Handbrake light always ON!!

[monkeyplex]

Just had a 2 inch body lift done on my vit, and about a week later the handbrake light started flicking on and off when i went around corners, now it is constantly on, no matter what. The hand brake itself is virtually useless also.

Has anyone else experienced this problem after a body lift? I seem to think it's somthing about a stretched cable or somthing?

Cheers

[ScrawnC]

I would be lifting the bonnet to check the brake fluid level first. If that is ok then go looking for other problems. My suspicion would be fluid leak somewhere though, maybe rear wheel cylinder?

[Gwagensteve]

ScrawnC - I think you're jumping to the least likely option first. The Handbrake switch on the floor of sierras is notoriously unreliable and they often mess up and stay on when the handbrake is off.

What happens if you push down on the handbrake? Does it go off?

Steve.

[monkeyplex]

ScrawnC - Aren't hand-brakes cable operated??

I've tried pushing down, and wiggling the lever etc. no effect, the light stays on.

[ZookNC]

Don't think the body lift has anything to do with it.

Pull the handbrake on and push down with your finger on the handbrake light switch which is on the left side of the handbrake. If the light goes out, then your problem is that the bit of metal located on the handbrake that pushes down on the switch when the brake is off needs to be bent downwards. Happened to me a few times, no drama, takes 10 seconds to fix.

hope this helps.

[ZookNC]

My second suggestion would be brake fluid level is low.

[Guy]

remove the bulb

sounds to me like the brake fluid may be low.

[want33s]

I don't know much about Vitara's but if it's anything like the Sierra setup it earths out at the switch when you apply the handbrake.
It could be a sticky switch or maybe the wire is pinched/broken and is earthing out.

Jas.

[ScrawnC]

ScrawnC - I think you're jumping to the least likely option first. The Handbrake switch on the floor of sierras is notoriously unreliable and they often mess up and stay on when the handbrake is off.

What happens if you push down on the handbrake? Does it go off?

Steve.

I was merely suggesting that for the 30secs it takes to eyeball the fluid level MAY save hours chasing your tail looking for another problem.

The handbrake light on the dash doubles as a low fluid level warning light too. If the light was coming on going around corners then maybe it is a fluid problem, I'm just guessing though.

And it was a Vit in question too Steve

[Gwagensteve]

I'm still going to say the handbrake cables are carrying more tension due to the BL and that's causing the light to stay on.

Get underneath and loosen the clamps on the cables.

Steve.

[ScrawnC]

I'm still going to say the handbrake cables are carrying more tension due to the BL and that's causing the light to stay on.

Get underneath and loosen the clamps on the cables.

Steve.

That was my second thought. Although the light took a while to come on...?




ps.... just read your sig line too Steve.... bwahahahaha

[Phunkshun]

the handbrake light started flicking on and off when i went around corners, now it is constantly on, no matter what. The hand brake itself is virtually useless also.

i have had those exact things happen without body lift and it was brake fluid level dropping, turns out my rear brake cylinders were leaking.

[suzimad]

my first thing would be a visual check of brake fluid personally , im with scrawnc . if the brake fluid level is ok then dig deeper.

[Guy]

ScrawnC - I think you're jumping to the least likely option first.
Steve.

Yes popping the bonnet and eyeballing the fluid level is a very time consuming and dirty job .. Start stuffing about with nice clean handbrake cables under the vehicle first.

[monkeyplex]

ScrawnC - I think you're jumping to the least likely option first. The Handbrake switch on the floor of sierras is notoriously unreliable and they often mess up and stay on when the handbrake is off.

What happens if you push down on the handbrake? Does it go off?

Steve.

I was merely suggesting that for the 30secs it takes to eyeball the fluid level MAY save hours chasing your tail looking for another problem.

The handbrake light on the dash doubles as a low fluid level warning light too. If the light was coming on going around corners then maybe it is a fluid problem, I'm just guessing though.

And it was a Vit in question too Steve

Ah ok so it doubles as a low break fluid light, that makes sense, and yes it did take a while for the light to come on, and it did flicker around corners. Haven't had a chance to look at the level yet, I'll let you know. I had the brake lines extended with the body lift, now I'm thinking perhaps the fluid wasn't topped up correct level?

Still, my handbrake isn't working, so I should probably get under there and have a look.

Thanks for the help guys

[ScrawnC]

Still, my handbrake isn't working, so I should probably get under there and have a look.

A common source of fluid leak is the rear wheel cylinders, the part that activates the rear brakes. The fluid leaks out all over the brake shoes which renders them useless. You will need to pull the drums off to get a good look in there.
This is all just guessing though so don't take my words as gospel. My handbrake is also useless but that is caused by too much mud in there
Start with checking fluid level, if it is down then check for leaks. If there are no signs of leaks anywhere then it just may have not been topped up. I would keep checking regularly just in case though.

[ZookNC]

If your handbrake doesn't work, maybe you have a leak in one of the wheel cylinders and it's leaking oil over the drum, or one of the rear wheel bearing is dead and you're getting diff oil inside the drum. Visually check the drums and the inside of the rear rims for signs of an oil leak.

[GRPABT1]

If it is anything like the sierras than the leaky rear wheel cylinders will soon cause the inner axle seals to fail and you'll need to doo the whole lot.

[monkeyplex]

Brake fluid level is a bit low. I haven't had a good look around the drums but after a quick inspection I couldn't see any leaks. I do alot of mud driving, so that could very well be contributing.

Thanks for the help too