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Old 24-11-2008, 10:20 PM   #1
betahlia
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Red face Hand Brake Light

Hi everyone, new to the sight and new to fords. I purchased a used ford focus LR 2002 manual and two days after purchase driving around the hand brake light on the dash comes on and off randomly. Is this a simple fix or am I going to have serious drama???? Also anything else i should be keeping an eye out for???
Thanks In Advance

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Old 24-11-2008, 10:44 PM   #2
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Could be the handbrake earth wire shorting out on something? That's the only thing I can think of. Does it flick on/off? Or does it come on and stay on, then go off all of a sudden?
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Old 24-11-2008, 10:46 PM   #3
betahlia
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Default Hand Brake

It flickers on and off??? Anything i can do myself or have to take to a mechanic?
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Old 25-11-2008, 01:30 AM   #4
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I'd check the hand brake ground cable and make sure it isn't shorting out on anything. Not sure where it's grounded to in the LR. If you can, take the cover off the handbrake and see if you can follow where the ground cable (most likely a black wire) runs to the chassis. Check the wire to make sure it isn't worn anywhere along the line, or that the connection onto the chassis isn't loose at all.
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Old 25-11-2008, 02:25 AM   #5
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Sean's car (my old car) does this from time to time for no aparrent reason. I believe Eddie is also having something similar...

Hmmmm
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Old 25-11-2008, 11:08 AM   #6
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doesnt the hangbrake light also act as a brake failure warning light as well?
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Old 25-11-2008, 02:07 PM   #7
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Zetec's spot on. I'm still encountering this weird problem but there's absolutely no problem with the performance of the brakes. I've got ABS BTW. The latest "solution" to finding the problem is that an Auto Electrician is going to come to the Dealer and they say the seats need to come out for them to access things so Gerry will need to stay overnight and I'll be suggesting that they check the handbrake ground cable.

I'll keep you posted as to when I've got it fixed.
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Awards: AFD '07 EFOC Best Focus, SFS '09 EFOC Best Focus, SFS '10 RSOC O/all Best Focus, AFD '10 CFC O/all Best Focus.
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Old 25-11-2008, 06:03 PM   #8
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Could also be a dead handbrake switch.
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Old 25-11-2008, 06:27 PM   #9
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If your brake fluid is low, your hand brake light might flash or stay on.

Might want to check this
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Old 25-11-2008, 07:24 PM   #10
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mine does it occasionally, but only when going around corners, quite fast with a few bumps... scared the crap outa me when i first saw it(well a glimpse really)... thought the back end was going to come around....
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Old 25-11-2008, 09:02 PM   #11
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Sean's car is identical, only around corners.

Right, I'm talking to the engineers tomorrow. Let me get back to you all.
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Old 25-11-2008, 09:13 PM   #12
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I posted on FFOC http://www.ffoc.co.uk/modules.php?na...topic&t=203787

Searching now for more info...
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Old 08-12-2008, 03:18 PM   #13
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Same problem as discussed in previous posts. Brake/ABS Lights flickers on and off and it's been confirmed today it's an Instrument Cluster Failure. Common problem I'm afraid.
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Exterior Enhancements: ST170 Wheels, Richbrook Shorty Aerial, Euro-Spec Hatch Handle.

Performance Enhancements: Ate Callipers/EBC Rotors/EBC Greens Stuff Pads, ST170 Suspension, Herrod's Custom Tune, Ford Racing Coated Exhaust Manifold & Bespoke 2.25in Exhaust.

Awards: AFD '07 EFOC Best Focus, SFS '09 EFOC Best Focus, SFS '10 RSOC O/all Best Focus, AFD '10 CFC O/all Best Focus.
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Old 08-12-2008, 04:53 PM   #14
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Does it cause cruise control to shut off?
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Old 09-12-2008, 04:27 PM   #15
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Quote: "Does it cause cruise control to shut off?"

No, that's working as per normal. I've been quoted $1,080 for a new Instrument Cluster btw.
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Interior Enhancements: Footwell Lighting, Brushed Alum. H/brake Handle, 6 Disc In-Dash System.

Exterior Enhancements: ST170 Wheels, Richbrook Shorty Aerial, Euro-Spec Hatch Handle.

Performance Enhancements: Ate Callipers/EBC Rotors/EBC Greens Stuff Pads, ST170 Suspension, Herrod's Custom Tune, Ford Racing Coated Exhaust Manifold & Bespoke 2.25in Exhaust.

Awards: AFD '07 EFOC Best Focus, SFS '09 EFOC Best Focus, SFS '10 RSOC O/all Best Focus, AFD '10 CFC O/all Best Focus.
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Old 09-12-2008, 05:02 PM   #16
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They state exactly the failure in the cluster? I'd imagine it would be a 5c component like a capacitor.
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Old 09-12-2008, 07:38 PM   #17
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dont bother getting a new cluster not worth the money and its only the light. the car actually doesnt register that the HB is up so it doesnt effect TC or CC. trust me i tried
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Old 10-12-2008, 12:52 AM   #18
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If you need to, just Ebay or crash parts. No need to spend $1,000 on a bloody cluster
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Old 10-12-2008, 02:35 PM   #19
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Quote: "No need to spend $1K on a bloody cluster." You're dead right there. Besides I've now actually been left another "present" which I suspect is courtesy of someone in a Ford Service Dept.
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Interior Enhancements: Footwell Lighting, Brushed Alum. H/brake Handle, 6 Disc In-Dash System.

Exterior Enhancements: ST170 Wheels, Richbrook Shorty Aerial, Euro-Spec Hatch Handle.

Performance Enhancements: Ate Callipers/EBC Rotors/EBC Greens Stuff Pads, ST170 Suspension, Herrod's Custom Tune, Ford Racing Coated Exhaust Manifold & Bespoke 2.25in Exhaust.

Awards: AFD '07 EFOC Best Focus, SFS '09 EFOC Best Focus, SFS '10 RSOC O/all Best Focus, AFD '10 CFC O/all Best Focus.
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Old 08-04-2009, 11:22 AM   #20
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Hi guys, sorry to drag up an old thread - my wife has a 2000 laser with what appears to be the same problem - we will be driving along, then the brake warning light comes on - then stays on for maybe 2 or 3 minutes, then goes off for the rest of the time driving.

Very intermittent, not flashing or flickering - when it comes on it stays on for a little while - not whilst braking or anything. It did it to me the other day drivin down the freeway - no stop or start etc...

Would the fault be the same as a focus - in the instrument cluster, or has anyone had this prob with a laser? Brake fluid levels are all good, brakes feel great.

Cheers

Randel
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Old 08-04-2009, 02:53 PM   #21
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Randel, Sorry I can't personally answer your question re: your Laser. May I suggest you post your Question over in the Laser Section of the Forums and that may help you further. Does sound similar to what I'm experiencing though.
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Interior Enhancements: Footwell Lighting, Brushed Alum. H/brake Handle, 6 Disc In-Dash System.

Exterior Enhancements: ST170 Wheels, Richbrook Shorty Aerial, Euro-Spec Hatch Handle.

Performance Enhancements: Ate Callipers/EBC Rotors/EBC Greens Stuff Pads, ST170 Suspension, Herrod's Custom Tune, Ford Racing Coated Exhaust Manifold & Bespoke 2.25in Exhaust.

Awards: AFD '07 EFOC Best Focus, SFS '09 EFOC Best Focus, SFS '10 RSOC O/all Best Focus, AFD '10 CFC O/all Best Focus.
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