Handbrake Light

[WelshSeatDriver]

Hi Guys

Got another problem with my MK4 1.2.

On top of the Air con breaking a seal, and my electric window breaking, now the handbrake light is staying when I pull off.

Now from my limited knowledge, I know it could be a number of things, worn brake pads, low brake fluid, faulty sensor.

My question is this a common fault or is it just ware and tear, and does anybody by any chance have the part code, because apparently there are two types of pads for this car, one costing 25 and another costing 45 for the front.

Any advice would be much appreciated

 

[Deleted member 13581]

It could be that the rear pad is either seized on or sticky and might not need replacing at all perhaps just freed off. Have you had it stripped down to have a look at it?

 

[WelshSeatDriver]

I havn't checked the back pads as yet, is it much bother, i don't perticulary want to take the drum off but if its quite easy i'll have a go, it dosn't appear to be stuck on, the car roles when the handbrake is down.

Also is the sensor easy to get to under the cover? just so i can check it.

 

[Deleted member 13581]

If you jack it up and pull the handbrake on both back wheels should not move.

Once you release the handbrake both should. Just a quick check should show if anything is wrong.

Remember to wedge something at the front wheels to stop the car rolling when you jack the rear up.

 

[WelshSeatDriver]

Cheers Mate, i'll give it a try when i get home from work, have you had many problems with your seat, mine just seem to all have come at the same time.

 

[Deleted member 13581]

Ive not had 1 problem, and touch wood, i wont have.

Luckily one of my mates is a VW technician so if anything goes wrong i get him to have a look at it. But so far all he has done it fit my Coilovers.

 

[Nath.]

more likely to be a sticky handbrake on switch as the rear brakes have no wear strips

I think it's just under the handbrake leaver/gator

or the brake fluid is low



does the light not go off at all or does it come on when you turn/brake ??

 

[justlivyalife]

My best guess would be the brake fluid level!

 

[WelshSeatDriver]

Hi Guys

Thanks for all your replies, I got home checked the brake pads, fluid level, jacked up the back to spin the wheels, these were all fine.

So I decided to have a look under the handbrake, and what do you know, the button and come of its clip, to say I was annoyed would be an understatement.

Now I’ve just got to get the window fixed and the Air con re-gassed and it will be good as new.

Don't know how i would cope with out this site, cheers again.

 

[Nath.]

we aim to please

 

[R1dd1ck]

May i ask? I thought the hand brake works in a different way to the pedal, i.e u wudnt need brake fluid for it, as its on a cable.

 

[Ric 2001]

Handbrake light comes on if your brake fluid is low for some reason, normally flashes and beeps three times.

Don't know why the sensor is attached to the handbrake light.

 

[Guinness]

Iv heard that before, its just a seat thing lol. you get used to em

 

[Nath.]

yes the handbrake works on a cable to the rear wheels and a light is needed to remind you it is on, the low brake fluid light is there anyway so seat have used one light for two things to save money

easy

 

[R1dd1ck]

typical..........next thing they will have wired your indicators to your reverse light.

 

[Nath.]

well they have wired your indicators to your parking lights I spose

 

[Guinness]

yep dont think thats a bad idea though

 

[Nath.]

very usefull when parking in a side street

 

[Heavertron]

Sorry to resurect an old thread (Hey, at least I used the search function! ;-). But I have a similar problem that my hand brake indicator light never comes on in my Mk3 Ibiza. I have tried to remove the interior trim to check the switch under the gator/lever, but it is not coming off, and I don't want to snap it.

After removing the two screws at the end of the trim at the back, can anyone tell me how to remove the trim at the end near the gear stick to give me access to check the switch?

Thanks in advance