New MOT items

[Dave3066]

The Lady C's MOT is due soon and I was having a wee look at the new items that have been included in the annual check. This one is interesting

Warning lights

As well as electronic parking brake and electronic stability control warning lights (where fitted) the MOT test will also include checks for the correct function of the following, where fitted;

Headlight main beam warning light
Electronic power steering warning light
Brake fluid level warning light
Tyre pressure monitoring system warning light
Air bag warning light
Seat belt pre-tensioner warning light

The brake fluid level warning light.....do we think most testers will know how to check this for correct function on the P6...since it's the same light as the handbrake light? So if the handbrake is on and the brake fluid reservoir lid is lifted.....

Will testers even realise it has a low fluid level warning light? Then what happens if in removing the lid they break one of the wires and the car won't start?

Dave

ps Mick (happy days) see me later for a translation :wink:

 

[harveyp6]

.....do we think most testers will know how to check this for correct function on the P6...since it's the same light as the handbrake light?

I doubt it, they'll just see if it works when the handbrake is on. As for pulling the wires off the cap, just doing that won't make it fail to start, you need to break one of the pairs of wires apart.

 

[quattro]

Then what happens if in removing the lid they break one of the wires and the car won't start?

I don't think they are allowed to dis-assemble the car in any way, so surely they won't take the lid off.

 

[harveyp6]

Then what happens if in removing the lid they break one of the wires and the car won't start?

I don't think they are allowed to dis-assemble the car in any way, so surely they won't take the lid off.

Not sure about that as doesn't the test now include brake fluid condition or did I dream that? If so the cap has got to come off.

 

[Dave3066]

Then what happens if in removing the lid they break one of the wires and the car won't start?

I don't think they are allowed to dis-assemble the car in any way, so surely they won't take the lid off.

So how do they test the low fluid level warning light functions? The wording says to check for the correct function of.

Dave

 

[rockdemon]

i'm more worried about the rover 820 on this front... Most rovers i've seen from the 90s more than 8 years old have some problem with the SRS light.

Rich

 

[webmaster]

And don't forget all airbags over 10years old should be replaced. Good luck with that one !

ABS is more of a worry on the 820's, the front wheel sensors fail regularly.
SRS is a problem because you need a box to reset it, just make sure you don't disconnect any parts of the system with the keys in the ignition.

As for brake fluid level, they'll probably just test that the light comes on with the handbrake etc.

Harvey I can't find any reference to a brake fluid condition test.

I've also heard that the dashboard illumination is testable, so you must be able to see the gauges in the dark.

As with a lot of this less critical stuff, I bet half the testers won't even bother, or just give it a passing glance. Also most of the systems are so complex they have to rely on the warning light to say that the system is working, as long as the light comes on and off, they're happy.

P.s. That's why I've stuck with my '89 820, no abs, no airbags, no cats, nothing, to coin a phrase... Happy Days !

 

[v8guy]

ps Mick (happy days) see me later for a translation :wink:

As far as I'm aware the M.O.T tester will only need to check that the relevant warning lights all come on with the ignition and go off again once engine is started and that hand brake warning light goes out once let off.

So will affect moderns much more than classics

 

[happy days]

Took a while but managed to understand Dave :wink: My brake light does not come on when using the handbrake , what's that song,....... There may be trouble ahead !!!!!

 

[happy days]

Ahhhhh obviously didn't translate properly Dave Handbrake light only needs to be working for brake fluid level ( which it does) not for handbrake. Will still have to find out why as it used to work

 

[harveyp6]

Ahhhhh obviously didn't translate properly Dave Handbrake light only needs to be working for brake fluid level ( which it does) not for handbrake. Will still have to find out why as it used to work

I think that's not the way it's going to be, especially on the P6 as the brake warning light is the check for the whole system, and all the tester is going to notice is that it doesn't come on with the handbrake. Start by checking there's power in the system, then the pad warning light system, then if that's all OK move on to the handbrake lever switch.

 

[happy days]

How do I check their is power in the warning system ? I did have a new handbrake cable fitted along with new rear pads and it's not worked since on using the handbrake, but does work if brake fluid level drops. Novice on electricals.

 

[webmaster]

Don't forget to check the bulb

 

[happy days]

It lights up with the fluid level so is ok have moved this to another thread on electrics, cant hijack Daves thread any longer

 

[Dave3066]

Ahhhhh obviously didn't translate properly Dave Handbrake light only needs to be working for brake fluid level ( which it does) not for handbrake. Will still have to find out why as it used to work

I think that's not the way it's going to be, especially on the P6 as the brake warning light is the check for the whole system, and all the tester is going to notice is that it doesn't come on with the handbrake. Start by checking there's power in the system, then the pad warning light system, then if that's all OK move on to the handbrake lever switch.

But as a functional check of the system that is flawed. My 3500S has brake pads with no sensor wires so the "brake" light does not come on when the handbrake is applied. However, the "brake" light will come on if the fluid level is low. Think I'll be having a wee word with the tester when I take the Lady C in next week. Her lights all work ok but then she doesn't have brake pad warning sensors.

Handbrake light only needs to be working for brake fluid level ( which it does) not for handbrake. Will still have to find out why as it used to work

As Harvey says, either handbrake switch or one of the pad sensor wires has come adrift. My understanding of the system is that all parts must be working for the "brake" light to come on when the handbrake is applied and the most common reason for no "brake" light with handbrake is the fitting of pads with no sensor wires.

Dave

 

[keynsham1]

The brake warning light system has a continuous live going through a bulb and then to each part of the system. On a NADA car you have front and rear brake pads, two fluid reservoirs and a front/rear balance switch for the dual circuit brakes. The last switch in line is the handbrake switch after which the wire goes to earth.



The live is continuous and the light will come on when any point goes to earth (worn pads, low fluid, etc.). The light should always come on when the handbrake is applied as the handbrake switch completes the circuit. (See diageam above)

I assume all P6's are a variation of this. If there are no rear brake pad sensors, then this part is just missing from the circuit.

(PS I missed out the dual line front/rear balance switch on my diagram, but you get the idea!)

 

[colnerov]

Hi, I think this is the sort of thing that leads TPTB to not apply the MOT to classics.
Because the rules cant cater for classics and moderns, there systems work differently.
It is OK if the tester is older and understands this, but not so much if the tester is a
youngster. How many times have you been asked to sit in and operate the controls
because the lad doesn't know how to?

Colin

 

[testrider]

I didn't realise P6's had a handbrake on light. I've never seen one on EMF, although I don't use the handbrake very often, so does this mean it will automatically fail the MOT?

 

[happy days]

That's what I'm worried about Paul. Mine used to come on with handbrake but not now, it doesn't light up now with low fluid so something need addressing.

 

[Dave3066]

The brake warning light system has a continuous live going through a bulb and then to each part of the system. On a NADA car you have front and rear brake pads, two fluid reservoirs and a front/rear balance switch for the dual circuit brakes. The last switch in line is the handbrake switch after which the wire goes to earth.

I assume all P6's are a variation of this. If there are no rear brake pad sensors, then this part is just missing from the circuit.

Ok

That makes more sense then.

I didn't realise P6's had a handbrake on light. I've never seen one on EMF, although I don't use the handbrake very often, so does this mean it will automatically fail the MOT?

The "brake" light has never come on with the handbrake on Verity and I'd put it down to the pads having no sensor wires. keynsham's diagram obviously blows that out of the water but I do have a spare handbrake switch

Dave