Brake fluid/handbrake light

cdnp62000 · Post by **cdnp62000** » Wed Jun 10, 2015 11:50 am

Just got my families 1971 series 2 4.2 roadster running again. The brake master cylinder and booster were replaced and the brakes were bled.
After about an hour if easy driving, the brake fluid/handbrake warning light has come on and wont go off. Reservoirs are full. With handbrake off I can easily push the car. Any ideas what I need to do next?
Thanks for any help.

Gfhug · Post by **Gfhug** » Wed Jun 10, 2015 1:12 pm

It could be something as simple as the microswitch on the handbrake sticking. To gain access you'll need to raise the carpet on the left of the tunnel next to the handbrake lever. Spray a touch of switch cleaner and see if that helps.

That will be an easy start to your investigations. I'll leave others more knowledgeable to advise further

Quattrofrank · Post by **Quattrofrank** » Wed Jun 10, 2015 1:20 pm

I`m not to familiar with E types yet, but usually the easiest way to check the fluid sensors is to shorten the connections. Try that and see if the light go off then, if it does the problem is the fluid sensor.

PeterCrespin · Post by **PeterCrespin** » Wed Jun 10, 2015 4:30 pm

Quattrofrank wrote:I`m not to familiar with E types yet, but usually the easiest way to check the fluid sensors is to shorten the connections. Try that and see if the light go off then, if it does the problem is the fluid sensor.

Other way round. Detach one of the connectors or lift the float pin one bottle at a time. Shorting them will make the light come on if it wasn't already. Since it is, only isolating them will show if it's caused by the floats.

Quite possibly the floats have soaked up fluid and are sinking instead of floating. Careful dismantling and new corks are the fix. If not, and if pushing the handbrake lever fully down doesn't extinguish the light then expose the switch and try manually activating/adjusting it.

Pete

cdnp62000 · Post by **cdnp62000** » Thu Jun 11, 2015 1:10 am

Thanks for the ideas.
Ill give them a try soon.

David Oslo · Post by **David Oslo** » Thu Jun 11, 2015 5:47 am

Had that problem ast year, and found it was one of the corks that was saturated, soon had that sorted with a replacement cork from a freshly opened bottle of red wine.

I would presume white or rose would also work :D

cdnp62000 · Post by **cdnp62000** » Thu Jun 11, 2015 4:13 pm

Disconnected leads to reservoirs this am.
No warning light
Reattached reservoirs leads one at a time, warning light staying off.
For now...?
Hopefully wont occur again, but know what to try if it does.
Thanks everyone.

abowie · Post by **abowie** » Thu Jun 11, 2015 9:28 pm

The level warning switch is just a switch to earth so if you short the 2 leads or the ?red/green one to ground the light will come on. Same with the handbrake; the switch just completes the earth side of the circuit.

As alluded to above failure is often because the cork float is soaked. New ones are on special at SNGB for 18 quid ATM. XK's make a fancy one with a stainless float for a lot more.

David Oslo · Post by **David Oslo** » Fri Jun 12, 2015 12:23 pm

As mentioned, cork from a bottle of wine will suffice.

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Brake fluid/handbrake light

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