The SVA says that the brake system has to have a wrning light that can be tested - can anyone explein what they mean and hos to do it? I have a master cylinder off a capri with the sensor in the reservoir cap.

Thanks

Gary

Hi Gary

The brake warning light, tests the brake fluid level, to ensure you have enough in the resevoir to stop you!

By tradition in most tin tops this is done via the hand brake. i.e. you get in turn the ignition and the warning light comes on. If it doesn't you should check the bulb and the brake fluid level before you set off.

So briefly run a switched live from the ignition to the warning light, then from there it has two routes to earth to complete the circuit, one through the switch on the fluid level cap and the other through the test switch (normally on the handbrake).

(NB It may need wiring differently depending on the way your specific switches work)


for rob

Hope that helps.

Mike

It means a method of testing the bulb in the dashboard.

Easy:= Just wire up the handbrake switch, and applying the handbrake will test the bulb, as well as telling you your handbrake is on.

Somtimes its much simpler than you think

The best way imo is to have a switch which is activated by the handbrake connected in parallel with the 'low level' switch on the m/c cap. That way you can test the warning light (on the dash somewhere) by pulling up the handbrake.

For the benefit of others - the button on the reservoir cap isn't enough on its own - it has to be something the driver can do in the passenger compartment. In your case you're OK as you have a switch on the handbrake. You can have a push-button on the dash, but I believe that it has to be labelled to show what it is (the handbrake is tidier!).

I got my handbrake switch from Premier Wiring - it's like a microswitch with a broad lever on it. Wasn't expensive, and all I had to do is make a mounting on the base of my Escort handbrake, and a bit of angle on the lever to contact the switch. It's all hidden by the rubber surround, so it didn't bother the SVA man.

cheers,
David

quote:

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Originally posted by David Jenkins
For the benefit of others - the button on the reservoir cap isn't enough on its own - it has to be something the driver can do in the passenger compartment. David

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You dont need to lift the cap off the resevoir to test it. The top of the cap is a button to check the operation of the float switch.

Agreed, the easiest way is to connect up the handbrake switch. And yes it needs to be testable from the driving position (sure it says that in the manual somewhere)

David

Thanks for your wisdom!

Cheers

Gary