I've fitted the front Cossie brake conversion to my S1 today and the orange brakewear light flashes for a bit then goes off. The thing is, it's not the only light on, I get the one with the dipstick thing in the puddle (is this the oil level warning one?), the coolant level one (even though the level is fine), and the petrol one (even though its half full).

Why do they flash? Why do they only do it now and again? Why didn't I buy a newer car?

Edit: - there are no wear indicators wires on the new pads.

 

I expect the ecu is knackered mate!

They flash to indicate faults on the circuits, and personally i would say its VERY unlikely there are faults on 4 out of 5!

The cossie one will always be a problem as your pads don't have wear sensors, you can use some resistors to make it go out as normal if you so wish though.

check all the sensors plugged obviously though?

 

Ive never had any trouble with mine, as safechav said, if they flash then go out, they indicate there's a fault. I have heard of faulty ECU's that control the lights, but if it where me, id be checking the wiring and the sensors to make sure there okay.

As for the brake one, as said the cossie pads aint got no wear sensors.

 

The lights have always had a mind of their own, they can go for months without coming on, then be on for a week or so, then nothing. I'm on my 3rd ECU now as well.

With the resistors, do you know what rating I'd need?

 

You could have a wiring fault then, but thats a gay fault if it takes out 3 of the lights

I know the ECU's are poo but i don't see 3 being faulty lol.

Have you still got your old pads?

 

Yes, still have the old pads..... can I use the wiring somehow?

 

Just plug the old wear sensors back in and cable tie them up out of the way somewhere.

 

I'll eat my old boots if the ECU is faulty - when they go bang the lights go out altogether.

Have you actually got the dipstick plugged in at the top?

Is the petrol tank connector still plugged in under the back seat?

There could be a bad joint on an earth cable in the loom somewhere - the earth points are shared between more that one light.

You can simulate a wear indicator by plugging a resistor into the socket at each front wheel instead. I forget what value is required but I can find out.

To be honest it wouldn't be a Mk3 Escort if you didn't have a few of those lights flashing

 

I take it you just kind of peel them off the back of the old pads?

 

Will try all the eaths and see if that helps the situation. I suppose pulling all the bulbs out would sort it....

 

Eat your old boots then mate, ive seen plenty of faulty ones! The one on my orion at the moment sometimes decides to tell me the oil level is low...........when it shouldnt even be monitoring the dipstick level when your driving as obviously the oil is circulating around the engine, and if it was the wiring plug the light would flash as it would be open circuit.

they are archaic pieces of poo inside.

 

What makes you think it's the ECU? It will most likely be old wiring. They can reset if you get a poor power feed which can lead to all of the lights coming on whilst you're going along. Still doesn't mean it's the ECU.

As for them being archaic DUR they were designed nigh on 30 years ago - what do you expect 50nano metre circuitry?

Perhaps you should consider buying a newer car mate if a Mk3 Escort is too archaic for you

 

Have topped the water up, wasn't that low but has now turned off the water light.

Re-checked the oil level and it wasn't even on the dipstick.

As for the brake level light, it flashes for half a minute then goes off.

All other lights are now off.
As for having a newer car, I was having one of those moments many Rs owners have...... now got past that.

 

Glad to hear you got it fixed mate - as I said the ECU's are normally fine. You can put the brake lights out by substituting a restistor where the pads would go - just keep the wires off the old pads so you can solder the resistor on. I'll look the resistor values up when I get a moment.

As I said - it's very rare that the ECUs are at fault if the lights are still working.

Re you getting a new car - I didn't mean you I was talking to safechav who seemed to think it's unreasonable that 25 year old cars come with archaic electronics

 

Mate i KNOW its the ECU, if it reset they would ALL flash the same as when the ignition is turned on.

As i say, the dipstick oil level shouldn't work after about 5 secs as the engine is running and obvious the level will read as low.

Sometimes my fuel light decides to come on aswell well i know i have a good £10 in there, and your guna say driving round corners.....but the ecu monitors the sensors and the light wont illuminate/distinguish until the sensor has been continuously in a changed state for 7 seconds of more, to avoid random flickering lights when going round corners etc.

It does it so rarely that i can't be arsed to change it.......but it proves what they can be like.

And all the wiring is MINT.