What is the RED light in this picture? It is either Brake or Parking Brake, but I can't remember which. Also, can I use a regular OBDII code scanner to pull the CEL? Car is a 96 and seems to drive fine. Thanks! Image Unavailable, Please Login
Just kidding, bro. The "red" light is the hand brake warning light. Make sure the hand break is fully engaged and you're not driving with the hand brake partially engaged. Pull it all the way up until it catches then release.
lol. thanks, this makes sense because the ebrake needs adjustment. when I pull the ebrake, it does not fully engage the system (the car will still roll). Would properly adjusting the ebrake fix the light? The light stays on even when i disengage the brake.
The F355 hand brake is an unusual design. I was reading about it in my manual a few weeks ago. It seems, since the handbrake is on the left side of the drivers seat, the handbrake is designed to still be on and then lowered, so the driver can exit the car more easily. When I didn't have my owners manual with me, I thought my hand brake was always malfunctioning because I had to keep readjusting and pulling up the handle and releasing it to disengage the brake and have the red light go off. If your handbrake is working correctly, you should have to pull the handbrake all the way up with the button pressed until it catches and then release the button, and the car wont roll. When the handbrake is on, then you can push it back down for more clearance to get out, and the red light will still be on. To disengage the brake, you have to pull it all the way up with the button pressed to catch, and then release it all the way back down with the button pressed until you reach the floor, and the light will go off. As I mentioned previously, make sure you don't drive with the red light on, because maybe your handbrake is partially engaged and this may wear out the handbrake. Any other owners, chime in if this is accurate.
i am fully aware and understand how the ferrari hand brake operates. it is the same in the lotus esprit. my question is, when I disengage the handbrake, the light still stays on. the ebrake needs adjustment because it does not fully engage when applied (ie. the car will still roll with the ebrake on). will the "out of spec" adjustment cause the light to stay on?
Not really sure, about the answer to that question, but it seems likely the light would stay on if their was a problem with the mechanism. I'd take it in to a reputable F-mechanic to get it checked out and adjusted if needed.
I may be due to the spring-loaded plunger-type contact switch. Sometimes due to misalignment or spring fatigue the plunger switch does not fully retract to break the contact so the e-brake light will go out. Check this out - it is a very cheap and easily replaceable part.
yes, i had the same problem with mine however my cable was too warn so even with the max adjustment light still came on while the ebrake was holding(somewhat), i changed the cable, problem fixed.
You can use a OBDII scanner IF your car has had the campaign to have the port rewired to meet federal specs. If this has not been performed (free at any FNA dealer) then you can only use the SD1 or SD2. Call your nearest dealer with your VIN to see if you need to have the port corrected. Get it scanned prompltly, while it may drive fine, you may ruin your cats or some other component...not worth risking. Image Unavailable, Please Login
The E-brake assembly is not terribly complicated to take apart to inspect. I had mine apart a couple times to fix the pawl lever which had worn down. A buddy took it apart and welded a new nose of metal on it and regrinded it to fit. Work great now. Just a few Phillips screws and a couple 10mm bolts as I recall to take it out. The switch is attached to it. It is possible the wire to the switch is touching and grounding out on something, causing the light to be on all the time.
