Handbrake Warning Light - HELP

[robmx5]

Need a bit of help here lads and lassies.

On the way into work this morning the handbrake warning light would not got off. It had been flickering on/off the last couple of days but now its on constantly - any ideas ?

Does the warning light show if brake fluid is low or if pads need replacing ?
Have noticed the Dot 3 fluid (brake fluid I think) is a little low in the resevoir but not at the minimum level.

Thanks

Robin (MkII 1.

[TOM 5252]

I just went out to the car to check this in the hand-book and just as I thought, this light only signals hand brake position and Brake Fluid level.
Worn pads are signaled by a noise generating tab rubbing on the disc

PS. After nine years of driving a MX 5 I still don't know my way around the hand-book:- having rarely had to open it since reading it from cover to cover when I bought the car.

[MX5Steve]

Exact same problem for me! a couple of months ago.

The handbrake light was on and I went searching for the switch as I thought it was broke.
a couple of days later I lost the brakes coming home from work, opened the bonnet and the brake fluid was EMPTY!

Later discovered I had burst a seal on the drivers side rear.

Got this replaced with the help of s-spec dave......That is I had to recondition the caliper.......

Once this was done the handbrake light had mysteriously vanished


Someone else may be able to shed a bit of light on this but obviously they are connnected......

Low brake fluid level (handbrake warning light permanently on)

Check for brake fluid SPRAYED around the inside of a wheel arch, or maybe ye just need to top up your brake fluid......

[robmx5]

Thanks lads - will top up with fluid in the morning and monitor for possible loss somewhere in the system

Robin

[robmx5]

Filled the brake fluid resevoir to max - light gone out - will monitor over the next few days

Robin

[Stig]

One thought - is the little switch GAMMY?
Happened in my 4x4 - check it out anyways.

[robmx5]

NCT failed.

Took the wee motor for its NCT this morning and guess what - it failed because of the brake fluid leak !! #Have been topping up with fluid every couple of months but could'nt see a leak anywhere.

The friendly engineer took me into the test area to show me the fluid on the underside of the drivers side brake caliper - but could'nt see where the actual leak was.

So is this likely to be the caliper or something else - is it easy to recondition the caliper if thats the problem, is replacing the caliper a DIY job and best left to a mevhanic ?

Any help appreciated - thanks

Robin

[MeathMazdaMan]

Dont go blaming the caliper until you have checked the insides or your brake hoses and possibly reseated the copper sealing washers at the caliper itself, common enough for it to loosen at caliper end if the car had any impact damage in the wheel area, there should be loads fluid corrosion at the point, p

[robmx5]

NCT engineer was happy that it was'nt the brake hoses - can't actually see where the leak is - as lots of dirt/grime in the relevant area

Robin

[Steve]

very easy to replace the caliper yourself Rob, just undo the slider bolt (bottom one), then hinge the caliper upwards and push it backwards.. it'll slide right off. Then unbolt from the brake line. Do the reverse with the new one and bleed the line. Done.
More info :
http://www.miata.net/garage/garagehandling.html

Reasonably priced calipers available here :
http://www.boundville.co.uk/mx-5-mk2-193-c.asp

[Midlifecrisis]

Robin

as per Steve, its a v easy job - especially if you have a Haines Manual or similar to guide you. Take it from an absolute novice who recently replaced pads and a seized calliper. A self-bleed kit (from Halfords) is also useful if you're working solo.

[robmx5]

Cheers lads - mx5parts are charging £140+ for a caliper compared to autolinks £82 - bit of a difference !!

Robin

[MeathMazdaMan]

Not a bad price however i have one in stock for you, just drop me a line and its in Ireland, P

[sspecdave]

Rob.

You could always just rebuild your own caliper as more than likely its just the seal that is leaking and its quite easy to do .
Mx5 parts supply a seal kit which is also a lot cheaper than replacing caliper.

http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info.php/products_id/304.

Dave.

[mx5ash]

plus one for the rebuild kit. i did all mine recently (not that they were leaking i just did it for kicks!!)easy enough job especially if you are only doing the one.