Handbrake Light Flashing And Beeping When Switching Off Car

[arsenal401]

Hi all,

Not used my Altea FR for a few weeks (i.e it's been sitting on drive with the snow etc), just started it up tonight and noticed that when i turned on the ignition the handbrake and oil light were both flashing (no beeping at this point).

When i start the car up the lights stop flashing...in fact the oil light stops flashing after around 6 seconds of the car ignition being turned on.

When i turn the car off the handbrake light flashes and there are 3 beeps. Immediately after the beeps the oil light then flashes and there is another 3 beeps!!

What the heck is going on?

Any ideas will be much appreciated.

I have checked the oil, coolant levels and all ok.

I also tried the scrapping the prongs in the coolant bottle theory too with no joy.

Admittedly the car has not been driven for a while and we have had some extreme weather, could any of them factors be causing this problem as the car was perfect before

 

[klawit]

Sounds more like an issue with the brake system ....

Brake system / handbrake

The warning lamp lights up if the handbrake is applied, if the brake fluid level falls too low or if there is a fault in the brake
system.
This warning lamp lights up if
* If the handbrake is on
* If you drive faster than 6 km/h with the handbrake on, the following message will appear in the combi-instrument display: HANDBRAKE ON. Also, an audible warning is given.
* If the brake fluid level is too low
The following text is displayed in the instrument panel display:STOP
BRAKE FLUID INSTRUCTIONS MANUAL.
* If there is a fault in the brake system
The following text is displayed in the instrument panel display: BRAKE
FAULT INSTRUCTIONS MANUAL.

This warning lamp can light up together with the anti-lock brake system
warning lamp.

WARNING
* Before opening the bonnet, read and observe the warnings on => page 208.
* If the brake warning lamp does not go out, or if it lights up when driving, the brake fluid level => page 221, "Brake fluid" in the reservoir is too low. Risk of accident. Stop the vehicle and do not drive on. Obtain technical
assistance.
* If the brake warning lamp lights up together with the ABS warning lamp, the control function of the ABS could be out of action. This could cause the rear wheels to lock quickly when you brake. This could cause the rear to break away. Risk of skidding. Stop the vehicle and seek technical assistance..

Sure, the other warning light is/was oil and not ABS?

 

[arsenal401]

the other light is definatley the oil can light, and as i say it comes up after the beeping for the handbrake icon has finished.

Ill check the brake fluid tomorrow, but i am thtinking that if it was low the light would be on all the time and not when i turn the car off?

 

[klawit]

Not used my Altea FR for a few weeks (i.e it's been sitting on drive with the snow etc), just started it up tonight and noticed that when i turned on the ignition the handbrake and oil light were both flashing (no beeping at this point).
....
Admittedly the car has not been driven for a while and we have had some extreme weather, could any of them factors be causing this problem as the car was perfect before

Did you do any driving after starting your Altea up? i.e. did the car really heat up?
... as I've read about several unusual electric malfunctions combined with icy temperatures.

Depending on probably resulting damage by driving araound:
Any chance to have the car defrosted in a (heated) garage?
Anyone with a mobile diagnose tester in your area who could just plug in and check for recorded errors?

 

[arsenal401]

Did you do any driving after starting your Altea up? i.e. did the car really heat up?
... as I've read about several unusual electric malfunctions combined with icy temperatures.

Depending on probably resulting damage by driving araound:
Any chance to have the car defrosted in a (heated) garage?
Anyone with a mobile diagnose tester in your area who could just plug in and check for recorded errors?

No, I did not drive the car....i just started it up and let if run for 2 or 3 minutes.

I should maybe give the car a good drive.

Just seems strange that the beeping and flashing of icons only happens when i switch the car off and not when it's running.

 

[arsenal401]

So i took the car out for a half hour drive and no difference when i turned the car off.

The lights or beeping never materialised whilst i was on the road, it was only when turning the car off.

I checked the brake fluid level and that seems fine.

Any further help appreciated.

 

[arsenal401]

could this problem be down to a partially frozen sensor or something?