Where to go when dashboard warning lights come on?

Iceweasel

You shouldn't even have to open the cap to check the brake-fluid level - the reservoir is more than likely to be clear plastic with max and min level marks easy to see.

As your brakes wear down the level of fluid will go down to compensate for the piston travel - it doesn't necessarily mean that there has been a fluid loss - but it could just be enough of a drop to bring the warning light on.

Good luck.

Nodding_Donkey

Iceweasel wrote: »

As your brakes wear down the level of fluid will go down to compensate for the piston travel - it doesn't necessarily mean that there has been a fluid loss - but it could just be enough of a drop to bring the warning light on.

That's a good point. I'm trying to educate my customers that there is no need to top up brake fluid to maximum on a weekly/monthly basis. That just means that we have to suck brake fluid out of the reservoir when changing brake pads.

In normal use you should never have to top up brake fluid, if it is at or below minimum something needs looking at, either pads need changing or you have a leak somewhere.

stator

See if you can join an online forum specific to your type of car, they often have enthusiasts on there who had the equipment to scan your car and can tell you the error codes.

Most garages will have the equipment to do it and may charge you £20 for a decode. However be careful as some garages might not have the same equipment as Nissan. Some may use a cheap ODB scanner that doesn't support all the functions, so do some research and find the right software that is needed for a Nissan and find a garage that has that software.

butterfly72

Thanks everyone for your help and advice. I've checked the brake fluid and there's plenty, in fact it's slightly above the max line!


It had its MOT and service 6 weeks ago and had new brake pads, otherwise nothing brake wise came up.


Its a couple of years out of warranty so I'm going to try a local garage in the morning.


Thanks again.

Iceweasel

Good luck, butterfly 72.

Do come back and let us know how you get on.

Paul_the_Painter

ESP is essentially traction control, so the actual fault could be engine related. My partners Lexus has this and it was caused by an intake manifold motor fault (car adjusts the intake air flow path depending on revs) the fault meant that the cars ECU could not predict exactly how the engine would respond if it had to engage the traction control, and so disabled it. This means the light on the dash comes on.
Before taking it to the garage though, if you are at all handy with the spanners, disconnect the battery for a couple of hours to clear all the fault codes from the system, and see if it reoccurs.

CrazyRed

Hintza wrote: »

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

I'll second this. When the MIL's horsebox broke down, we were told that, if there was any livestock on board, the motorway we were on would have to be closed completely whilst any recovery took place!

butterfly72

Thought I'd report back and let you know what was wrong with the car! Luckily my local garage fitted me in as an emergency when I told them I needed the car for Saturday.


Apparently there was a leak of brake fluid from the nearside rear brake hose. Air was in the system and they had to re-torque bolt (not sure what that means!), bleed system and replenish brake fluid. £92!


I think I got away lightly here, as googling and reading the Nissan forums showed it could have been more expensive, especially if some pump was involved. Also, I can cancel the Nissan diagnostic check which was £120 - what a rip off.


I was able tow and get to my competition yesterday! Thanks again everyone!

arcon5

They had to re-torque the hose? Or did they replace it? If the former who last touched your brakes and when?
I'm also wondering how full the brake fluid must have been if there was a leak and the level was still above max.