Warning signal for handbrake is on even though the handbrake lever is completely free and car is moving freely.
I guess it is the handbrake switch that is not releasing and I want to take it of for inspection but where is it installed?
How do I access it easily and what should I look for? Anyone with a picture or drawing?
Br. Bjarke
Handbrake control light
Re: Handbrake control light
There are been two versions of the switch, depending on a S1 or S2/3 Fulvia. The switch is located on the base plate of the handbrake system. The whole handbrake lever system can be easily removed from under the car so you can see what is wrong. Also, when removing the protection with the rubber at the lever you can also look inside from the top inside the car. The earlier systems used a "gliding" copper contact against the lever, later systems used a depression switch pressed down by the lever when fully released.
Mind you, for later Fulvias, the same warning light was also used (if I remember correctly) for the float in the brake master cylinder to give a warning about low brake oil level, so if your car has wires going to that master cylinder, I would check too if the problem is not there.
If you indicate which version of the Fulvia I can maybe give further details.
Mind you, for later Fulvias, the same warning light was also used (if I remember correctly) for the float in the brake master cylinder to give a warning about low brake oil level, so if your car has wires going to that master cylinder, I would check too if the problem is not there.
If you indicate which version of the Fulvia I can maybe give further details.
-
Overknasten
- Posts: 71
- Joined: 18 May 2016, 22:06
Re: Handbrake control light
Hi. Thanks for the fast reply.
I took of the wires to the brake cylinder and now I can turn the warning for handbrake on and off with the handbrake lever = switch is working - so far so good.
I noticed Yesterday that the garage overfilled the brake fluid reservoir. I have lowered it to the max. Level but the warning remains. Maybe the float has stucked or maybe there is still connection between the 2 wires because of fluid still there.
I will let it be over night and see if it has dried a bit out tomorrow. Otherwise I guess I must take of the reservoir, very annoying after having worked so much on this topic and with a brand new MBC from Huib, but I guess that is how it is.
Thanks again for the tip.
I took of the wires to the brake cylinder and now I can turn the warning for handbrake on and off with the handbrake lever = switch is working - so far so good.
I noticed Yesterday that the garage overfilled the brake fluid reservoir. I have lowered it to the max. Level but the warning remains. Maybe the float has stucked or maybe there is still connection between the 2 wires because of fluid still there.
I will let it be over night and see if it has dried a bit out tomorrow. Otherwise I guess I must take of the reservoir, very annoying after having worked so much on this topic and with a brand new MBC from Huib, but I guess that is how it is.
Thanks again for the tip.
Re: Handbrake control light
While I do not have personal experience with the float in the reservoir, i would suggest holding a strong light at one side of the reservoir, and maybe it is possible to see from the other side what the position of the float is, if it is stuck somehow down. I also have heard stories of floats (was not on the Fulvia) leaking and getting full of oil and sinking.
I didn't check, but I think brake oil is not electrically conductive.
I didn't check, but I think brake oil is not electrically conductive.
-
Overknasten
- Posts: 71
- Joined: 18 May 2016, 22:06
Re: Handbrake control light
You’re right of course - oil is not conductive, I was not thinking.
I’ll figure out a way to check if it is stuck in the bottom position.
Thanks
I’ll figure out a way to check if it is stuck in the bottom position.
Thanks
Re: Handbrake control light
Some remarks about the handbrake control light and flasher
The next is applicable to a 2nd series Fulvia Coupe, however I think it is also valid for 1st and 3rd series.
On the Fulvia wiring diagram two flasher units are shown. One is for the turning indicators and the other for the handbrake/brake fluid low level warning light. Although both flashers have (+), (-) and (L) connections, they should be hooked-up differently. The difference is shown (although subtle) on the wiring diagram:
The physical smaller flasher is for the handbrake/brake fluid and should have the red (+) wires connected to the (-) on the flasher and the black (-) wires coming from the handbrake switch and the brake fluid low level switch connected to the (+) on the flasher. This may be counterintuitive**. The (white color for 2nd series) wire for warning lamp should be connected to the (L) connection.
