I have a ford ka 2002. The handbrake sign keeps flashing when i am going down a steep hill. Why?
Answers:
There are a few possibilities. The handle for the parking brake may not be staying down all the way. If you push the button in on the handle when the light comes on and make sure the handle is fully un-engaged, does the light go out while you are doing this? If so, then you need to make sure the handle is fully un-engaged. Because if it is partway up, instead of all the way down, that will happen.
Another possibility is that the brake fluid in the master cylinder under the hood is low on brake fluid. That brake light will light up if the brake fluid's sensor sees it as being low while you are going down a hill. That is a very strong possibility of what is happening if the brake fluid is low at all. Just do not fill the brake fluid very much above the top line for the normal level if it is already close to the top line.
Another possibilty is that the brake pads or brake shoes may be pretty worn, which does lower the brake fluid level in the master cylinder. If that is the case, you may also need to replace the brakes soon, before it does any damage to the brake rotors or drums.
Your brake pads have gone
check your brake fluid level,it uses the same warning light
Are you sure it is not the fuel gauge or the sign could be your brakes need looking at i would go with the last one
the handbrake light often doubles as brakefluid level warning. now if the level of breakfluid is low, the incline may make the level fall even more arond the sensor, thus triggering the alarm. this is very likely the answer if the light goes out when you get level again.
you may have water sloshing around in your electrics. when you go down hill it moves around in the electrics.
Also check your break fluid level, it is cheap to top up. But check for leaks..very dangerous!
maybe it could even be a bad switch. on an incline maybe even bumps the switch makes contatc and turns your light on
The second answer is right, by tutanub.
get a mechanic to look at it properly.
sounds like low brake fluid. could be a number of reasons why, but do you really want to guess at it if it is your brakes at fault?
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