stop light - worrying

[steve_rt]

ok so it looks like im gonnabe stuck with my 1.4 for a while yet

got quite a worrying prob - the stop / warning light intermittently comes on (flickers) while im driving, more so when cold, but occaisonaly when the engine is running, at about 2.8k rpm!!!

ive checked the oil, water, levels are fine, although i am losing water at the rate of about a pint every fortnight at the moment, doesnt seem normal to me? i have a bit of "mayonnaise" in the filler cap, not loads but a bit, i know this points towards the head gasket but ive had one go before and there is nothing actually wrong with the driving of the car.

what sensors link to the warning light?

will reno be able to lin kup to the ECU and read any faults off it, are they recorded?

oh and would an independent garage be able to help with this, or do they need ren-specific tools?

a lot of qs i know, but a bit worried!!!

 

[RobFenn]

Your ECU would log any faults so might be worth getting a diagnostic check. Theyd fix it then wipe it. A Red light is normally a crictical light, i.e dont drive it but not sure why it would flicker.

 

[steve_rt]

do they charge for a diagnostic check? i need to know whats wrong with it before i decide if i wanna do it myself or pay them a huge price

renault bexleyheath or blackheath? or can i go independent?

 

[RobFenn]

I think they do yes. Id just go there first and ask what they think it is.

My cars at renault waiting for a check lol its packed there id take it to blackheath. Though you could go to check out my baby is being cared for!

-Rob

 

[Rasclart]

I was getting mine checked a while back. Didnt need it in the end. They said £25 for 1/2 Hour mate!!

 

[steve_rt]

rang them today, they want, and i quote: "ohh something like £36.50 sir" - oh just a rough figure then!

i think ive narowed it down to the brakes, because i checked my fluid level and the level is at min (but only 1month after it was topped up on new brakes and discs!). i think i need to look at the rear drums, coz the handbrake creaks when i put it on / off. no leak at the rear either.

sorry for all the qs in one thread, but shoudl i change my fluid, will it make the braking better?

oh, and any idea why im losing a pint of coolant a fortnight?!!!

cheers for your help

 

[paddymph]

my STOP light and (!) lights flicker when i take a left hand corner at 80 plus, PLEASE does anyone know what this is, as again all my levels seem bang on? Due for 1st 12,000 mile service next week.

ta

 

[Robby]

on my previous cars if the stop light came on when driving it meant the brake pads were getting low, most cars have built in sensors on the pads

 

[paddymph]

cool, i never knew that!!! why would it only do it (whilst not braking) on a left hand corner..ie weight shifts to right hand side of car??

 

[steve_rt]

def not my prob, one of us down! replaced mine about a month ago - actualy, thinkin about it, there is a seperate amber light for the pads aint there?

 

[paddymph]

yep!! Argghhhhhhh

 

[Robby]

ok just looked it up in the handbook (mk2 version), the stop light light up with either - oil light (check your level), temp light (check coolant level and temp gauge), brakes (!) (check pads) or battery (er check battery)

Steve make sure your brake pad sensor (if fitted) is plugged in ok as youve had new pads fitted

(!) symbol also means handbrake on - check its disengaging properly

 

[steve_rt]

any idea where it senses this from, if it senses anything apart from the pads? ive had the amber pad warning light on before, red didnt come on with it!

like i said the fluid is low, ill top up and see what happns. should i flush the fluid periodically?

 

[Robby]

brake fluid is supposed to last upto 5 years or so, might be worthwile doing a fluid change and bleed though

 

[steve_rt]

ok cheers - sorry this isnt the right thread topic now realyl but any reasons for coolant loss of the kindive descrribed? surely evaporation wouldnt account for this?

also, squeezed the pipes (dont ask why?!!) going to and from matrix - felt all crusty, like there was a rough lining i nthem, eg sugar or something! is this normal?

 

[Ben j]

steve and anybody else.



stop light is BRAKE FLUID LEVEL on clios - top it up.

how much water is it using steve? and how often are u sat for long periods in traffic??

- run it up to temperature sitting still, look under the car and check all the pipes for water leakage.

- also check the core plugs on the engine. one of mine rusted a hole in it.

- probably wanna change that crusty pipe..

 

[steve_rt]

well roughly it does about a pint and a bit of coolant every 2-3 weeks.

yeah i do spend a fair amount of time sitting in traffic - job means a bit of driving during day in towns, therefore bastardy queues! in that case is the coolant loss expected?

core plugs, what are they? prob a really dumb ass q, i take it not a spark plug

will plush the cooling sys to get rid of the "crustiness!", but no point until i find out why its drinking coolant!

 

[paddymph]

how come mine only does it at 80 plus on left hand bend then??

 

[Just Bob]

Centrifugal force paddy - let the force be with you when you top up your brake fluid!

Red (!) + (STOP) normally low brake fluid. (might be an underlying cause of low brake fluid) Loss somewhere or just knackered pads. As pads wear the fluid level WILL drop!

and a YELLOW/amber light (cant do the symbol!) means brake pads low or the wire has broken and is going to earth - hence the light comes on.



Bob RTE

 

[steve_rt]

cheers bob, saved me 36.50! pint in the post...

 

[steve_rt]

oh, for a packet of pork scratchings, any ideas about the coolant loss?!