handbrake light flashing!

[Garry20VT]

Hi
Yesterday I fitted new discs and pads to the rear and test drove it, everything was fine. I didn't touch the handbrake as I've not needed to when I've done the pads before, its the first time I've done the rear discs though.

Today I went out and the handbrake light keeps flashing about every minute and bleeps 3 times. I've slackened the handbrake a bit at the nut under the ashtray but it made no difference.

any ideas what I've done wrong?

Cheers
G

 

[james walker]

quick search would tell you low brake fluid.....

top it up and away it will go

 

[m0rk]

Check your brake fluid level....

And while you're there check that the front brake pads haven't hit their wear limit

 

[mikeholroyd]

Exactly the same happened when I changed front and rear discs and pads on my Leon a couple of weeks ago. And yes, it was low brake fluid. Just be aware that if the fluid level has dropped too far, it may have introduced air into the master cylinder, so pressure bleed the whole system, including the 2 bleed nipples on the master cylinder itself.

Mike

 

[godber225r]

You couldn't of had the fluid changed for years if its low!!! these cars are supposed to have the brake fluid changed every 2 years but you can usualy get away with 3!
Ive never experienced low brake fluid in any of my cars best to get it sorted soon as.

 

[mikeholroyd]

You couldn't of had the fluid changed for years if its low!!! these cars are supposed to have the brake fluid changed every 2 years but you can usualy get away with 3!
Ive never experienced low brake fluid in any of my cars best to get it sorted soon as.

Nothing wrong with the brake fluid level before I started to change the discs and pads.When pressing the brake pedal to reseat the new pads, the level will drop lower than it originally was as it will have lost some fluid from the top of the master cylinder when the pistons on the calipers were pushed back to allow the caliper to go over the new pads and discs. Do this 4 times, and the level will soon drop to a level that brings on the low level warning.

I sorted this out by using a pressure bleeder, and using over 2 litres of fresh brake fluid, so the car has had a full brake fluid change at the same time. I've only had the car a couple of months, so I changed the brake fluid, not knowing how long ago it was since it was last done.

Mike

 

[leontdi130]

It may have nothing to do with what you've done. I got a flashing glow plug light and that was because my brake light switch had gone. Just check the little plastic plunger on your master cylinder cap is working ok. If you left the cap screwed on whilst you changed the pads the fluid being forced up against it when you wound the pistons back in may have buggered it up so it now thinks its got low brake fluid.