Where to go when dashboard warning lights come on?

butterfly72

A warning light has come up on my Nissan X-trail. Its the ESP off light, above there's a little light showing a car skidding. Also the handbrake light is staying on. Do I really need to take it to a dealership or can I go to any garage for the diagnostics and repairs?


Also, does anyone know if it'll be ok for me to tow my horse trailer with these lights on?


Thanks.

Gavin78

Handbrake light on can be a number of things I would get it looked at first. I used to have a car Fiat Brava the light used to come on when the back break light was not working or when break fluid was low.

could be something else though, the other one I'm sure it's to do with traction control usually light up in bad weather if the car hasn't got any grip but why it's on now I can't help you with that.

Gavin78

I might add that it could be the slave cylinder had that go on the brava as well the handbrake light kept coming on for that as well. but you'd probably know if it was that as couldn't get the car into gear

DTDfanBoy

It's probably just a dud sensor somewhere, any decent independant garage will be able to read the codes.

With several warning lights indicating an undiagnosed problem do you really think it's a good idea to attach a horse float to the vehicle :cool:

Norman_Castle

The handbrake light may also indicate other brake faults including faulty wheel sensors. The ESP will not work with a faulty sensor.
Have you checked the brake fluid level?.

butterfly72

DTDfanBoy wrote: »

It's probably just a dud sensor somewhere, any decent independant garage will be able to read the codes.

With several warning lights indicating an undiagnosed problem do you really think it's a good idea to attach a horse float to the vehicle :cool:

That's great that an independent garage can check. Re, towing no, I don't thing its a great idea hence my question!

Hintza

butterfly72 wrote: »

Also, does anyone know if it'll be ok for me to tow my horse trailer with these lights on?

My OH was on holiday last week and had three journeys to make with the horses totalling 550 miles I told her on Friday the front brakes were binding and it wouldn't be going anywhere until repaired. You would have thought my actions were akin to a Borgia plot and I had secretly planned it.

Long and the short she had to borrow a car.

If you are messing around locally that might be OK but if it is a drive of say more than 10-20 miles DON'T.

Get the car fixed.

You do not want to be having car, trailer and horses recovered.

butterfly72

Norman_Castle wrote: »

The handbrake light may also indicate other brake faults including faulty wheel sensors. The ESP will not work with a faulty sensor.
Have you checked the brake fluid level?.

Thank you, is there a way I can check the brake fluid level myself?

Hintza

butterfly72 wrote: »

Thank you, is there a way I can check the brake fluid level myself?

Yes. But ask someone who knows what they are looking for (it isn't difficult).

Assuming your car is serviced regularly then I would suggest it is likely to be more than low fluid. I would get down to a local garage you trust and ask them to take a look.

I am assuming the car is older and out of warranty. If so do not go to the dealer.

Ebe_Scrooge

butterfly72 wrote: »

Thank you, is there a way I can check the brake fluid level myself?

It's very easy to check the fluid level. Open the bonnet, find the brake fluid reservoir, unscrew the cap and have a look. There is more than likely a mark on the reservoir to show where the level should be.

If you don't know where the reservoir is, check the user handbook, it'll be clearly marked - it's one of those things that you should be checking regularly anyway.

Before you unscrew the cap, it's a good idea to give it a wipe over with a rag, just to remove any possibility of bits of dirt dropping into the fluid.

If it needs topping up, just buy a small bottle of the correct fluid from Halfords or similar - again, the handbook will tell you the correct type for your car, although there's a limited range to choose from.

Don't shake the bottle before you pour it in - in fact, let it stand for 5 minutes beforehand. You don't want any air bubbles getting into the system.

Of course, if it needs more than a small amount of fluid to top up then you need to be finding the cause.

Hope this helps.

Norman_Castle

http://teon.co/cars/nissan-x-trail-petrol-2-dot-0/manuals/51b71dfba11460327500027a/chapters/weekly-checks/chapter_parts/checking-brake-fluid

I suspect it likely to be a sensor but checking the level is quick and simple (and free!).