Handbrake Warning Lamp Fail

[88GreenVN]

Why would my handbrake warning lamp not work? The other day I drove to the shops with the brake on. I've tested the globe and it works fine.

What else controls the warning lamp to be on when the car is moving and handbrake is on?

Have I spelt the "brake" wrong? - dont look write some how...

[PRAVX II S]

check the wiring near the handbrake
there should be one wire going to the handbrake switch.
this supplies earth.

[D3V14NT]

I know on my car that the wire that runs to the handbrake has a real dodgy connector on it, only held on by two strands of copper wire. It may have become disconnected here or the switch that the wire is connected to is faulty. I believe works that when the hand brake is raised it touchs the switch the wire is connected to and creates and earthed connection, therefore turning on your dash light.

BTW i hope you have skinny hands or narrow pliers as its a bloody tight fit in there!

[88GreenVN]

check the wiring near the handbrake
there should be one wire going to the handbrake switch.
this supplies earth.

Hmm - will have to have a look at this area - I've not touch the console for a while - so was not thinking of the switch.

It's a yellow wire from memory - the reverse wire is lt green. Probably one of those wires (hopes).

[88GreenVN]

I know on my car that the wire that runs to the handbrake has a real dodgy connector on it, only held on by two strands of copper wire. It may have become disconnected here or the switch that the wire is connected to is faulty. I believe works that when the hand brake is raised it touchs the switch the wire is connected to and creates and earthed connection, therefore turning on your dash light.

BTW i hope you have skinny hands or narrow pliers as its a bloody tight fit in there!

It's console out then....

And nope hands are not skinny - sounds like a job for my 13 yo lad.

[D3V14NT]

Hmm - will have to have a look at this area - I've not touch the console for a while - so was not thinking of the switch.

It's a yellow wire from memory - the reverse wire is lt green. Probably one of those wires (hopes).

Yep its a yellow wire, it runs through the console and enters into the handbrake housing via a grommet in the passenger side then plugs in vertically to the little switch. I spent a good 20mins with pliers trying to get the little bastard to hook up last time I had to disconnect it. This is all out of a series 2 VP btw so I'm not sure if it'll be indentical on the VNs but I imagine it wouldn't be too far off if it is different

[88GreenVN]

Yep its a yellow wire, it runs through the console and enters into the handbrake housing via a grommet in the passenger side then plugs in vertically to the little switch. I spent a good 20mins with pliers trying to get the little bastard to hook up last time I had to disconnect it. This is all out of a series 2 VP btw so I'm not sure if it'll be indentical on the VNs but I imagine it wouldn't be too far off if it is different

It's a 91 VN so should be the same - in fact I think it's yellow in the VS I seen at the wreckers the other day (console removed).

[88GreenVN]

Took the console out today and moved the yellow wire. (ign on) and the brake light lite up instantly.

The handbrake chime still went off. Even with my trip computer in it. More Puzzle

[D3V14NT]

The plot thickens. So the handbrake warning light is all sweet when stationary but won't activate when moving?

[88GreenVN]

The plot thickens. So the handbrake warning light is all sweet when stationary but won't activate when moving?

ha - did not test that - betta go out again...

[88GreenVN]

Nope the spare cluster chimes away with the handbrake warning and mine is silent. (chimes when I leave the lights on so the chime works).

Both clusters have the same parts in them and the same PCB.

[88GreenVN]

small test today - my cluster in - handbrake warning chime sounds when you lift the lever just a little. So now to work out why the other cluster chimes away even with the hand brake off.