Handbrake Warning light flashing and beeping

[ChrisR1995]

Hi guys, I’m new around here and I’m just looking to see if anyone has had the same problem.

I’ve got a 53 plate Polo and yesterday it started flashing the handbrake sign on the dash and making a beep. It did it only a few times at first but now it’s every time I even slightly turn right or even just at random times.

I’ve checked my brake fluid and it’s fine and the brakes seem okay, I recently changed two ignition coils but that isn’t anything to do with it (I don’t think)

Please help

[RUM4MO]

Have you got into round about the handbrake lever to see if the switch looks okay and its wiring looks okay - or maybe the handbrake lever is not being allowed to reach its proper "off" position?

Edit:- failing that, it might be an issue with the cabling or terminations on the instrument panel, like a cracked solder joint - though that is just a guess as I have not worked out how that circuit works and so what effect a cracked solder joint at the cable connection point would make - start at the handbrake lever area.

[ChrisR1995]

Hi mate, thanks for the reply!

Should I just take the plastic off and have a look around?

It started just when I was turning right but now it’s constant and it’s doing my head in!

Thanks again

[RUM4MO]

We traded our 2002 9N Polo in 2015, so I'm a bit out of touch with how to reach into that area, but taking the centre console off will work.

[ChrisR1995]

Hi mate,

Done all that but had no luck.

I drove for a little bit with the handbrake slightly on just to see if it was a different noise and it is.

The beep I get with the handbrake light flashing is different to the one I get when I leave the handbrake on and drive.

Any other suggestions pal

[CarbonChaos]

So are you sure its the parking brake symbol on the dash ? not the low brake pad warning lamp or low fluid level warning lamp ?

you can post a picture if your unsure

[ChrisR1995]

I’ve also got a video but I don’t think I can attach it here.

[ChrisR1995]

So are you sure its the parking brake symbol on the dash ? not the low brake pad warning lamp or low fluid level warning lamp ?

you can post a picture if your unsure

[CarbonChaos]

Like Rum4mo suggested look at the instrument cluster wiring and connectors next