**It can be understood as the handbrake/brake fluid warning light in the dashboard is on one side permanently connected to the (+). To make it light-up the other side must be therefore be switched to (-/ground). By reversing the polarity (as describe above) on the electro mechanical flasher this is accomplished, see also note 3 below.
Turning signal lamps are on one side permanently connected to (-/ground). So to light them up the other side must be switched to +. Hence their turn indicator flasher shall be hooked-up as indicated on the housing.
If you connect the handbrake/brake fluid flasher as a turning light flasher (red to +, black to -) the warning light will either light-up with half intensity with no flashing or very weak flashing.
Notes:
(1) By design an activated handbrake and/or a low brake fluid level should result in a clear flashing warning light on the dashboard.
(2) The capacity of the flasher for the handbrake/brake fluid warning light is low: max 10 Watts. It flashes only a 3W or so dashboard light.
(3) The trick of reversing the polarity hook-up on the flasher for the handbrake/brake fluid warning light flashing can be done with conventional electromechanical flashers. As far as I know there are no electronic flashers (like for LEDs) that can be reversed in polarity to mimic this trick. However you don’t need to exchange your flasher if you want to use a brighter LED warning light.
(4) If you like a brighter handbrake/brake fluid flashing warning light: exchange it with a LED. Make sure you buy the right LEDs. The ones for a 2nd series may differ from a 1st series Fulvia. I bought my 2nd series ones from a well known French Fulvia parts provider. The original electro mechanic flasher can stay!
(5) For the turn indicators it is a different story. There you need to exchange the flasher for one that is (also) suitable for LEDs assuming you also exchange your turn indicator lamps for LED ones.
Fred
The next is applicable to a 2nd series Fulvia Coupe, however I think it is also valid for 1st and 3rd series.
On the Fulvia wiring diagram two flasher units are shown. One is for the turning indicators and the other for the handbrake/brake fluid low level warning light. Although both flashers have (+), (-) and (L) connections, they should be hooked-up differently. The difference is shown (although subtle) on the wiring diagram:
The physical smaller flasher is for the handbrake/brake fluid and should have the red (+) wires connected to the (-) on the flasher and the black (-) wires coming from the handbrake switch and the brake fluid low level switch connected to the (+) on the flasher. This may be counterintuitive**. The (white color for 2nd series) wire for warning lamp should be connected to the (L) connection.
**It can be understood as the handbrake/brake fluid warning light in the dashboard is on one side permanently connected to the (+). To make it light-up the other side must be therefore be switched to (-/ground). By reversing the polarity (as describe above) on the electro mechanical flasher this is accomplished, see also note 3 below.
Turning signal lamps are on one side permanently connected to (-/ground). So to light them up the other side must be switched to +. Hence their turn indicator flasher shall be hooked-up as indicated on the housing.
If you connect the handbrake/brake fluid flasher as a turning light flasher (red to +, black to -) the warning light will either light-up with half intensity with no flashing or very weak flashing.
Notes:
(1) By design an activated handbrake and/or a low brake fluid level should result in a clear flashing warning light on the dashboard.
(2) The capacity of the flasher for the handbrake/brake fluid warning light is low: max 10 Watts. It flashes only a 3W or so dashboard light.
(3) The trick of reversing the polarity hook-up on the flasher for the handbrake/brake fluid warning light flashing can be done with conventional electromechanical flashers. As far as I know there are no electronic flashers (like for LEDs) that can be reversed in polarity to mimic this trick. However you don’t need to exchange your flasher if you want to use a brighter LED warning light.
(4) If you like a brighter handbrake/brake fluid flashing warning light: exchange it with a LED. Make sure you buy the right LEDs. The ones for a 2nd series may differ from a 1st series Fulvia. I bought my 2nd series ones from a well known French Fulvia parts provider. The original electro mechanic flasher can stay!
(5) For the turn indicators it is a different story. There you need to exchange the flasher for one that is (also) suitable for LEDs assuming you also exchange your turn indicator lamps for LED ones.
Fred