1989 sierra sapphire

handbrake is off
brake fluid topped up

light flickers all the time

sensor in the brake fluid cap?
or handbrake sensor?

 

or you need new brakepads ???

 

no changed all pads when i got the car, 2 months ago

 

Disconnect the wiring plug on top of the reservoir, see if it still does it.

 

never even thought of that, i'll do that now in reply in 2 mins

 

took her for a quick run an the light stayed off

 

Looks like it's the sender then, handbrake light does not illuminate on brake pads, only MK1 models had this feature, so far as I am aware, and they had a dedicated light.

Martin

 

Martin is that the sendor in the brake fluid cap? or could it be a faulty plug on the wiring end?
the wiring has been taped up a little bit near to the plug, should i strip that back an make sure no wires have been cut or joined badly? or try get another cap with a sensor?

 

Yes they have two connectors, ones three pin and the other is two pin and held on with a clip.

Possibly, there is no harm is trying, it may have been you unplugging it that has separated the wires otherwise the fact it does not come on when it's unplugged indicates the sender (Assuming of course you do have the correct level of brake fluid!)

Reservoir is same as certain other models, so a visit to the local scrappy could pay dividends, if you have trouble let me know!

Martin

 

yea my brake fluid is at the line

the connector is a 3 pin plug
i'll try nippin the tape an make sure all the wiring is intact an not joined by some fool who think twisting wires makes a perfect connection

an sierra's over here are hard to come by never mind in a local scrap yard sadly

to be honest only way id get 1 is by posting on the likes of here or a sierra forum which i've done with no reply

 

I automatically assumed you were talking Cosworth, in that case do you have the small rectangular reservoir (Non ABS)?

In which case I still should be able to get hold of one for you?

Martin

 

ah yes i should have mentioned it was a 1.6 classic
yes its the very small reservoir

 

Yes I know the one, it has a push button on the top to test the light? If so MK2 Fiestas have the same, and so you could also use one of these, which again are hard to come by. Probably other Fords do as well.

I can keep an eye out for you if you like? Unfortunatly I have access to plenty of others but they have the big reservoir (I can check next time I see them)

Martin

 

im kinda lost wen you say push button at the top?

 

On the cap you will see like a circle on the center, if you press this with ignition on and handbrake off it's supposted to illuminate the handbrake light, to test the operation of the level sensor, you will of course need an assistant to see if it lights.

Martin

 

hmmm i never noticed that but i no must go check