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Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: Andy B on 12 June 2009, 02:24:16

Title: Dad! There's a red light on the dash!
Post by: Andy B on 12 June 2009, 02:24:16
No 1 daughter has been added to her Mum's car insurance today (£160) & so has been having a play! Mum went out Wed with her around town, & Dad was volunteered to go on the motorway with her today (Thursday) afternoon.
So .... she went to her boyfriends today & had to drive home in the dark (for the first time)
She arrived home safely, but was stood at the door in tears because there was a red light on the dash & she didn't know what it was, there was a horrible burning/hot smell from the car. As far as she was concerned .... she'd broken Mum's car!  ;D  ;D  ;D
 It turned out that her ever helpfull (young copper) boyfriend had put her handbrake on for her and ....... because her Mum & Dad generally use PARK as the handbrake, she'd not thought to look (or phone home) what the red light was on for!
Now I know what cooked brakes smell like!  :-?  :-?  :-? ::)  ::)
Title: Re: Dad! There's a red light on the dash!
Post by: p j morgan on 12 June 2009, 02:31:57
might have to reline handbrake shoes andy? Mines auto and i dont use my handbrake
Title: Re: Dad! There's a red light on the dash!
Post by: Andy B on 12 June 2009, 02:35:07
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might have to reline handbrake shoes andy? Mines auto and i dont use my handbrake

I know! She 'only' drove about 4 or 5 miles ....... but I'lll wait till SWMBO say tomorrow after her trip to work.  ::)   :y  :y  :y
Title: Re: Dad! There's a red light on the dash!
Post by: p j morgan on 12 June 2009, 02:46:37
should be ok .if it was  on full she wunt ave been able to ave moved the car? Hope it turns out ok anyway andy
Title: Re: Dad! There's a red light on the dash!
Post by: KillerWatt on 12 June 2009, 07:27:20
Don't suppose the car is blue in colour is it?

If so, you now have colour coded brake drums  ;D
Title: Re: Dad! There's a red light on the dash!
Post by: nick v6 on 12 June 2009, 07:31:16
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No 1 daughter has been added to her Mum's car insurance today (£160) & so has been having a play! Mum went out Wed with her around town, & Dad was volunteered to go on the motorway with her today (Thursday) afternoon.
So .... she went to her boyfriends today & had to drive home in the dark (for the first time)
She arrived home safely, but was stood at the door in tears because there was a red light on the dash & she didn't know what it was, there was a horrible burning/hot smell from the car. As far as she was concerned .... she'd broken Mum's car!  ;D  ;D  ;D
 It turned out that her ever helpfull (young copper) boyfriend had put her handbrake on for her and ....... because her Mum & Dad generally use PARK as the handbrake, she'd not thought to look (or phone home) what the red light was on for!
Now I know what cooked brakes smell like!  :-?  :-?  :-? ::)  ::)

oh dear
red light on the dash
she may need to go here (http://www.go-red.co.uk/index.php)
 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

hope she aint caused to much damage
Title: Re: Dad! There's a red light on the dash!
Post by: Jimbob on 12 June 2009, 07:49:50
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might have to reline handbrake shoes andy? Mines auto and i dont use my handbrake


One day that will bite you!

Unused handbrakes have a habit of biting come MOT time  :'(

I just never got out the habit of using it from manual days  :y
Title: Re: Dad! There's a red light on the dash!
Post by: KillerWatt on 12 June 2009, 08:17:53
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might have to reline handbrake shoes andy? Mines auto and i dont use my handbrake


One day that will bite you!

Unused handbrakes have a habit of biting come MOT time  :'(

I just never got out the habit of using it from manual days  :y
Tell me about it.
The previous owners never used the handbrake all the time they had the car (3 years or so).
First day we got the Mig, the old lady used the handbrake and the resultant random noises when driving afterwards were a right pain to say the least.

