Rust, Hand brakes and rear lights!

There is also a sensor on the steering column that is what usually has issues and tweaking the key sorts

Fantastic reponse! Much appreciated

j999pre wrote: There is also a sensor on the steering column that is what usually has issues and tweaking the sorts it.

what sensors is this the hand brake light is as smoogy said it just a switch and the fluid levels works the same sort of way with a flot either the level sensor earths out or the lever switch earths out and light comes on

Take your column surround off and you will see two writes leading to a little black square sensor. This is the sensor that can cause the handbrake/fluid level warning light to come on as well as faulty handbrake and fluid level sensors. This sensor may be purely for the column to read that the key its there and that a weak barrel return spring its the real cause but it sorted my problem.

Just turning the key back a little also sorted it as did turning the key with a but more of a flick. When I changed the barrel the problem disappeared.

Try it. Start you jimny then turn the key again a fraction towards start and you will get this light on.

Obviously this would have to be done on level ground with the handbrake off. I've just tried it on both mine and the light came on so there its a link to the warning light from or through the ignition.

thats a sort of self check system also if you do that it cuts off the heater blower motor so in turn its not the box thats the problem is the ignition barrel/switch

I've tried the wiggle of the key. The hand brake light is off now (apart from when handbrake engaged)

Even when the key is out and engine off. And I go back to start it stays off so seems to be working fine now.

Thanks for all the help

You guys know your stuff!