VS Handbrake Warning Light and Sound

[Piggers5]

Hey everyone,

New to the forums, I have owned my VS Commodore Acclaim for about 6 months now and am VERY happy with it

However one issue has recently occured which I can't seem to fix. When driving along, the handbrake light remains on and it warns me with an audible noise when I hit 20km.

It used to only happen very occasionally, now I can't put the handbrake down and take off without it "warning" me. I have searched through these great forums and found some possible answers, but none of them seem to resolve the problem in my case.

I have checked the brake fluid, which was suggested in one thread. Now unless I'm looking at the wrong container in the engine bay, it appears almost full.

In terms of driving, nothing seems to have changed since I bought it. It still handels very well and takes off and stops as normal.

I am really at a loss as to what is causing the issue. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[hako]

Welcome to the forum.
Probable cause is the handbrake warning switch is either misadjusted or the wire has come off. Another possible is a coin has dropped down there the handbrake is located and stops it fully returning. This switch is located down the bottom of the handbrake lever.

Good luck.

[Piggers5]

Hey,

Thanks for your help Hako! Do you have any suggestions as to the best way to access the switch?

Thanks!

[hako]

Check in the "How to" section of this forum on istalling a head unit or stereo - it gives instructions in pulling up the cover that goes around the handbrake - in brief you remove the ashtray and pull up the cover but try and find the 'how to' (I'm short on time...sorry)
Disconnect your main battery first so you don't short anything ....make sure you have radio code first!

[maldotcom2]

Just so you know, the brake fluid is for your foot brake only. The handbrake is simply a lever that pulls on a cable connected to "shoes" at the rear wheels. Good luck with it.

[Matt02SS]

hey, does anyone know how to remove and install aa new handbrake lever?

[S2_VR_]

unplug your speed alert....lol...there goes the noise...

[pillzor]

you think you have problems, my handbreak wont engage and beeps at me when i pull it up at 80kmph

[Vee-ard]

why would you pull it up at 80kph? dont like living or something?

[rocco555]

as mentioned, warning switch is bent or worn

when the handbrake is down, it sits on the switch and deactivates the warning light... get in there and sort it out

[pillzor]

nah i jest, i did try it at about 30 once just to see if it would lockup but it did as described ... must have some sort of anti-moron device enabled.

[tt460]

nah i jest, i did try it at about 30 once just to see if it would lockup but it did as described ... must have some sort of anti-moron device enabled.

no anti moran device as its operated by a cable

[S2_VR_]

the beeping comes from the speed alert. they are suppossed to beep when they are on.

[Vee-ard]

the beeping comes from the speed alert. they are suppossed to beep when they are on.

dude, its not the speed alert thats beeping. Have you heard the handbrake warning beep?

Try to drive off with your handbrake on and see what happens.

[seraphic06]

the beeping comes from the speed alert. they are suppossed to beep when they are on.

The audible alarm for the handbrake comes from the dash cluster no matter whether it is L2 or L3 cluster. The speed alert has nothing to do with handbrake as far as I know.

[pillzor]

no anti moran device as its operated by a cable

its got something , in drive if i try and go anywhere it holds the car firmly in place.... should do something besided just beep at me at 30ks an hour.

[DannyboyDS]

personally I find the easiest way to actually get at the switch is to remove the actual center console completly.

remove the ashtray, pull the cover off from around the shifter,undo the three screws securing the center console to the center of the dash, empty the center console compartment, lift the carpet inside, undo the two 10mm? nuts.

Oh I nearly forgot, remove the white surround from the shifter and well everything else, its a few screws and a couple of looms to unplug, then jiggle the console out of the way.

I had this problem on my car, the working space wzas tight but I managed to get sme pointy nose pliers in there.

[S2_VR_]

The audible alarm for the handbrake comes from the dash cluster no matter whether it is L2 or L3 cluster. The speed alert has nothing to do with handbrake as far as I know.

no disrespect intended... but im pretty sure it comes from the speed alert.

i have mine unplugged now and the "audible" noise doesnt come on...(and fuel light doesnt either) but when i plug it in the sound comes on when pulling the handbrake on after 20km/h
and the fuel light comes on when starting the car........go try it....

i thought it was weird too but...yeah....

Unplugged = No Noise and No Fuel Light
Plugged in = Audible Noise and fuel light.


98% sure it is coming from the speed alert unless without the speed alert it disable's the sound...

[sydsider66]

Just disconnect the little yellow wire that powers the handbrake light/alarm for a quick fix.Its next to the shift under the console.Mine had a 20 cent coin jammed into the base of the handbrake lever and it wasnt coming down fully to engage the switch.Thanks Hako once again.Had to take the console out to access it.Tommorrow im gonna take the handbrake lever off to get the bloody coin out.Impossible to get the coin out without removing it.Hope that helps.