Rather than waste time stripping it down, I took the quick way out by holding the handbrake button in and "snatching" the lever up & down a few times while driving....that sorted it!
Title: Re: Dad! There's a red light on the dash!
Post by: Jimbob on 12 June 2009, 08:22:51
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Quote
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might have to reline handbrake shoes andy? Mines auto and i dont use my handbrake


One day that will bite you!

Unused handbrakes have a habit of biting come MOT time  :'(

I just never got out the habit of using it from manual days  :y
Tell me about it.
The previous owners never used the handbrake all the time they had the car (3 years or so).
First day we got the Mig, the old lady used the handbrake and the resultant random noises when driving afterwards were a right pain to say the least.

Rather than waste time stripping it down, I took the quick way out by holding the handbrake button in and "snatching" the lever up & down a few times while driving....that sorted it!


You were lucky!  a lots of bits can seize, and need replacing.

Mine had always been mediochre.....not long ago had new rear disks, did the hadbrake pads as well, now the handbrake is excellent, and will stop the car on it own no trouble.

TheBoy had a lot of trouble with his at one MOT, ended up replacing most the system iirc.  :'(  It just couldnt be coaxed back to life.
Title: Re: Dad! There's a red light on the dash!
Post by: Auto Addict on 12 June 2009, 08:23:37
Handbrake - use it or lose it!
Title: Re: Dad! There's a red light on the dash!
Post by: Andy B on 12 June 2009, 08:30:41
Just phoned SWMBO to confirm that all was OK with her car!

It is, apart from the funny smell still!  ;D  ;D  ;D
Title: Re: Dad! There's a red light on the dash!
Post by: Lazydocker on 12 June 2009, 08:31:54
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might have to reline handbrake shoes andy? Mines auto and i dont use my handbrake


One day that will bite you!

Unused handbrakes have a habit of biting come MOT time  :'(

I just never got out the habit of using it from manual days  :y

Yep... I was lucky to bring mine back to life when I got the car... It now gets used at least once/day :y :y :y
Title: Re: Dad! There's a red light on the dash!
Post by: Kevin Wood on 12 June 2009, 09:28:42
I have a good cure for "auto handbrake neglect".

Strip down an auto box sometime and have a look at what actually holds the car in "Park".  :o

Kevin
Title: Re: Dad! There's a red light on the dash!
Post by: Andy B on 12 June 2009, 09:39:40
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I have a good cure for "auto handbrake neglect".

Strip down an auto box sometime and have a look at what actually holds the car in "Park".  :o

Kevin

Before I started to drive autos regularly, I'm not sure what I was trying to do, but I tried to put my Dad's auto into Park before I'd properly stopped!  :o It didn't like it! :-[  :-[  :-[  :y
Title: Re: Dad! There's a red light on the dash!
Post by: Kevin Wood on 12 June 2009, 09:54:59
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I have a good cure for "auto handbrake neglect".

Strip down an auto box sometime and have a look at what actually holds the car in "Park".  :o

Kevin

Before I started to drive autos regularly, I'm not sure what I was trying to do, but I tried to put my Dad's auto into Park before I'd properly stopped!  :o It didn't like it! :-[  :-[  :-[  :y

Reminds me of a mate of mine from uni who had a Morris Ital like mine. He decided to go for 5th gear on the A12 one day (4 speed box) and somehow engaged reverse. Bits of gearbox casing everywhere. ;D

Could have been worse.. Could have been the oil pressure light. :o

Kevin
Title: Re: Dad! There's a red light on the dash!
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 12 June 2009, 10:19:09
Yep, use it or loose it.

I actually rarely reply to threads about 'shite' handbrakes on auto cars now....as I have zero sympathy any more.

Be prepared for rear wheel bearing failure in the next 1000 miles then as when the brakes get very hot they boil the grease.
Title: Re: Dad! There's a red light on the dash!
Post by: Andy B on 12 June 2009, 10:26:28
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......
Be prepared for rear wheel bearing failure in the next 1000 miles then as when the brakes get very hot they boil the grease.

