Roadworthy - handbrake warning light req'd?

[JerryMungo]

My handbrake warning light stays on, the problem is not the switch, but something behind the dash - too much mission for now... will it fail roadworthy?

 

[Sinbad]

That light often warns of other problems like brake fluid level... You sure all is good?

 

[JerryMungo]

Yep, I'm sure fluid levels are fine but handbrake warning light? Ill have to double check that then, ta! Wonder if ABS subsystem can affect it too?

 

[Arthur]

If it's the hb switch, then no problem. If it's "behind the dash" then possibly more serious wiring problems.

Not requd for roadworthy test, afaik.

 

[Sinbad]

Yep, I'm sure fluid levels are fine but handbrake warning light? Ill have to double check that then, ta! Wonder if ABS subsystem can affect it too?

ABS will have its own warning lights.
What car is it?

 

[The_Ogre]

I can tell you now here in CT they don't care about the warning lights. As long as your vehicle is roadworthy (in other words your vehicle poses no danger to others on the road) then all's good

 

[genetic]

I can tell you now here in CT they don't care about the warning lights. As long as your vehicle is roadworthy (in other words your vehicle poses no danger to others on the road) then all's good

They do indeed!

AVTS failed a friends Toyota Tazz because of a broken indicator lamp on the dash and something loose on the drivers seat. They give him two weeks grace period to repair the fault.

They do quite a thorough inspection.

 

[grim]

Also check that your brake pads aren't worn, some cars indicate this via the handbrake warning light as well.

 

[The_Ogre]

They do indeed!

AVTS failed a friends Toyota Tazz because of a broken indicator lamp on the dash and something loose on the drivers seat. They give him two weeks grace period to repair the fault.

They do quite a thorough inspection.

Fair enough, however I don't see how a dash indicator light can be considered a warning light

Also check that your brake pads aren't worn, some cars indicate this via the handbrake warning light as well.

In which case he'll fail the test anyway

 

[Sinbad]

Fair enough, however I don't see how a dash indicator light can be considered a warning light

In which case he'll fail the test anyway

Not necessarily.
Low brake pads don't mean the brakes don't work. The indicator would come on BEFORE they became a danger

 

[JerryMungo]

Also check that your brake pads aren't worn, some cars indicate this via the handbrake warning light as well.

Good point - it's been serviced fairly recently so I dont think that's an issue, though it could be I guess...

ABS will have its own warning lights.
What car is it?

Yeah, I think it does have seperate abs lights... It's a Renault Sandero

 

[encrypted]

Yep, I'm sure fluid levels are fine but handbrake warning light? Ill have to double check that then, ta! Wonder if ABS subsystem can affect it too?

Damaged or Dirty ABS sensor will do it.

 

[JerryMungo]

That light often warns of other problems like brake fluid level... You sure all is good?

Give that man a Bells! It was a tiny bit on the low side - just below the sensor. I'm off to top up then to roadworthy! Ta dude, you're a legend!

 

[Sinbad]

Give that man a Bells! It was a tiny bit on the low side - just below the sensor. I'm off to top up then to roadworthy! Ta dude, you're a legend!

Glad it was a) nothing serious and b) you've learned something important about your car

 

[grim]

Give that man a Bells! It was a tiny bit on the low side - just below the sensor. I'm off to top up then to roadworthy! Ta dude, you're a legend!

Brake fluid level shouldn't drop below minimum unless there is a leak somewhere.

I've found on all the cars I've owned that the brake fluid is on minimum when the brake pads are worn and then once I replaced them the fluid level was back to full this is because the brake pistons sit farther out in the caliper as the pads wear down which requires more fluid inside the piston chamber. So check your pads as well, it could also just be that when your car went for a service they bled the brakes and forgot to top up the fluid afterwards.

 

[Colin62]

What grim said.

 

[zizo911]

The oil light constantly flashes for a second on a golf 3, then the revs drop a tiny bit, but the oil is filled up and a new oil filter was installed.

 

[JerryMungo]

Glad it was a) nothing serious and b) you've learned something important about your car

Yeah, always learning... just learned that it has one reverse light and one rear fog light (left / right)... that after fiddling and tracing cables and testing continuity to see why the right reverse light wasn't working... LOL.
Oh well... you live and learn. Ready for roadworthy I reckon.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Also check that your brake pads aren't worn, some cars indicate this via the handbrake warning light as well.

Generally the cars fancy enough to have brake pad sensors have onboard computers with messages that tell you these things.

As someone else mentioned its more likely the light comes on when the pads are low due to the fluid level dropping so drastically.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Yeah, always learning... just learned that it has one reverse light and one rear fog light (left / right)... that after fiddling and tracing cables and testing continuity to see why the right reverse light wasn't working... LOL.
Oh well... you live and learn. Ready for roadworthy I reckon.

Read the manual before taking the car apart in future, goes a long way.

Reverse lights are also always white, rear fog lights are always red so it should have been quite obvious.