Handbrake warning alarm when off

[Drummerja]

Yesterday my handbrake alarm went off even though the hand brake was fully released.

I've had the cover odd, and the sensor looks in good order and no loose wiring that I can see.

The switch button fully depresses and releases as it should.

It was constantly beeping and showing me the warning, and then mid trip would go off and on like there was a connection error and then went off for a few minutes before coming back on again.

About 5 minutes in it went off and stayed off. But now even with the handbrake fully on, there is no P on the dash showing me it's on...

Even unplugged the error was still sounding / warning on the dash.

Anyone have any ideas?

Anyone local to the Liverpool area / Speke area who can lend a hand?

We go to France on Monday as well, or course it would happen the friday before!


It's a T6.1, T30, 72 plate, Highline.

 

[PhillH]

Hi, can you unplug it and use a piece of wire to bridge the two pins on the connector. Loom side.

 

[Drummerja]

Hi, can you unplug it and use a piece of wire to bridge the two pins on the connector. Loom side.

Hi bud thanks for the reply. When I get home I'll give it a go.

Would an obd reader stop the warning or could I mute it with one are you aware?

 

[PhillH]

Hmm not that im aware of. Would probably need ODIS or VCDS pro to do that. If the switch is faulty then shorting the wire should sort it

 

[T32Rich]

Fairly sure that is a "normally open" switch which makes the circuit when operated. If you still have the fault with it unplugged, then maybe it's actually a wiring issue? Have you disturbed anything recently? You could test the switch with a multi-meter.
Update; they also used a "normally closed" switch on later models looking at later diagrams, so you need to find out which you have on yours to fault find properly.

 

[DXX]

We go to France on Monday as well, or course it would happen the friday before!

It’s not a show stopper, either need to make or break the circuit depending if normally open or closed.

 

[Drummerja]

Hi everyone, thanks for your replies.

So, I managed to get to see the fella that did the conversion as I got a flyer from work.

It turns out whoever fitted the diesel heater for him managed to sever the electric cable under the drivers seat, and the open connection was on the metal seat thus creating the circuit?

Anyway, over time it's come loose probably why it was on and off constantly.

He's stripped it back and reconnected it and it's working properly. So it wasn't the sensor after all. Now I have an extra new sensor spare incase it ever does go

Crisis averted! At least the drive to France will be minus a constant beeping. For now!

 

[DXX]

I’ve seen quite a few diesel heater installations that look like they were done with a hammer and a pick axe, unfortunately not on view for the owner.