handbrake niggles

[tarragon]

Hi there,
Only got the car yesterday and noticed there is no handbrake warning light coming on.
Does anyone know how to resurrect it? I have read on the internet that people have had trouble with them intermittently flickering and such like and wondered if the previous owner disconnected it in some way? fuse?

Also, I am shocked at how little travel there is on the handbrake and I keep trying to push it down further to release.

Is mine set up wrong or do they all have like 1-2 'clicks' travel? Only drops about an inch on release and I am none too confident because of lack of warning light as well.

Also, I am exceedingly short and find my bottom is too low. It there some way of adjusting the height of the seat or is it a buttock pillow for me?

Thanks guys

[Mike H]

Hi. Does the warning lamp illuminate when the ignition is switched on, or are you saying that the warning lamp doesn’t illuminate at all? The obvious thing is to first check the bulb. Personally I’d check this by removing the screw top from the brake fluid reservoir (being VERY careful not to spill any brake fluid on the paintwork etc), as this will also cause the warning lamp to illuminate (with the ignition on). In the event that the bulb is ok, then this suggests the handbrake warning switch in the centre console being the culprit. They generally tend to cause the lamp not to go off or flicker when going over bumps. Lifting the handbrake gaiter will reveal the switch which may need adjusting/replacing.

However, the fact that you mention little travel on the handbrake and keep trying to push it down might also suggest that the rear callipers have seized – not an unknown fault on these cars! The three cars I have owned have all had only one or two click travel on the handbrake, but releasing the lever has also felt to be releasing the cable and brakes. Does the handbrake hold the car and are the rear wheels free when released? If yes, then more of an indication of a switch or bulb issue

As far as seating is concerned, most people have an issue with the driving position being too high – to the extent that seat lowering kits were all the rage at one time. It sounds as if your car might have had the lowering kit fitted, or that the seat has just collapsed. Is the passenger seat the same for you and/or have you had the same issue sitting in another F/TF?

[tarragon]

Hi
Well if I let the handbrake off then the car will roll downhill in N. And stop when applied. I will check other later. I suspect switch.
Seat is in vgC and passenger side also low. I am used to high 4x4 though. I feel as low as in my old lotus 7 and much lower than my Celica (which I needed a cushion for).
Is there any way to find if seats have been lowered?
Sorry for typos. Tapping this on phone.