Handbrake light flashing and beeping

[tedda222]

Hi,

I have a 2002 octy and the other day, on my way to work the handbrake light flashed about six times and beeped 3 times. It done it yesterday and this morning in exactly the same place: at the bottom of a steep hill. It doesn't do it at any other times.

Brakes feel fine, brake fluid hasn't changed. Could it be that the computer needs resetting? How is this done?

Thanks for your time.

[David 8]

My guess is the switch is on the blink. Not sure where it is though, but I would think it's near the handbrake under the cover.

HTH

[David 8]

Its part number eight

1J0 947 561 C

This number may have changed but your dealer will give you the updated part if need be

[mikey vrs]

it could be a faulty brake fluid level switch,this is in the brake fluid resevoir cap. is your fluid up to the max level? if it happening in same place on a steep hill it sounds like your fluid level needs topping up a bit.

[KenONeill]

I'd check the brake fluid level first. I'd a hire car that was low on brake fluid, and the fluid/hb warning light went off every time I braked hard (and when I took it to the hire place they put 250ml in it).

If it's not the fluid level I'd suspect a faulty or mis-adjusted hb warning switch.

[tedda222]

Thanks for all the suggestions, happened a little more on my way home from work, mainly after sharp right turns, same as on the hill on the way to work. After very close inspection of the brake fluid level, i could top it up a bit, it might be slightly under the min line. Can i put any type of brake fluid in the car, or does it have to be a certain type?

Thanks again.

[mikey vrs]

you can top it up with normal brake fluid(dot 5.1)i would however investigate why your level is below minimum...it could be worn out brake pads or a hydraulic leak on the brake system or hydraulic clutch system it needs checking not just topping up & waiting for the light to come on again!

[mbames]

My car suffered a similar issue and it turned out to be a leak on the end of the hydraulic pipe connected to the clutch slave cylinder - cure was to replace the actual pipe (even though I replaced the slave cylinder first). The leak appeared after the gf drove the car and sat with her foot on the clutch at junctions/traffic lights and things . She returned the car and said "oh the hand brake light came on when going up a steep hill."

As soon as I had the car up in the air, it was obvious to see the leak on the undertray on the nearside.

[tedda222]

Will dot 5.1 definitely be ok? I don't know what was put in before.

The way that the light is only flashing randomly suggests to me that it might just be a little low. The skoda manual says this could happen with wear and tear.

If the problem persists I will get it seen to.

Thanks again

[KenONeill]

Dot5.1 is a mineral brake fluid, which is either what's in there already, or exceeds the dot 4.0 or 4+ spec. I'd have no reservations about using it for topups. As for the level being "only a little" low, yes, but that can be like being "only a little pregnant"

The most likely cause of a low level is brake and/or clutch (since they use the same reservoir) wear; the time to worry is if you top up, and the warning happens again in a month or 2.

[tedda222]

Thanks again, very helpful as usual.

Will be back if any more problems

[doll]

It sounds like its the reservoir if its below 'Min'....I wouldn't put too much in though as if there are no leaks, the fluid movement is the natural movement of brake pad wear. If you overfill the system, you will push it back out of the reservoir when you push the caliper pistons back in during the brake pad change.

[mbames]

It sounds like its the reservoir if its below 'Min'....I wouldn't put too much in though as if there are no leaks, the fluid movement is the natural movement of brake pad wear. If you overfill the system, you will push it back out of the reservoir when you push the caliper pistons back in during the brake pad change.

If it ends up being overfull due a pad change, etc, then I just tend to use a syringe to suck a bit out (taking care not to dribble on the paintwork).

[doll]

If it ends up being overfull due a pad change, etc, then I just tend to use a syringe to suck a bit out (taking care not to dribble on the paintwork).

It'll be a bit late for that if you push the piston's back and its all over the place! Which I would guarantee to happen if he fills it back to max and his pads are near the minimum.

[cjb]

It'll be a bit late for that if you push the piston's back and its all over the place! Which I would guarantee to happen if he fills it back to max and his pads are near the minimum.

Which is why you check *before* pushing the piston, or undo the bleed nipple

[VrsMule]

I had this tonight going round a Roundabout sharpish then up a steep hill - thought wtf was that ! Will have a butchers at the brake fluid level in the morning. Was immediately after a flat battery like.