Car help, it is about to pack up forever?! - NB

[StellaGirl]

I have a Peugeot 306 2.0. For the last 3 days whenever I have driven it - and especially over bumpy roads - the Stop/HandBrake light flickers on. Sometimes it stays on for longer.
Before I shell out money for a garage to fix it - can I drive it safely for a bit longer until I can afford the garage bill???!!!!!
Anyone know what is wrong with the bloody thing...?

<hr width=100% size=1>Its 11.59am - lets open the beers...

 

[powerskipper]

all i can say is, I don't think it like bumps /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

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Julie

 

[sailorman]

it could just be that the brake-pads req replacement, the have an electricial wire connection that makes contact with the brake disc when pads get low.
it cant be that expensive pads r about £ 18 > £25 discount shop poss. £30 > £35 + labour @ garage

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[StellaGirl]

I had new pads and discs about a year ago and have done about 6000 miles since....what difference does that make?

<hr width=100% size=1>Its 11.59am - lets open the beers...

 

[sailorman]

front pads should be good for 20> 25K mls.
wot about hand brake adjustment ?.

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[Rob_Webb]

Hang on, is it really the same light that comes on if you apply the handbrake? Try gently applying the handbrake whilst driving slowly to check this? If so, it could just be the micro switch that sits under the handbrake that is gently flicking on/off as the handbrake moves slightly over bumps? Find yourself some bumpy ground and when the light starts flickering again try pushing the handbrake down firmly - if the light stops flickering that is probably the problem i.e. the switch - in which case not dangerous. But if it continues flickering then it's probly somthing else and you should at least get a garage to check it out and give you an estimate - this checkout exercise should be free by a reputable outfit.

Hope that helps.

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[Sybarite]

Check your brake fluid level. (Little reservoir normally at the back of the engine compartment.)

It may also be a question of a brake sensor giving up the ghost.

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[StellaGirl]

Its def that light. Its not just going over bumps, it does happen on long stretches of seemingly smooth-ish road. As long as it gets me to the Hamble on Sunday morning to race thats my main concern right now! Thanks for the advice!

<hr width=100% size=1>Its 11.59am - lets open the beers...

 

[sailorman]

might be as well to take kedge anchor along with rode lashed to rear bumper lashed with a piece of " light-stuff"

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[VicS]

Does the warning light also indicate low brake fluid?

Someone has already mentioned brake pad wear but it could be that the wiring was not connected properly to the new pads and has now come adrift and is shorting against something or is the pad wear a different light.


<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple>Ne te confundant illegitimi.</font color=purple>

 

[tome]

Try gentle messing with the handbrake when the light comes on, If light stays on, try Johns (Sybarite) suggestion of fluid level. The reservoir will be on top of a big pressed-steel round cake-tin thingy, deary.

Wouldn't stop me going to the Hamble from what you've said so far.

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[Rob_Webb]

From what you've said (esp. the new-ish brake pads) it doesn't sound dangerous right now, more about a small electrical fault - but I do suggest you get it checked out next week after you're back from the Hamble - I'd hate for something to happen after we've all told you "it's OK"!

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[jimboaw]

I reckon Rob_Webb got it right. One other thing you should just check though. After you have driven for a while with the warning light on or flickering just feel your rear wheels to see if they seem hot. If they do then it's a garage job. If not just put a bit of tape over the offending light and forget it!

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[StellaGirl]

OOh - I could sue you all and buy a decent new car with the proceeds!....joking....will drive carefully and below 98mph as per usual....

<hr width=100% size=1>Its 11.59am - lets open the beers...

 

[Colin_S]

My vote goes for the fluid level too. You say you had new pads / discs a while back so it could be that the level's dropped as they've bedded in. Got to be worth a check, it'll only take a second.

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[davidbuttriss]

Start with the easy bit,
rummage beneath the handbrake lever. You should find a small press switch. Has this worked loose? Next time you are bumpy roading it and light flashes try pushing down the switch and see what happens. Whole lot easier if that cures the ills than anything else. Also try pulling back the lush, velour carpet and check the switch connections are pushed fully home.
K.I.S.S.

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[StellaGirl]

I only wish the carpet was lush velour. Sadly 2 years of salt, sand, wet boots...and a leaky roof mean that it is far from that!


<hr width=100% size=1>Its 11.59am - lets open the beers...

 

[ShipsWoofy]

My old escort did the same thing, turned out it was the level indicator switch in the brake fluid reservoir.

To check this it is quite simple. On top of your brake fluid filler cap are two wires, these are from the sensor to the lamp. If your fluid is correct, there will be a mark on the reservoir to show min and max levels then just disconnect one of these wires. Drive the car and see if the light stays out.

Some points worth mentioning here.

The sensor may work opposite (unlikely but possible) and the light may come on permanently when you disconnect a wire, in this case short out the two wires with a pin or something. The level indicator is just a simple float switch.

If what I have said cured your problem then you will need to visit a scrappy and pick up a new fluid lid.

If it does not cure it then your fault lies in the handbrake sensor, this is not designed to indicate a fault but more to tell the driver the handbrake is on, which obviously it is not. The handbrake switch on my old Citroen was only accessible from under the car and was prone to get full of crap. A clean might help.

Unlikely to be brake pad sensors as these are only on front pads on Citroen's and Peugeot's. The light would come on permanently when you touch the foot brake, as you have not mentioned this I would rule out a brake sensor.

My bet is low fluid or the level switch, but only because the exact same symptoms have happened to me. Also if you have only just had the brakes changed it is possible the cowboy who did it bled some fluid off and did not top up the reservoir, check the level.

**IMPORTANT POINT** Brake fluid is graded for different systems, on top of your reservoir it will say something like DOT3 this is the grading. You can safely use DOT3 or higher in your system but not DOT2 or lower. Best buying a bottle of DOT5. If you find you have to top up keep an eye on the level, if it falls again then you have a leak, probably from a disturbed bleed valve on the brake cylinder behind the wheels or from a disturbed cylinder from when the brakes were changed. If this is the case take the car back and demand they sort it out.

If you feel happy to do it though, a seep from the bleed screw can be remedied by just tightening it up slightly do not over tighten, they snap and then your problems start.

Hope this gives some help.

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[Birdseye]

Re: Car help, it is about to pack up forever?! - N

We can all think of things that it might be, but there are times to save money and times when saving is foolhardy. This is one of the latter - you dont know what the problem is but you do know that a brake warning light is showing. Take it to the garage straight away and get it checked. Your life is more important that a few quid. And so is the life of others on the road.

It will probably be nothing much, but since your post implies that you are not sufficiently mechanically competent yourself to make that judgement, you need someone who is.

<hr width=100% size=1>this post is a personal opinion, and you should not base your actions on it.

 

[Evadne]

Re: Car help, it is about to pack up forever?! - N

This light is the brake fluid level indicator on the Peugeot. Either the level is low or the connector loose. If the electrics are anything like on the 309, expect all sorts of niggly things like this from now on, but don't worry about them.

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