The thought had crossed my mind, although I did't actually touch anything, the smell was enough to suggest that they were HOT!!!  :( The rear brakes on it are standard type drums, I suppose that when we get back from holiday I'll have to at least have a look inside. I've some moly grease in the garage somewhere.  :y  :y :y
Title: Re: Dad! There's a red light on the dash!
Post by: shammster on 12 June 2009, 11:12:08

It's never occured to me not to use the handbrake because its an auto.
At last a bad habit i DON'T have  :)
Title: Re: Dad! There's a red light on the dash!
Post by: Andy B on 12 June 2009, 12:55:19
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It's never occured to me not to use the handbrake because its an auto.
At last a bad habit i DON'T have  :)

Where's your car going to go with it in Park?  :-?
Title: Re: Dad! There's a red light on the dash!
Post by: shammster on 12 June 2009, 13:05:16

Nowhere!
Just one of these extra security things, it don't have to make sense  :)
Title: Re: Dad! There's a red light on the dash!
Post by: Jimbob on 12 June 2009, 13:09:21
If you swap between autos / manuals well worth always using as well, saves forgetting in the wrong car  :-[


sure ive heard somewhere, if a car hits yours while parked, it can snap part of the gearbox, leaving no brake.....using the handbrake at least your hit car will be where you left it.
Title: Re: Dad! There's a red light on the dash!
Post by: shammster on 12 June 2009, 13:10:33

And I do drive manuals as well.
It's the parking pawl that gets snapped, loose metal in the box, not good!
Title: Re: Dad! There's a red light on the dash!
Post by: Kevin Wood on 12 June 2009, 14:00:18
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And I do drive manuals as well.
It's the parking pawl that gets snapped, loose metal in the box, not good!

The parking pawl being a little key about 4mm across that slots into the output shaft IIRC. Not much to hold 1800 Kg of car.

Also, using Park as a brake means there is a load of torque on the drivetrain. I have a theory that this can distort the rubber doughnut coupling on the end of the propshaft. There is certainly vibration from the drivetrain on my car in the morning if it's left on my slightly sloping driveway in "P". I now ensure the handbrake is holding the car in "N" before putting it into "P" and no problems recently.

Kevin
Title: Re: Dad! There's a red light on the dash!
Post by: Jimbob on 12 June 2009, 14:10:03
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And I do drive manuals as well.
It's the parking pawl that gets snapped, loose metal in the box, not good!

The parking pawl being a little key about 4mm across that slots into the output shaft IIRC. Not much to hold 1800 Kg of car.

Also, using Park as a brake means there is a load of torque on the drivetrain. I have a theory that this can distort the rubber doughnut coupling on the end of the propshaft. There is certainly vibration from the drivetrain on my car in the morning if it's left on my slightly sloping driveway in "P". I now ensure the handbrake is holding the car in "N" before putting it into "P" and no problems recently.

Kevin


Interesting, I reckon I go into park, then handbrake....

I'll see if I can adjust to the other way  :y
Title: Re: Dad! There's a red light on the dash!
Post by: shammster on 12 June 2009, 16:58:33

Not sure which way around I do it, not a conscious action!
Title: Re: Dad! There's a red light on the dash!
Post by: KillerWatt on 12 June 2009, 17:13:09
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sure ive heard somewhere, if a car hits yours while parked, it can snap part of the gearbox, leaving no brake.....using the handbrake at least your hit car will be where you left it.
If another car hits mine while I'm parked up, the gearbox can go & f*ck itself because the pound signs will be rolling by the time I'm finished filling in the paperwork.


PS

In fact, the whole car can go f*ck itself if somebody hits it while it's parked.
Title: Re: Dad! There's a red light on the dash!
Post by: Del Boy on 12 June 2009, 17:17:29
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should be ok .if it was  on full she wunt ave been able to ave moved the car? Hope it turns out ok anyway andy
I always thought that, until I was doing 80 in my van handbrake fully up  ;D it was awful on there adjusted now .
Title: Re: Dad! There's a red light on the dash!
Post by: Jimbob on 12 June 2009, 18:32:08
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sure ive heard somewhere, if a car hits yours while parked, it can snap part of the gearbox, leaving no brake.....using the handbrake at least your hit car will be where you left it.
If another car hits mine while I'm parked up, the gearbox can go & f*ck itself because the pound signs will be rolling by the time I'm finished filling in the paperwork.


