use??

[shepo]

anything with a dot 5 rating is ok, make sure you bleed the system properly when you do it.

[djr81]

anything with a dot 5 rating is ok, make sure you bleed the system properly when you do it.

For the love of God.

DO NOT USE DOT 5 FLUID.

It is not compatible with your brake system and being silicon based and gives you a horrible, spongey pedal. For some reason people assume that because it has a higher number it must be better. It isn't. Infact it is basically a blind alley that is best avoided.

Use whatever dot 4 fluid is available from your local auto parts shop or, if you want to do some track work Motul RBF660 which is also a dot 4 fluid.

look here:

http://www.castrol.com/castrol/multiplepro...ntentId=7000977

[shepo]

well i didnt know that,

you learn something new every day. thanks for the tip

[gtrzilla]

anyone know how to do this on gtr

how do i drain the old fluid??

[gtrzilla]

i checked the brake fluid reservoir

the fluid is quite below the max line, but is still a bit above the min line. do you think it still needs a top up.

also it says to "ONLY USE DOT 3 BRAKE FLUID" on the cap, so i guess i only use that...

[omega36]

yes sir, fill it up to the point where it says so, i think you keep the filtration layer on when topping up.

make sure you DO NOT MESS ANY ON YOUR CAR'S PAINT..if you do, wash off with water, do not towel or force dry it... and dot4 is basically dot3, so use dot4

[(OO)SKYLINE(OO)]

BTW just a thought, have you checked you brake pads?

Usually if your brake pads are down the fluid goes down.

New Pads = fluid goes up. (Might recquire slight top up)

Hand brake light, I always thought there is a sensor of some sort...

[djr81]

i checked the brake fluid reservoir

the fluid is quite below the max line, but is still a bit above the min line. do you think it still needs a top up.

also it says to "ONLY USE DOT 3 BRAKE FLUID" on the cap, so i guess i only use that...

Well try and buy some DOT 3 fluid. But you may find it a bit hard.

Or you could just buy the dot 4 fluid that replaced it.

[djr81]

BTW just a thought, have you checked you brake pads?

Usually if your brake pads are down the fluid goes down.

New Pads = fluid goes up. (Might recquire slight top up)

Hand brake light, I always thought there is a sensor of some sort...

Yes it is a the base of the lever. You need to remove the leather cover (press stud under the lever, start there) and check it is triggered when the handbrake goes off.

The hand brake light also functions as the check brake light on most cars, hence the fluid level references.

[(OO)SKYLINE(OO)]

Yes it is a the base of the lever. You need to remove the leather cover (press stud under the lever, start there) and check it is triggered when the handbrake goes off.

The hand brake light also functions as the check brake light on most cars, hence the fluid level references.

Yeah right,

well I think gtrzilla should be checking the fluid 1st and if its up, check the hand brake sensor as you said before bleeding the brake system.

Just to be safe and save the effort of doing the braking system.