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Joe the Plumber

Member Since: 18 Dec 2013
Location: Midlands
Posts: 907

2014 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 HT Fuji White

Brake lamp on dash comes and goes on its own

Hi Folks,

I've tried searching for this on here to no avail, so I'd appreciate some thoughts please.

The red 'brake' symbol on the lower half of my fuel gauge (2014 110 van) flickers on and off intermittently. It comes on with the handbrake as it should, but often does it after I've used the footbrake during normal driving.

I've stripped and cleaned the little switch under the handbrake gaiter in the cab, but it still does it. Is it operated by any other switches or sensors on the brakes anywhere please?

Thanks very much for any help.

13th Jul 2017 4:08pm

dorsetsmith

Member Since: 30 Oct 2011
Location: South West
Posts: 4554

all so brake fluid level switch

if it proves to be ok check wire loom beside gear box chafing

13th Jul 2017 4:16pm

blackwolf

Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 16862

2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey

Make sure that the fluid level is well up in the reservoir. On my Puma, if I let it drop to the MAX mark, the light will flicker on if I brake going down hill, and I keep the fluid just in the bottom of the neck of the reservoir.

13th Jul 2017 4:37pm

zsd-puma

Member Since: 09 Aug 2016
Location: Kent
Posts: 2720

2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Santorini Black

The terminal on the top of these often become a corroded mess too, check the wires havent broken off and touching each other.

The Fluid level switch is basically a very crude brake pad wear indicator. When the pads wear the pistons come further out so take up more fluid, which makes the level drop and brings the light on.

13th Jul 2017 5:12pm

custom90

Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 19551

I would also suggest the same as Blackwolf above.

Diesel$ Live$ Matter. ⛽️🛢️👨‍🔧🧰⚙️ RED, WHITE & BOOST! 🇬🇧

13th Jul 2017 5:30pm

Joe the Plumber

Member Since: 18 Dec 2013
Location: Midlands
Posts: 907

Thanks very much folks. I'll have a look at that.

13th Jul 2017 9:22pm

HardCharger

Member Since: 03 Mar 2013
Location: Manila, SFO, Amsterdam
Posts: 673

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Stornoway Grey

Check your brake pads before adding brake fluid. When they are worn down, the fluid level will go down as well. BUT! If you added brake fluid then changed out the pads, you will find that the brake fluid will overflow.

14th Jul 2017 2:42am

Rashers

Member Since: 21 Jun 2015
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 3335

2014 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Corris Grey

I am no mechanic, so this might be mis-guided, but the Defender I used on the LR Experience done the same thing. The instructor blamed a poorly adjusted hand brake??

14th Jul 2017 7:07am

blackwolf

Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 16862

HardCharger wrote:
Check your brake pads before adding brake fluid. When they are worn down, the fluid level will go down as well. BUT! If you added brake fluid then changed out the pads, you will find that the brake fluid will overflow.

Good workshop practice says that you always check the fluid level before changing pads and lower the reservoir level if there is likely to be an overflow issue beforehand. Also changing the pads in one caliper at a time then firming the pedal before moving to the next minimises the increase in fluid level.

14th Jul 2017 8:31am

hank

Member Since: 12 Sep 2016
Location: South Wales
Posts: 2225

I had this and the flickering light drove me mad! Research directed me to check the brake fluid level but as it was within the 'min' and 'max' marks on the reservoir I assumed this not to be the issue.

I went on to clean the contacts on handbrake switch, brake pedal switch and brake fluid reservoir level sender but the light still flickered.
Next I replaced the brake pedal switch (because I broke it cleaning the contacts

) but the light still flickered.

I then did a bit of playing with the brake fluid reservoir level sender. Connecting both spade terminals together with a piece of wire causes the light to fully illuminate, therefore breaking the circuit (disconnecting the level sender completely) should put the light out. I unplugged the fluid reservoir level sender for a few days and the light no longer flickered so I was fairly sure the problem was here however on replacing the sender unit for a new JLR part the light still flickered - infuriating!

I had read online that wiring insulation can wear through causing a short to earth which can lead to light flickering so I had pretty much given up hope thinking this was likely to be the issue. Then months later I had some brake fluid handy so topped up the brake fluid reservoir slightly above the 'max mark' and low and behold, problem solved!

Lesson learned - always start with the basics!

As said, if your fluid level is plentiful just be careful of overflows next brake pad change

14th Jul 2017 9:21am

Joe the Plumber

Member Since: 18 Dec 2013
Location: Midlands
Posts: 907

Just to update this, I've finally got around to topping up my brake fluid (it was literally just below maximum) and, sure enough, the flickering warning light has stopped appearing.

I suppose it seems obvious after the event. Perhaps the warning lights do actually work...!

Thanks again for the help folks.

8th Aug 2017 6:12am

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