PS

In fact, the whole car can go f*ck itself if somebody hits it while it's parked.


Not quite....you are liable for any damage YOUR car causes...
Admit you didnt put the parking brake on and fighting to pass the liability back to the party who hit you will be harder  :y
Title: Re: Dad! There's a red light on the dash!
Post by: KillerWatt on 12 June 2009, 20:27:03
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Not quite....you are liable for any damage YOUR car causes...
So a TWOC'r hits my parked car up the jacksie at 70mph, which then causes my car to go through the neighbours front room and end up kiling them....and I'm responsible because I didn't put the handbrake on?

Get f**king real  ;D ;D

Liability ends up with the schmuck who wasn't paying attention in my world.
Title: Re: Dad! There's a red light on the dash!
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 12 June 2009, 20:29:53
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Not quite....you are liable for any damage YOUR car causes...
So a TWOC'r hits my parked car up the jacksie at 70mph, which then causes my car to go through the neighbours front room and end up kiling them....and I'm responsible because I didn't put the handbrake on?

Get f**king real  ;D ;D

Liability ends up with the schmuck who wasn't paying attention in my world.

Ultimate liability yes but, the insurance companies are known to go knock for knock on the costs of such incidents
Title: Re: Dad! There's a red light on the dash!
Post by: KillerWatt on 12 June 2009, 20:32:14
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Not quite....you are liable for any damage YOUR car causes...
So a TWOC'r hits my parked car up the jacksie at 70mph, which then causes my car to go through the neighbours front room and end up kiling them....and I'm responsible because I didn't put the handbrake on?

Get f**king real  ;D ;D

Liability ends up with the schmuck who wasn't paying attention in my world.

Ultimate liability yes but, the insurance companies are known to go knock for knock on the costs of such incidents
They like to try it on for sure, but if you're in the right then you need to stand up for youself and not take any crap.
Title: Re: Dad! There's a red light on the dash!
Post by: Jimbob on 12 June 2009, 21:06:35
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Quote
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Not quite....you are liable for any damage YOUR car causes...
So a TWOC'r hits my parked car up the jacksie at 70mph, which then causes my car to go through the neighbours front room and end up kiling them....and I'm responsible because I didn't put the handbrake on?

Get f**king real  ;D ;D

Liability ends up with the schmuck who wasn't paying attention in my world.

Ultimate liability yes but, the insurance companies are known to go knock for knock on the costs of such incidents
They like to try it on for sure, but if you're in the right then you need to stand up for youself and not take any crap.


Insurance will do anything to get out of paying out...

YOU didnt apply parking brake, as taught no driving test, and likely demanded in car's handbook.

Yes its the bloke who hit's you car's fault, but they turn round and say if your handbrake was on, your car wouldnt have gone so far, and Joe would still be alive.

Tenuous I know, and agree, but also possible.  >:(

Same on motorway pileups, if you dont leave enough stopping distance, then someone goes up the back of you, you hit car in front.  they claim off your insurance, who try and claim it back and so on.


'In your World' - It aint that one that counts  :'(
Title: Re: Dad! There's a red light on the dash!
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 12 June 2009, 21:40:30
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And I do drive manuals as well.
It's the parking pawl that gets snapped, loose metal in the box, not good!

The parking pawl being a little key about 4mm across that slots into the output shaft IIRC. Not much to hold 1800 Kg of car.

Also, using Park as a brake means there is a load of torque on the drivetrain. I have a theory that this can distort the rubber doughnut coupling on the end of the propshaft. There is certainly vibration from the drivetrain on my car in the morning if it's left on my slightly sloping driveway in "P". I now ensure the handbrake is holding the car in "N" before putting it into "P" and no problems recently.Kevin

Good detail..and convincing theory which I do the same always.. :y