Car Question

[scheherazade_79]

Just wondering if there were any car experts / mechanics out there, because I've searched the internet for ages and can't find the solution to my problem, which is this - whenever I go around a roundabout or make a tight turn, the handbrake symbol lights up on the dash, even though I haven't touched the handbrake.
The brakes are working fine otherwise, and although I don't like to lay the finger of blame on anyone it only started happening after I'd had a couple of new tyres put on.
Does anyone know what's going on with my car? Is it safe to drive up the motorway, or should I cut my losses and take the train?

 

[Op_Cit]

The handbrake is just mechanical (by that I mean it doesn't get engaged by itself), and the light is just an indicator that it's on. So it's probably a loose wire. (Assuming that it is off and you're not driving around with it partially engaged.)

So no risk.

But if you're really concerned you could just try to make only left turns. (that's a joke.)

BTW: I am not a car expert , I just portray one in internet forums.

 

[scheherazade_79]

Well, you know a lot more than I do, so thank you for the reply.

 

[Weird Harold]

The brakes are working fine otherwise, and although I don't like to lay the finger of blame on anyone it only started happening after I'd had a couple of new tyres put on.
Does anyone know what's going on with my car? Is it safe to drive up the motorway, or should I cut my losses and take the train?

The "Hand Brake" light in most cars -- at least most cars here in America -- is both a "Hand Brake On" indicator and an "Brake Failure Warning light," so it's telling you that your brakes are not working right in a tight turn.

I'd definitely have a mechanic look at the problem -- after I checked the Brake Fluid level.

There are a couple of ways the brake failure warning can be implemented, but fluid level and/or brake fluid pressure are common ways. If you have ABS on your car, it could be an electronic/ABS braking warning.

Since it happened right after you had the Tires changed, I'd definitely tell the mechanic to look closely at the hoses and wiring for damage that might have been caused by the people who changed the tires -- and would NOT take it to the same people as changed the tires for that reason; if there is evidence of damage that was cused by the tire change, you may also want to consult lawyer -- especially if there is any suspicion that it might be deliberate damage.

I would NOT take the car on Motorway, and would drive it only enough to get it to a mechanic -- particularly if your car does have ABS. If it IS an intermitant ABS failure, then you could be looking at suddenly finding yourself with no brakes at all should the ABS system fail completely.

So, first check the brake fluid level -- if the fluid level is low, then the sloshing from the side forces in a turn could be tripping the fluid low sensor and giving you this indication.

Second, take it to a brake specialist.

If the fluid was low, tell them you need the brakes inspected for leaks.

If the Fluid was not low, or topping the fluid off didn't fix the problem, tell them basically what you posted here and ask them to look for -- and document -- any signs of possible sabotage by the tire people.

Until the problem is fixed, make sure you allow at least twice the normal braking distance and learn how to stop without brakes if necessary.

 

[scheherazade_79]

Wow! Thank you, Weird Harold Going out to check the brak fluid level now.

 

[Weird Harold]

Wow! Thank you, Weird Harold Going out to check the brak fluid level now.

You're welcome. Warnign lights are there for a reason, but I'm sometimes surprised at the number of people who ignore them. That's one of the fw things I liked about the Subaru I owned many years ago; it had a separate "BRAKE FAILURE!" and "parking brake engaged" lights (and a check warning lights buzzer.)

It's about the ONLY thing I liked about that lemon, but I was never in doubt about when I was going to have call a tow-truck again.

 

[LadyJeanne]

Can anyone post a car question? (That's a rhetorical question.)

My oil light flicks on after I've been driving for at least 20 minutes or so. No leaks, oil was changed just a few weeks ago, car mostly sits parked; she's 4 years old and barely has 15,000 miles on her. VW.

This has happened only a few times, but once the light flicks on, it generally stays on, although it might go off, depending on if I'm on a steep hill or not.

 

[raphy]

Can anyone post a car question? (That's a rhetorical question.)

My oil light flicks on after I've been driving for at least 20 minutes or so. No leaks, oil was changed just a few weeks ago, car mostly sits parked; she's 4 years old and barely has 15,000 miles on her. VW.

This has happened only a few times, but once the light flicks on, it generally stays on, although it might go off, depending on if I'm on a steep hill or not.

Sounds like yer sensor's buggered

 

[hydrex]

Can anyone post a car question? (That's a rhetorical question.)

My oil light flicks on after I've been driving for at least 20 minutes or so. No leaks, oil was changed just a few weeks ago, car mostly sits parked; she's 4 years old and barely has 15,000 miles on her. VW.

This has happened only a few times, but once the light flicks on, it generally stays on, although it might go off, depending on if I'm on a steep hill or not.

you might have a bad oil sending unit.

 

[hydrex]

The handbrake is just mechanical (by that I mean it doesn't get engaged by itself), and the light is just an indicator that it's on. So it's probably a loose wire. (Assuming that it is off and you're not driving around with it partially engaged.)

So no risk.

But if you're really concerned you could just try to make only left turns. (that's a joke.)

BTW: I am not a car expert , I just portray one in internet forums.

um....roundabouts usually are left turns once you get into them.

 

[LadyJeanne]

Sounds like yer sensor's buggered

So she's not likely to explode?

 

[LadyJeanne]

you might have a bad oil sending unit.

That sounds serious...you mean whatever pumps the oil around the engine isn't doing its job?

 

[raphy]

That sounds serious...you mean whatever pumps the oil around the engine isn't doing its job?

That's what he meant, I think.

