Phillip Meyer Posted September 19, 2021 Share Posted September 19, 2021 Hi,My brake warning light keeps flashing on (the red light that comes on for the handbrake), mostly when I accelerate off from stationary but flickers generally when I accelerate, never under deceleration or turning.The brake fluid seems okay (just above MIN). I cannot easily see the brake pads but potentially they might need replacing, is there an easy way to see how much is left?I will call Caterham (again) on Monday but wondered if anyone had any suggestion (I have searched the forum but the general consensus seems to be either brake fluid or an earth problem). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR400D Posted September 19, 2021 Share Posted September 19, 2021 Brake fluid sounds most likely. Easy enough to top up to maximum and check. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillip Meyer Posted September 19, 2021 Author Share Posted September 19, 2021 I will buy some and try, I can see 'MIN' on the little header tank but not 'MAX'. Am I missing it or just fill to the top? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted September 19, 2021 Share Posted September 19, 2021 On my (older) car it is the plastic rim round the tank. Don't fill to brim or it will leak ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benton Posted September 19, 2021 Share Posted September 19, 2021 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldAndrewE Posted September 19, 2021 Share Posted September 19, 2021 As the consensus on here it looks like things are working as they should and warning you that the fluid level is getting low. If it were the pad wear it would come on under braking (assuming there are wear indicators wired up). Worth checking the pads anyway because if they are almost at the point of needing replacement the fluid level will rise when the pistons are pushed back. If you have already filled to the max then you could get some spillage or need to remove fluid.Also worth investigating the reason for fluid level drop. If it is down to pad wear (front and rear) then OK but make sure there are no small leaks on unions etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillip Meyer Posted September 19, 2021 Author Share Posted September 19, 2021 I possibly should have mentioned that this started happening on my way home from a track day at Brands Hatch. So it could Be wear or perhaps a reduction in fluid from heavy use at the track day? They did fill the brake fluid when I got the car in June (i know because they spilled a little), seems quick to need topping up.There are definitely no leaks while the car is standing, it's in a barn when not in use, any leak would be really noticeable.My reservoir doesn't look like the one in the image above, the minimum level is the little ridge all around but I will top off laterIs there an easy way to see the break pads, I can't seem to easily see them at any angle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted September 19, 2021 Share Posted September 19, 2021 Take the wheels off !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldAndrewE Posted September 19, 2021 Share Posted September 19, 2021 Not familiar with the 620 but I guess you have to take the wheels off Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR400D Posted September 19, 2021 Share Posted September 19, 2021 Couple of things. When filled fairly full those things will leak on track. I found this in my very first track day and since then have wrapped a piece of kitchen roll around the cap, secured with a cable tie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR400D Posted September 19, 2021 Share Posted September 19, 2021 The other thing is you don't want brake fluid on your paint, or you won't have any. Paint that is!This is where mine's filled to: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR400D Posted September 19, 2021 Share Posted September 19, 2021 Apologies for the pics on their side, they're not in my library but........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drumster Posted September 19, 2021 Share Posted September 19, 2021 When sprinting I found the 'normal' cap leaks so I replace it with the race cap which has solved the problem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benton Posted September 19, 2021 Share Posted September 19, 2021 I had to turn the pictures around, I was paranoid about the fluid leaking out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR400D Posted September 19, 2021 Share Posted September 19, 2021 *clap* ....but somehow you've reversed them too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benton Posted September 19, 2021 Share Posted September 19, 2021 I suppose if you're doing a job ...... M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR400D Posted September 19, 2021 Share Posted September 19, 2021 That's it!!! Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel B Posted September 19, 2021 Share Posted September 19, 2021 I had the same problem with the brake warning light flickering under acceleration on my 420R. Topping the fluid right up to the 'maximum' line stopped it & I haven't had a problem since.The brake fluid reservoir was leaking slightly when I first bought the car. I initially used Peter's kitchen roll & cable tie approach, but ruminating further on the problem, I realised that the plastic cap was bottoming out before the rubber sealing ring was sufficiently compressed. I added a second rubber sealing ring underneath the cap & it's been leak-free for the last couple of years, even on track. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillip Meyer Posted September 19, 2021 Author Share Posted September 19, 2021 Ah, mine is definitely lower than that. Yours is almost full whereas mine is just above 'min'. I will fill up next week, ran out of time today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GulfSeven Posted September 19, 2021 Share Posted September 19, 2021 It's just the fluid/float moving under acceleration, even when it's on max.My 310R has done it from new, so I've just fitted the race cap. Problem solved. No more flickering and no more seeping out on track https://caterhamparts.co.uk/master-cylinder/914-brake-master-cylinder-cap-race-no-float-switch.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrp Posted September 19, 2021 Share Posted September 19, 2021 #20 had it on both Sevens as GulfSeven says Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR400D Posted September 19, 2021 Share Posted September 19, 2021 Mine has never done it, (not that I've noticed anyway!) never considered that I needed to get rid of the level sensor, which I'd rather not. This is the first I've heard of it to be honest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillip Meyer Posted September 19, 2021 Author Share Posted September 19, 2021 Ordered - Thanks all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrightpayne Posted September 19, 2021 Share Posted September 19, 2021 And hopefully not being professor of the bleeding (no pun intended) obvious, when you fit new pads and have to squeeze the pistons in, remove some fluid in the reservoir first with a syringe, to stop it overflowing and spewing over the bulkhead! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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