All MK2 Golf Owners Should Read This

I've just learnt that the handbrake warning light in the dash on a MK2 golf is also the warning light to show that the brake fluid is dangerously low!

Basically, if the handbrake light doesn't go out when you release the handbrake, it means the fluid is low and you should check it straight away, and there may be a brake fluid leak somewhere.

I've had a near miss today with my brakes, my handbrake warning light was on earlier today but I thought it was the switch in the handbrake that was faulty so thought nothing of it, the brakes felt fine. Anyway, one of my rear calipers had developed a fairly severe leak and the handbrake light was warning me that there was very low fluid. Luckily I was moving at jogging pace on the flat when I realised that the brakes weren't right.

Have I lost any man-points for admitting this, or is this something that is generally not known? I've had my MK2 5 years and never knew this

 

Ok never knew that they were connected after 15 years of Mk2'ing.

 

lol That's the same for almost every car

 

Guys were supposed to read the instruction book when you get a car lol

 

Men reading instructions? You're off your rocker

 

Exactly lol IF ALL ELSE FAILS READ THE INSTRUCTIONS lol

 

Have to admit I always thought the handbrake warning light was also the warning lights for brakes in general



Definitely was the case in my clio 172 and the current Saxo

 

OP: You get 'good citizen' points for sharing useful info with those that didn't know, but you do lose a point or two 'cos of what Dan says in post #3.

 

Aye, that light is also connected to the level sensor in the brake fluid reservoir.

I've had the sound deadening hanging down from the bonnet and pressing the button on the top setting the light off! lol

 

An indication of low brake fluid has been a u.k. legal requirement since about 1980. There's also a clause that the indication must be easily shown to be working, so it's convienient to double it with a handbrake warning (if there is one) - the last f**d cortinas had a little push button low down on the dash for l/b/fluid, which lit up when pressed.

 

Ohh that's what's floating in the passenger footwell......

 

that happened to mine and one of the rear brakes was ****ing brake fluid, I had the hand brake checked and then we sussed it!!!

No stuff like that on the T2 though!

 

oops sorry p!!!!

 

Thats what the button is for on the top of the bottle - to check the warning light works! In the manual somewhere i think? Didnt find out for the first 9 years of my ownership though... and my dad wasnt aware for the first 20years of ownership!

 

Seriously, is that the reason why mine didn't light up for weeks until today I saw my brake fluid reservoir completely empty.