News1 min ago
Handbrake Light
My hand brake light is staying illuminated even though my hand brake is not on. My brakes have also started to feel a little spongy. Some one has told me i need my brakes bleeding and brake fluid topped up. Does anyone one if this is likely to be a correct diagnosis?
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The handbrake light often shares the same light for the brake fluid (on some cars). Have you an owners manual to confirm? What car is it? Brake fluid is usually an amber/yellow warning light whereas the handbrake is usually red.
Have you checked your brake fluid level? It's usually at the back of the engine next to the bulkhead. It'll be a small reservoir with a screw on lid and a couple of wires attached to the lid. If the level is low then it will illuminate the low-brake fluid warning inside the car.
If the fluid is really dark brown then it should be replaced (it's usually a clear colour). If the brakes are spongy then yes they will need bleeding. It would be worth checking your brakes at the same time as well.
On my Escort and Mondeo its the same red light for both functions. I would guess that whoever changed the pads/discs, removed some of the brake fluid from the reservoir (which you have to do when fitting new pads) and forgot to top it up again after fitting them. If the reservoir is well below the minimum mark, take it back to whoever fitted them (assuming its a garage or similar) and ask them to check their work.
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