Either way, I guess I'd get it looked at, if only for peace of mind - Warning lights are given to us for a reason. If they come on, it's either to tell us to fix something, or they're broken... Which means they can't tell us when it's the right time to fix something... Which, in my mind, is an equally bad situation to be in =)

 

[Softouch911]

Just wondering if there were any car experts / mechanics out there, because I've searched the internet for ages and can't find the solution to my problem, which is this - whenever I go around a roundabout or make a tight turn, the handbrake symbol lights up on the dash, even though I haven't touched the handbrake.
The brakes are working fine otherwise, and although I don't like to lay the finger of blame on anyone it only started happening after I'd had a couple of new tyres put on.
Does anyone know what's going on with my car? Is it safe to drive up the motorway, or should I cut my losses and take the train?

Exactly what Weird Harold said, especially the cautions. If the fluid level is down, fill it with new stuff (check owner's manual for the grade) then drive even more slowly to the mechanic to check it over. Indeed, it could be a loose wire, but I wouldn't want to find out it was a real brake issue in the meantime.




Softouch

 

[Softouch911]

That sounds serious...you mean whatever pumps the oil around the engine isn't doing its job?

Exactly.

But also, depending on the kind of car, it could just be that they didn't put in enough oil. Check the level.

Also check the fill cap to see if it's on securely.

You say there are no leaks because .....?




Softouch

 

[LadyJeanne]

Exactly.

But also, depending on the kind of car, it could just be that they didn't put in enough oil. Check the level.

Also check the fill cap to see if it's on securely.

You say there are no leaks because .....?




Softouch

I've checked the oil level, fine, and the cap is on tightly. I say there are no leaks because there's no oil on the ground and I assumed the mechanics who changed the oil last month would have spotted a leak that wouldn't leave evidence on the ground (so they could charge me $$$ to fix it). I always go to them, so they do know my car, a bit.

I should give VW a ring and find out what's what. I don't drive often, so I always forget until I get into the car.

 

[gotwood49]

Can anyone post a car question? (That's a rhetorical question.)

My oil light flicks on after I've been driving for at least 20 minutes or so. No leaks, oil was changed just a few weeks ago, car mostly sits parked; she's 4 years old and barely has 15,000 miles on her. VW.

This has happened only a few times, but once the light flicks on, it generally stays on, although it might go off, depending on if I'm on a steep hill or not.

LadyJeanne, have you noticed the car running exceedingly hot, or running rough? This might indicate something wrong with the oil pressure, but if the car sits a lot, it may just be a sensor problem.

Definitely take it to the dealer...they can find out why the light's going on, but don't let them quote you some ridiculous fee for fixing some 'hypotulatur valve' or something...(there IS no hypotulatur valve!!) Get back on the forum if you get a quote, and ask one of us 'experts'...just to make sure you don't get taken to the cleaners.

btw...I'm not a mechanic, just an 'old car' fanatic. I do rebuild engines, suspensions, etc. but I'm not much up on the newer 'computer' cars... but, hey, it's all basic, when you get down to it.

Hope you got some help from all this...

 

[R. Richard]

Can anyone post a car question? (That's a rhetorical question.)

My oil light flicks on after I've been driving for at least 20 minutes or so. No leaks, oil was changed just a few weeks ago, car mostly sits parked; she's 4 years old and barely has 15,000 miles on her. VW.

This has happened only a few times, but once the light flicks on, it generally stays on, although it might go off, depending on if I'm on a steep hill or not.

The "oil light" is triggered by low oil pressure. The fact that is comes on after you drive 20 minutes or so would tend to support the idea of low oil pressure. As you drive, the oil heats up. As the oil heats up it gets thinner and the pressure goes down. The first thing to check is exactly what oil was put into the engine. There was an owners handbook that came with the car and it can tell you what oil to put in for what climate. (if you have lost the handbook, do call VW). DON'T just put in thicker oil, the specific weight and type of oil is what needs to be used.

You have only put on some 4,000 miles per year. There is also the possiblity that your engine has a lot of "gunk" built up inside it. The first thing to do is to drive quite a ways before your next oil change and then have the oil changed while the engine is still hot. The heat will tend to loosen up the gunk and maybe you can drain out some of it.

If neither "quick fix" works, I would have a real mechanic look at the car. In a typical city of a million people you might find one real mechanic. It is worth asking around to try to find the one real mechanic.

 

[Op_Cit]

Doh! Of course, thanks Harold.

Ya see, I keep telling everyone I'm an idiot. Fortunately, I have the ability to constantly make a fool of myself in public making it impossible for me to hide it.

 

[Weird Harold]

That sounds serious...you mean whatever pumps the oil around the engine isn't doing its job?

No, the "oil sending unit" (or Oil Sensing unit) is what detects the oil pressure. the Oil Pump is what sends the oil through the engine

Like brake problems, oil pressure problems are not something to ignore because while they can have causes that aren't hazardous, they can turn into something VERY expensive if they're actually caused by low oil pressure -- a new oil pump is a lot cheaper than a new engine.

RR's diagnosis is a good possibility, but the wrong grade of oil shouldn't show your symptoms unless the engine is getting very hot, so it might be a combination of the wrong oil and a failing oil pump.

Does your VW have guages or just idiot lights? If you've got oil and temperature guages, what are they reading when the light comes on?

The most likely cause is a bad oil pressure sensor, but you should always assume the worst and treat it like the Oil Pump is going bad until a comptent mechanic tells you different. (RR is right, real mechanics are hard to find, but competent should be sufficient for this problem -- just don't let them tell you they couldn't find the problem so it isn't there.)

 

[neonlyte]

Sounds like yer sensor's buggered

Hey Raphy

How ya doing man?

Long time - no squeak.

Wills/neon