Car help!

[JeffT]

Hope someone can help!

I have a 1993(K plate) Ford Orion Ghia 1.8 16V (105bhp Zetec engine).

For the last few days the "handbrake" light has been randomly coming on whilst driving.
Initially i though it was a didgy sensor on the handbrake, but have now eliminated that.

I also noticed that the power steering fluid needed topping up a little so did that. (There was a tiny leak but it is not sorted).

Anyway the light still comes on.
It has 2 symbols on it: (P) which I believe is for parking brake and (!) which I assume is indicating this other problem.

The light tends to come on as I am slowing down and then if I press the throttle agin it goes off (not ALWAYS the case though).

I dont have a ford book for it and the Haines manual doesnt mention it anywhere.

Anyone able to help me?

Cheers in advanced

Sloces

[NC30UK]

Check your rear brake wear.

Might be either pads or drums. The warning light could mean that either the pads or low, or something is leaking.

Getthe wheels off it and have a check how much meat is on the pads. If its drums, their a cunt to do. It took me an afternoon to do each side as they were so corroded and the wheel cylinders were leaking.

[JeffT]

[Kickstart]

Hi

Depending on how the car is wired up, I suspect it could be the low fluid warning.

All the best

Keith
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[Barry_M2]

Keith's right, usually means low brake fluid.

[NC30UK]

Thats what mine had, both wheel cylinders had piss out so much fluid that the drums were full, so the shoes were fucked.

£20 for the shoes
£18 per cylinder
£5 for a socket
=£62

[Bendy]

Another vote for low fluid, my Golf did exactly the same thing.

[Fadel]

My dad has that car and I remember asking him what the (!) was

If nothing solves it I will ask him later and get back to you.

[jcolley1364]

i agree either shoes or fluid

[JeffT]

Cheers for the help guys, I will look at this asap as i dont like the sound of fluid leaking!

Will let you know what I find!

[Johnny GSX-R]

Check the inside edges of your rear tyres for wet splash marks which will be a tell tale sign of leaking cylinders..

If the rear wheel cylinders are leaking you'll need new brake shoes too as they'll be contaminated with fluid.

[the grim reaper]

Or even easier, look in the reservoir under the bonnet, the brakes are split into two systems diagonally, so that if you split a hose, the car will still brake in a straight line. The reservoir will be split into two parts by a small divider, this could tell you if you have a leak in one system or a general problem (i.e master cylinder leak).

Don't forget that you live very near a qualified car mechanic who would be more than happy to help for his normal £10 an hour fee (wonder who that could be ). He has also done shed loads of brakes and has all the necessary tools etc.

Cheers

Grim
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[JeffT]

[JeffT]

Well just and update really, thought I would take a look myself (well with my old man) and basically the rear shoes were worn, but not to the point of needing replacement.
This meant the brake fluid level was just above the minimum mark meaning when sloshing about whilst driving the low fluid light was popping on.
Have checked everywhere and there was no leaks so looks like it is all sorted now.

Also managed to find the power steering fluid leak too and sorted that.

Yay!

Cheers for all your pointers guys!

Sloces