Handbrake light comes on when changing gears

Submitted: Friday, Mar 02, 2007 at 17:33
ThreadID: 42857 Views:8932 Replies:10 FollowUps:5
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Hi,
When changing gears or acellerating out of a corner in my 75 series landcruiser ute, the handbrake light comes on for about 3 seconds- What the heck is going on? Its only started doing it a week ago.
Thanks for any help.
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Reply By: F4Phantom - Friday, Mar 02, 2007 at 17:45

Friday, Mar 02, 2007 at 17:45
I found some professional training in the following courses helped significantly when I had this problem.

"hand brake and gear stick - whats the difference?"
"brake pads - why 4 are better than 2 when stopping"
"its unneccessary to slow down while gear changing"
AnswerID: 224947

Reply By: Bilbo - Friday, Mar 02, 2007 at 17:54

Friday, Mar 02, 2007 at 17:54
Brian,

I sounds like your handbrake warning light switch is VERY close to being in the "ON" position and the occasional jerk of a gearchnge is causing it to illuminate.

You should find the switch underneath the plastic "leather look" cover that encases the handbrake lever. Just back the switch off by adjusting the locknut and give the switch some extra "free play".

My Ford Mav used to do it with the handbrake light, which was fixed as above. My current Chevissan had the same prob with the cruise control - "on-off-on-off-on". I just backed the switch off on the clutch pedal and problem solved.

Bilbo
AnswerID: 224951

Reply By: Notso - Friday, Mar 02, 2007 at 19:23

Friday, Mar 02, 2007 at 19:23
Yeah well it is a toyota, and they do have some funny little idiosyncrasies.

Lights turning of when you turn left with your indicators on springs to mind along with everything turning off at random??

Was a fleet manager and got lots of funny ones but not that specific issue but most likely an earthing problem or similar.

AnswerID: 224965

Reply By: Middle Jeff - Friday, Mar 02, 2007 at 19:29

Friday, Mar 02, 2007 at 19:29
Hi Brian

Check your fluid level, one light does all including vacuum.

Have fun

Craig
AnswerID: 224966

Follow Up By: Brian B (Mackay Qld) - Friday, Mar 02, 2007 at 19:52

Friday, Mar 02, 2007 at 19:52
just checked brake fluid, it was on the top of the line of 'min'. top up to max but havent tried testing it yet. only had it serviced 5 weeks ago, and by a mechanic with a good name in mackay and known by all trade reps including my uncle.
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FollowupID: 485953

Reply By: The Rambler( W.A.) - Friday, Mar 02, 2007 at 23:16

Friday, Mar 02, 2007 at 23:16
Brian ,
Ithink you will find that Craig is right as Ihad a similar problem and found that if the brake fluid level is low the handbrake light will flash as the fluid moves in the reservoir.Top up and all is well.
AnswerID: 224981

Follow Up By: Member - Ian H (NSW) - Saturday, Mar 03, 2007 at 18:48

Saturday, Mar 03, 2007 at 18:48
Likewise in our 80, the light comes on with gear changes if the level is low. Also is a good reminder of the front pad thickness.
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FollowupID: 486055

Reply By: wrexed03 - Saturday, Mar 03, 2007 at 00:22

Saturday, Mar 03, 2007 at 00:22
This issue had me boggled with a Hyundai that my dad drives. I thought the handbrake switch has to be. Nah it wasnt the switch. It was the bloody coins he dropped in between the handbrake lever and the console. Every time he would accelerate or brake the light would come on. The coins were sliding between the contacts on the switch lol. Just had to dismantle console remove coins re assemble all good... :)
AnswerID: 224996

Reply By: Willem - Saturday, Mar 03, 2007 at 07:24

Saturday, Mar 03, 2007 at 07:24
My Handbrake lights up when I drive too quickly over rough terrain....lol

Cheers
AnswerID: 225015

Reply By: Member - Andrew (QLD) - Saturday, Mar 03, 2007 at 08:14

Saturday, Mar 03, 2007 at 08:14
Hi Brian,

Call into work and tell them one of your family members is sick......red spots appearing for no apparent reason.....have a day off to fix it :-)

Andrew
AnswerID: 225020

Follow Up By: Brian B (Mackay Qld) - Saturday, Mar 03, 2007 at 08:27

Saturday, Mar 03, 2007 at 08:27
LOL, yeah, boss didnt give a rats arse that i was having days off!
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FollowupID: 485970

Follow Up By: Member - Andrew (QLD) - Saturday, Mar 03, 2007 at 08:31

Saturday, Mar 03, 2007 at 08:31
Don't you just love our laidback attitudes up here :-) Would never happen in the big smoke....

Andrew
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FollowupID: 485971

Follow Up By: Brian B (Mackay Qld) - Saturday, Mar 03, 2007 at 09:02

Saturday, Mar 03, 2007 at 09:02
One of my other family members didnt sound too well when trying to start it, so i took it to a marine outboard mechanic on my sick day the other day!
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FollowupID: 485974

Reply By: Member - Tour Boy- Saturday, Mar 03, 2007 at 15:49

Saturday, Mar 03, 2007 at 15:49
Hi Brian,
it is probably just the fluid, if it was low check the front pads, as they wear, the fluid drops to keep the pads on the disc.
I have had 2 70's that did that but it was the boot arount the handbrake causing the lever to not quite hit the switch. So if the fluid doesn't fix it , try removing the vinal boot and see if it fixes it.
Regards
Tour Boy
Cheers,
Dave
2010 Isuzu FTS800 Expedition camper
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AnswerID: 225088

Reply By: Graham & Lynne - Saturday, Mar 03, 2007 at 20:01

Saturday, Mar 03, 2007 at 20:01
make sure reservoir is push all way up & fill to full line
AnswerID: 225117

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