Classic Overheat dashboard light comes on with hand brake

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Gurmot

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35
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Somerset
This is a new one - driving yesterday and I noticed that the coolant overheat light on the dashboard is now coming on when the hand brake is applied. This is the light adjacent to the hand brake warning light on the dash cluster, and both now come on at the same time.

Before I investigate, has anyone had this? I'm guessing a short in the loom or contacts on the dash cluster?
 
No, but on the basis that activation of one circuit causes another one to come on usually indicates a short I think your diagnosis is right..
'Where' is the question!
 
Thanks. Given that the two lights are next to each other I think I will have to start at the instrument cluster.
Oh well, a nice little job for the easter weekend!
 
Yes the cog/gear and exclamation mark, the red light under the hand brake warning light. Are you saying it (the trans temp light) is supposed to be lit every time the hand brake is pulled? I hadn't noticed that before.......
 
Bit of internet searching suggests that it might indeed be normal so you'll have to find something else to do this weekend :)
Mine's a lot earlier than yours & has only come on in heavy use. Owner's handbook for mine shows it out when handbrake on & engine running - which is the case as I've just been & checked the car.
Sorry for the duff info!
 
Well I never. Not sure why I didn’t notice it before, or perhaps the bulb connection is loose and it wasn’t coming on at all before. Well at least I have some spare time this weekend!
Thanks
 
Gurmot said:
Yes the cog/gear and exclamation mark, the red light under the hand brake warning light. Are you saying it (the trans temp light) is supposed to be lit every time the hand brake is pulled? I hadn't noticed that before.......
Click to expand...

I've owned my '87 V8 Classic for nearly ten years & also have never seen the light in question, so now I'm wondering if the bulb is duff. Interestingly though the (genuine LR) drivers handbook only lists the following warning lamps being illuminated when the IGN is switched on : Ignition, Oil pressure, Park brake & Brake fluid pressure (if the handbrake is applied) but this does not illuminate, so I'm assuming that it's function is covered by the Park brake lamp, if there's no pressure drop at the time. Confused? you will be o_O
 
I had a quick look at mine yesterday. Bulb was fine - bit awkward to get out as you can't see what you're doing but a mirror held outside the windscreen got round that problem.
Pulled both wires off the temp switch on the oil cooler & joined them. Ignition on & light came on.
 
Ratae said:
I had a quick look at mine yesterday. Bulb was fine - bit awkward to get out as you can't see what you're doing but a mirror held outside the windscreen got round that problem.
Pulled both wires off the temp switch on the oil cooler & joined them. Ignition on & light came on.
Click to expand...

Could you tell me where the aforementioned temp switch is located & how easy (or otherwise) it is to access?
 
Last edited:
Thanks for that, mine has the horizontal slat grill ('87 model year onwards) which comes off even easier, so I'll check to see if the switch is in the same locality.
 
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