Handbrake light

[ianaudia4]

Can anyone add anything to this?

My handbrake warning light does not work, never did when I bought the car 7 weeks ago.
I have changed the bulb, changed the bulb holder thing in the dash and cleaned up the plunger switch
which is under the handbrake handle. I also checked continuity between the plunger switch and dash bulb holder.

Still nothing! I know it's not a major thing but I am a bit of a perfectionist and like everything to work.

Thanks for reading and any help you give.

[the edmundator]

You say you've cleaned the plunger switch, but have you tried a different one? I believe they do fail every now and then.

[ianaudia4]

I will if I can get one

[Risocco]

Ian, cant offer you any advise but if you do get this sorted, let me know as mine doesn't work either. With you on the whole "wanting everything to work" bit too. Cheers dude

Alex

[Slumdogscala]

One of the beauties of wiring on 80's cars is that it's quite simple. To make the warning bulb light up you need a live feed and an earth.
To pinpoint the problem you need a test-lamp. You can buy one quite cheaply from your local accessory shop or make one using a bulb holder and bulb, some wires and a crocodile clip.
With the ignition on, one of the wires to the warning lamp should be live. The other wire should then go to the switch at the handbrake, where it gets an earth when the handbrake is applied.
If there is no ignition live to the bulb, you can trace the wiring back but it would be easier to run a new wire to the bulb holder.
If there is no earth, check for continuity to the switch, if that's ok test the switch itself and its earthing point.
If you know for sure that you have a live feed to the bulb, the bulb works, the switch works and has a good earth it must be the bulb holder.
The problem could be something as simple as a bit of rust where the screw secures the switch to the car (its earthing point).

[ianaudia4]

Cheers mate.
I have a new switch and bulb holder on order.
I will update when I have fitted them

[MrD]

Have something weird on mine too,when i first start the car it chugs for a while,and the amp gauge reads below 12 volts,as soon as i touch the throttle,the handbrake light comes on and the gauge goes upto nearly 14 volts,also a noticable difference in the noise from my 2 fuel pumps behind me ?
Must be some warm up type thing kicking in or turning off

[ianaudia4]

I had a look today, still can't get the little bas**** to work, so frustating.
My Storm doesn't have an amp guage. I am thinking it doesn't have a live feed, but def continuity in the wires.

I will look again when my blood pressure is below 300!!!

[ott11ma]

Hello ianaudia4

did you manage to solve his problem? What was it in the end?

Thanks

Tim

[ianaudia4]

No still not working!

[walkinginperu]

I've got two handbrake lights in the for sale section if that would help? Happy to do you a discount

[Junglist]

Does the light come on if you power it from elsewhere? i.e. bypass the handbrake. Just trying to suss if the light itself works. I presume you've fitted the new switch so that's not the problem and like you say, there are no breaks in the wires, so I can only think the light's gone. You can use a 9 volt battery and connect it to the terminals on the back of the light to test it if you want to be sure there's power getting to it for the test. Does that make sense?

By the way, amp gauges don't display voltage, they show amperage (current draw). He means a volt meter.

[Nate]

Have something weird on mine too,when i first start the car it chugs for a while,and the amp gauge reads below 12 volts,as soon as i touch the throttle,the handbrake light comes on and the gauge goes upto nearly 14 volts,also a noticable difference in the noise from my 2 fuel pumps behind me ?
Must be some warm up type thing kicking in or turning off

the alternator isn't spinning quite fast enough to start charging. you blip the throttle, start the alternator and everything is then getting the right voltage