Warning lights not working

[kerry3113]

Hi all,
I seem to have warning lights that work when they want. My handbrake warning light works sometimes and other warning lights like no seat belt have never worked. I don't think all of the lights on my display work when they should. Is this a major problem? My car is booked in for it's MOT a week on Saturday...will it fail for this and how can I get it put right if it needs to be? I have only had the car 8 months and it's a 54 plate.

Many thanks,

 

[newbuyer17]

I dont think it will be an MOT fail, as long as you keep quiet about it. The seatbelt one may have been disabled as it can be a pain for some people. Do they all come on when you start the car up - they should all come on and then go off. At least that would rule out bulbs.

 

[kerry3113]

No, they don't all come on when I switch the engine on. I will double check when I pop out at lunch but i'm sure that is the case. The handbrake one is strange. I have even tried putting the handbrake on at different degrees to see if it needs to be pulled on hard to make the light work. Oh the joys of being a motorist hey!

 

[newbuyer17]

Thats a bit wierd then. Perhaps a fuse has gone.

 

[kerry3113]

Well, I have just been out and when I turn the ignition on, most of the lights come on including the handbrake one. However, that's the only time it came on during my trip out and 3 lots of parking up. Is there anything I can check?

 

[newbuyer17]

Well the bulbs etc will be OK then. Its probably a duff switch on the handbrake if it works sometimes, and nothing much to worry about. Thats my non-technical response - I'm sure there are others that are more mechanically aware.