Low brake fluid warning light and beep

Talk about the 406's electrical system, what wires do what, how to add extra functionality, etc.

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buctootim
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Location: brighton

Low brake fluid warning light and beep

Post by buctootim »

Apparently this is a common fault?! but i've no idea how to fix it. I saw somebody else asked about the same thing last year - but the link given in the answer no longer works. Any help appreciated!
muffindell
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Low Brake Fluid and bleep on handbrake only

Post by muffindell »

I've see the pictures but what do they mean!?????? When I pull on my hand brake the low level indicator comes on occasionally but not all the time and never while driving. What do you need to do to sort this fault out?
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mjb
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Post by mjb »

I'd guess (just from the pictures) that you need to have a look at that connector in the last picture. Maybe it's come loose or the contacts have rusted, etc
buctootim
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Post by buctootim »

Thats great thanks! I read somewhere else that its the handbrake switch which is faulty - around £6 from a main dealer. This shows me what to look for.
muffindell
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Handbrake beep

Post by muffindell »

If the switch is only £6 then I think that would be the best route, I wouldn't of thought(but not impossible) that a connector in that area would corrode very much.
richyb83
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Post by richyb83 »

I had this fault when I first got the 406. The story I heard was the early D9s had a problem with the handbrake switch tripping the low brake fluid warning. I guess most of them were fixed under warranty but obviously some owners decided to live with it instead. It was a simple job to fix, new switch was £3.50 from peugeot as far as I remember and it was simply a case of taking out the old and in with the new. Took about 35 mins all in all. Hope this helps.
rapport25
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Post by rapport25 »

Can someone give me more details please. As mine has been doing it for the last 4 yrs can someone give me more info please mine is the later model a 2000 reg. Its not a constant problem just sometimes it very annoying. Is it an easy job to remove the casing getting to the sensor etc...?
richyb83
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Post by richyb83 »

It really is a straight forward job. I can't remeber exactly what order I did it in but basically you take out the ash trays (front and back), then gentle prise out the vented looking section with the buttons with a flat head screw driver (next to handbrake). Gentle prise out gear stick gator. Once you have got these out you should see all the screws you need to take the centre section out. I removed the central section right up to under the stereo. Once its all out you just wiggle the old switch and put the new one in. Its a black L shaped switch. If you see the pictures in the previous post (third one of the bare handbrake) you see a small metal square hole on the driver side. This is where the switch is. Most fiddly bit I found was lining up the air vents by your feet when putting it back together. My instructions might be missing a few steps as it was a while ago when I did it but you can't go far wrong. One thing I will say is don't force anything, if it doesn't come out just keep looking for screws or bolts you missed. I missed two horizontal screws on the inside of the gearbox area and very nearly broke the whole lot pulling it.
buctootim
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Post by buctootim »

I finally got around to getting this fixed. £35 from the main dealer. Bargain for bleep free driving.
rapport25
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Post by rapport25 »

Does that include fitting or just supply only?
rapport25
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Post by rapport25 »

Does that include fitting or just supply only?
tiggercl
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Post by tiggercl »

I encountered the same issue with the handbrake switch not long after the garage replaced it with a new one.

Decided to investigate and removed the switch from the vehicle. The design is quite poor with a dodgy on-off action (connect a meter to the switch and test the on-off movement).

I liberally coated the inners of the switch with CRC 2-26 (down the plunger bit), worked the action a few times, re-tested, then installed back into vehicle. I also coated the top of the plunger with some white grease to prevent grabbing and subsequent wiggling of the plunger.

Result - spot on !

Cheers
buctootim
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Post by buctootim »

rapport25 wrote:Does that include fitting or just supply only?

Sorry for delay. Havent been on for a while. Supply and fit from Becks in Burgess Hill for £35. apparently the switch irself is only around £6.
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