↓ Advertise on Defender2 ↓

Home > Maintenance & Modifications > Dash. Warning brake light
Post Reply  Down to end
Page 1 of 2 12>
Print this entire topic · 
custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 20453

United Kingdom 
Dash. Warning brake light
Rarely I notice on steep descents especially changing down on low gears I notice the dash brake light coming on intermittently.
It doesn't ever stay on just lights up momentarily then goes off soon enough.

It never does this unless in this situation so I'm ruling out handbrake and thinking maybe the brake fluid float is moving around?

If it wasn't for this I would be thinking handbrake wire but it works perfectly as it should and doesn't cause any issues at all unless on a decent that is steep usually downhill and in lower gears.

Any ideas?

Might be worth checking the handbrake switch and wires though I suppose.
Post #472800 15th Nov 2015 7:39pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
midlife



Member Since: 15 Apr 2015
Location: Cork
Posts: 122

Ireland 2007 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 SW Rimini Red
Mine did this. It was fluid level. I gave it a slight top up and not done it sincr
Post #472801 15th Nov 2015 7:41pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
couplands



Member Since: 31 Aug 2011
Location: Peak District & Cornwall
Posts: 1826

United Kingdom 2001 Defender 90 Td5 HT Oslo Blue
My light has started coming on lately too, it appears to be the handbrake which isn't returning fully to the off position. I also need to check/adjust the switch.

cheers

simon
Post #472803 15th Nov 2015 7:43pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
PK1



Member Since: 19 Oct 2012
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 96

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
Also, the push on blade connector on the handbrake can become loose making the light intermittent.

Quick check is to squeeze the gaiter when the handbrake is off and if the light comes on it is most probably the connector. Wink Defender 110 TDCi XS SW
Range Rover Sport HSE
Post #472813 15th Nov 2015 8:10pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
GSLRO



Member Since: 13 May 2012
Location: Tyne and Wear
Posts: 499

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Chawton White
midlife wrote:
Mine did this. It was fluid level. I gave it a slight top up and not done it sincr


^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
Ditto Thumbs Up Adventure isn't paved!
Post #472834 15th Nov 2015 9:03pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Send e-mail Reply with quote
Mo Murphy



Member Since: 01 Jun 2008
Location: Letchworth Garden City, Herts
Posts: 2244

United Kingdom 1984 Defender 90 BMW M57 3.0 Diesel HT Auto Pennine Grey
Yup, as the other chaps say it's your fluid level. As you go down the incline the fluid moves to the front of the reservoir and as a result the level under the float drops allowing the low level switch to close and bring on the light on your dash.
HTH
Mo The Land Rover 90 - Many are called, few are chosen.

50 Shades of Pennine Grey
Post #472847 15th Nov 2015 9:29pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 20453

United Kingdom 
Excellent, so I'll check.
I'm pretty sure the fluid level is where it should be though but I'll have a look.
May as well check the handbrake too.

Will have a poke around tomorrow hopefully.

Thumbs Up

Thank-you for suggestions too. Thumbs Up
Post #472855 15th Nov 2015 9:36pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
jimbob7



Member Since: 06 Jul 2013
Location: uk
Posts: 2055

As said top up,it's a very fine line between being "empty" and "full". Pov.spec,ftw. 2006, 110,TD5.
Post #472966 16th Nov 2015 8:11am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Dave Bellis



Member Since: 21 May 2014
Location: Shrewsbury
Posts: 133

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Keswick Green
Had exactly the same and as previously posted a slight top top up of the brake fluid cured the problem....

Dave
Post #473157 16th Nov 2015 6:13pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 20453

United Kingdom 
I had a look just at the fluid level today.
You chap are right, it has dropped slightly but still much much more nearer the max level but that us probably enough.

Need to look up the specs to get some more..
Post #473162 16th Nov 2015 6:24pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
jimbob7



Member Since: 06 Jul 2013
Location: uk
Posts: 2055

dot 4,might as well blow fresh fluid thru the lot,must be getting cloudy by now?? Pov.spec,ftw. 2006, 110,TD5.
Post #473185 16th Nov 2015 7:26pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 20453

United Kingdom 
I will get the brake fluid changed completely and bled shortly.
In the mean time I'll top up slightly.

Does anyone know the Specs LR use? Other than DOT4 of course.

Looking on opie's site earlier there is Castrol react, a regular Castrol a slightly cheaper one and a Shell version.
I think it's most likely Castrol used before.
I've been trying to look to find out what was used when I was changed but I can't seem to find the info I need.
Opie's site layout for vehicle specs has changed slightly too, so it's not as easy to work out.
Post #476074 25th Nov 2015 1:19pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
jimbob7



Member Since: 06 Jul 2013
Location: uk
Posts: 2055

I use any branded stuff for quality assurance,Castrol,Mobil and Pagids from Eurocarparts is cheap in bulk.Mobil available from Halfords but not cheap.
Other than that dot 4 is dot 4.Not like engine oil where there is a,b,c,d spec...ffs Confused Demon tweeks on eblag is about cheapest for Castrol. Pov.spec,ftw. 2006, 110,TD5.
Post #476077 25th Nov 2015 1:26pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
K9F



Member Since: 12 Nov 2009
Location: Bournemouth
Posts: 9610

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
For perfectionists, purists or those like myself with mild OCD. Workshop Manual states......

Recommended hydraulic fluid SHELL DONAX YB DOT4 ESL FLUID

Thumbs Up Cool If you go through life with your head in the sand....all people will see is an ar5e!!

Treat every day as if it is your last....one day you will be right!!


Last edited by K9F on 25th Nov 2015 1:58pm. Edited 2 times in total
Post #476079 25th Nov 2015 1:39pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 20453

United Kingdom 
There are specs applicable as they are mentioned on the page.

K9 - Spotted that one, probably go with that then. Thank-you. Thumbs Up
Post #476080 25th Nov 2015 1:45pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Post Reply  Back to top
Page 1 of 2 12>
All times are GMT

Jump to  
Previous Topic | Next Topic >
Posting Rules
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum



Site Copyright © 2006-2024 Futuranet Ltd & Martin Lewis
DEFENDER2.NET RSS Feed - All Forums