'stop' warning light

[wildcat]

The 'stop' warning light flashed on and off and bleeped today. It didn't stay on, and wasn't accompanied with any other warning message or warning light. Has anyone else had this problem on a 2005 1.5DCI tourer. Also is the timing belt change necessary even though the milage is only 33,000. Thanks for any help.

[morganjake1544]

I'm no mechanic but the first thing I would do is check the oil and coolant levels. Make sure you check the oil using the dipstick rather than trusting the dashboard display.

If oil and water OK I'd get a diagnostic tool / code reader to see if an error code was logged on ECU and take it from there.

Sorry, that's the extent of my mechanical knowledge!

Ref the timing belts: yes, you should change them as they can perish and crack with age as well as mileage and the consequences of a mishap far outweigh the cost of getting them done (by an independent, of course).

I'm sure someone a lot cleverer than me will be along soon to advise further.

[wildcat]

Thanks for that. Funnily enough I checked the oil and coolant levels at the weekend, something I tend to do too infrequently for my own good. I've just read somewhere else on this forum that it could be the brake fluid level, so fluids could be the problem.

Regarding the timing belt, unfortunately I'm in France at the moment and unable to take advantage of my usual friendly, reliable and reasonably priced mechanic, so I have some serious thinking to do.

Thanks again.

[davelowe]

The brake fluid is a good idea. However, don't just top it up. Inspect the brake pads for wear. If they are low, this might account for the low fluid level.

[wildcat]

Light came on once again today (strangely enough at the very same spot it came on yesterday) but this time with the handbrake indicator light. Brake fluid low, so now topping up and checking brakepad wear.
Thanks for help.

[rob_s]

you will eventually end up with it all the time mate with that ear piceing beep constantly! lol

it will look like this on the dash





and yes its becase of low brake fluid! on mine it was because the pads needed doing! soon as the were done it went away and didnt come back