Brake Reservoir Cap

[lesworth]

Can anyone advise on the purpose of the two wires attached to the brake reservoir cap? I assume the brake warning light goes on if the fluid level drops below a certain point. My handbrake warning light is always on and both wires are connected together, bypassing the spade connectors on the lid.

I've also heard that the handbrake warning light often stays on after a pad change and that disconnecting the battery will 'reset' the warning light. My rear pads have just been changed so perhaps this is the problem.....

Thanks!

 

[Jonathan Collins]

Those are indeed the wires to the low fluid sensor in the reservoir cap and I wonder why it has been bypassed, I would have thought that joining the wires would bring the light on, but I am not sure if the switch in the cap makes or breaks the circuit when the fluid is low.
As far as I know there is no electrical connection to the rear brakes, however if the brakes have been bled (while they were there) this would bring the brake warning light on as the system 'sees' bleeding as a brake failure. I think the light is reset as you describe.
Hope this helps Jon.

 

[Guest]

Hi guys. It's my first time on the forum so please be gentle. I'm trying to locate my brake light switch to establish if it's 2 or 3 pin (I've heard it can have both). Looking in the luggage compartment at the master cylinder I can't seem to locate it. Also at this point I noticed that there is only one connection to the brake fluid reservoir, the pin on the left being broken, looking down on it. Can anyone advise what effect this may have.

I'd also like to add that this forum has been very useful in the past and helped me resolve a few issues that I've had. Many thanks for this.

 

[lesworth]

Regarding the broken connection to the master cylinder cap, I think all that would happen is that it wont activate the warning light if the fluid level drops. I solved this by buying a new cap from my local OPC. Not the most cost effective solution but it was quick and easy []

The cause of the warning light staying on was because the wires were connected together (thus completing the circuit)

Hope this helps,

Les.

 

[Alan_Armstrong]

In reply to jascfc...the switches you refer to trigger the brakes. there are 2 switches as you have 2 brake fluid circuits, as long as both circuits are working then either switch will activate the brake lights. I can confirm that there are 2 types of switch (2 wire and 3 wire)

You need to unplug either switch to check. (access is a bit tricky)

If you go ahead and replace the switches, make sure you protect the paintwork prior to removal, as they work from the hydraulic pressure in the master cylinder, and you can expect some fluid to leak out....double check, but I think you need to bleed the system
after refitting.