Matt_J Posted February 7, 2005 Share Posted February 7, 2005 My handbrake/warning light keeps lighting up on my dashboard. It tends to happen under braking. It goes out after braking. But now it is coming on under acceleration & braking, and is staying on for a few moments when I'm at a standstill. All fluid levels are ok. I'm hoping this a loose connection at the dash. Has anyone had this problem? Does anyone have any other ideas as to what it might be? Any help would be great. Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic Posted February 7, 2005 Share Posted February 7, 2005 Matt this sounds like the effect of low brake fluid. The brake fluid level sensor is very sensitive and will flash the warning light even if the fluid level is only slightly low of the full mark. I would try topping up the fluid so it is slightly over the full mark and see if it cures the problem. It could also mean that your pads are worn and you are getting a lot of pedal travel which is causing the fluid level to drop excessively when you brake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_J Posted February 7, 2005 Author Share Posted February 7, 2005 I'll try that, cheers Nic. I checked my fluid levels yesterday & the brake fluid was on the max level, so I assumed it was ok. Definitly sounds like a braking problem then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supragal Posted February 7, 2005 Share Posted February 7, 2005 It sounds like it could be- doesn't mean it is for sure though obviously. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_J Posted February 7, 2005 Author Share Posted February 7, 2005 I'm going to be changing my brakes from jap to uk spec soon, so hopefully that will cure the problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic Posted February 7, 2005 Share Posted February 7, 2005 Matt when you top up the fluid, I'd also check the condition of the pads. Might also be a good idea to disconnect the battery for a few minutes to reset the ECU and get rid of any stored fault codes. Then take the car out for at least 10 minutes and see if you still get the warning light. If you do then next step would be to see if there are any fault codes stored on the ECU from the diagnostic port, do a search for instructions of how to do this. If there is no fault code then it may be a loose connection behind the dash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_J Posted February 7, 2005 Author Share Posted February 7, 2005 How do I see if there are any fault codes stored on the ECU from the diagnostic port? Where is the diagnostic port? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic Posted February 7, 2005 Share Posted February 7, 2005 The 'Search' button is your friend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic Posted February 7, 2005 Share Posted February 7, 2005 http://www.mkivsupra.net/vbb/article.php?a=28 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_J Posted February 7, 2005 Author Share Posted February 7, 2005 Will check that asap. Cheers Nic. Nice one mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terawua Posted February 7, 2005 Share Posted February 7, 2005 Yeah I have this light.... its the fluid.. just top it up.....or the pads..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic Posted February 7, 2005 Share Posted February 7, 2005 Don't thank me, thank Ian it is his post that explains it so clearly, all I did was use the search button Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terawua Posted February 7, 2005 Share Posted February 7, 2005 actually... does your brake light in the bottom right of the cluster come on too, or just the warning light? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_J Posted February 7, 2005 Author Share Posted February 7, 2005 Just the warning light terawua. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penguin Posted February 7, 2005 Share Posted February 7, 2005 i had the same problem........ turned out to be a screwed up brake caliper ... http://www.brakesinternational.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_J Posted February 7, 2005 Author Share Posted February 7, 2005 Thats what I'm starting to think it might be penguin. Going to get UK brakes as soon as I get a price.... & a set of new alloys, apparently UK brakes wont fit the standard 16's that I have at the moment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_J Posted February 7, 2005 Author Share Posted February 7, 2005 Went up to Bluewater at lunch, as I was going down on to the A2, the light come on. I wasn't braking, just going down hill. Still a brake problem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_J Posted February 8, 2005 Author Share Posted February 8, 2005 I put a paperclip over terminals E1 & TE1 in the diagnostic port last night. When I turn the switch the ignition to position 2 the MIL exclamation light come on, didnt flash at all. The only light that flashed was the engine (?) light (Right hand side of the steering wheel, left light). I'm not too good with these things, so I probably did something wrong. I have noticed however, a small leak on the passenger side front brake. I did notice, when I got my car off the drive, a tiny puddle underneath the passenger side front brake. This could be rain water though. I drove to work & the MIL Exclamation light was on 90% of the way to work. Does anyone know any mechanics who specialise in Jap supras in the NW Kent area? HELP!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supragal Posted February 8, 2005 Share Posted February 8, 2005 Easy mate, it'll be fixable. Hopefully someone will be along shortly to advise on Kent mechanics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_J Posted February 8, 2005 Author Share Posted February 8, 2005 Cheers Supragal. Its starting to get me down a little bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terawua Posted February 8, 2005 Share Posted February 8, 2005 Matt, I'm (Kind of) just up the road from you.. parents live in Barnehurst. I dont know of anyone who specialises in supras, so I took it to a local guy down in Erith. If you really want it done by someone who knows supras, then Paul Whiffin is in Enfield... not too far, or Paul E is in Mortlake (I think) he might know someone. Oh and stay away from Mr T.. they dont know the car at all, well at least STC dont. James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_J Posted February 8, 2005 Author Share Posted February 8, 2005 Cheers terawua, I'm going to contact Paul Whiffin. I'm pretty sure its brake related. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Prawn Posted February 8, 2005 Share Posted February 8, 2005 Matt, I had exactly the same symptoms. Light on sometimes, off sometimes, flickered when braking and when not. It needed some new pads and a top up of fluid, as done by Chris Wilson and the light has not come on since. Even though you think the pads are ok and they work fine it seems the sensor is very delicate and gives ample warning of wear. Hope this helps and you get it sorted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_J Posted February 17, 2005 Author Share Posted February 17, 2005 The problem was the front passenger side brake caliper! Its got a fracture in it & brake fluid was leaking because of this. Now all I got to do is fix it!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic Posted February 17, 2005 Share Posted February 17, 2005 The problem was the front passenger side brake caliper! Its got a fracture in it & brake fluid was leaking because of this. Now all I got to do is fix it!!!!! Glad you found the problem, what brakes do you have fitted, the smaller J-spec or larger 4pot option? If you have the J-spec brakes then I'm sure there'll be someone with a spare caliper on here you can have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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