Brake fluid light on!
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Brake fluid light on!
Today, I have mixed messages, and need advice! My 1996 4litre Sovereign passed its annual MOT test but with some advisories! The strangest is that the inspector did NOT find a low brake fluid level, NOR any fluid leaks but the low brake fluid warning light is on! This suggests to me that I have electrical gremlins somewhere. Do any of you knowledgeable people any pointers?
Last edited by littlelic69; 01-26-2016 at 11:21 AM.
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No it's not the same as the parking brake, there is a separate light.
The switch for the light is in the side of the brake fluid reservoir, with a two pin plug attached. It's a very simple on/off switch (NC - Normally closed). Pull the plug and do some tests
1. Test continuity across the switch - you should have continuity in normal condition.
2. You can further test by shorting the pins in the loom connector - does the light go off? If so the wiring from the plug to instrument panel is good.
I should also add that it takes the warning light/message a few seconds to set/reset when the testing so be aware of that.
The switch for the light is in the side of the brake fluid reservoir, with a two pin plug attached. It's a very simple on/off switch (NC - Normally closed). Pull the plug and do some tests
1. Test continuity across the switch - you should have continuity in normal condition.
2. You can further test by shorting the pins in the loom connector - does the light go off? If so the wiring from the plug to instrument panel is good.
I should also add that it takes the warning light/message a few seconds to set/reset when the testing so be aware of that.
Last edited by b1mcp; 01-26-2016 at 12:50 PM. Reason: More info
The following 2 users liked this post by b1mcp:
al_roethlisberger (01-26-2016),
littlelic69 (01-28-2016)
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I'm not sure this will add much, but the MoT examiner is primarily concerned with the operation of the brakes, the absence of warning lights and the absence of visible leaks at the time of the test. There isn't much between a light off amount of fluid and a light on amount, and I would not be inclined to take any risks by making any assumptions about what an MoT examiner may or may not have done. Absent a definite fault in the level sensor, you need to approach this as a leak.
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Many thanks for the responses. The car had passed its MOT test. There were no fluid leaks and the reservoir was full to the max mark. But the brake warning light and the message box indicated "Fluid" - which the handbook says is low fluid. So I suspected an electrical gremlin. At Brendan's suggestion I went looking for the switch hidden away under the plastics trim. The connector was not fully seated!! So, I pushed it fully home, the light extinguished and all is now OK. MANY THANKS.
The following users liked this post:
sparkenzap (01-28-2016)
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