Red STOP light flashing on my citroen Xsara?

Question

About a month ago the red STOP light on my Xsara started flashing on and off, but after a minute stopped flashing. The car was running fine and I was miles from home so just kept driving. In the last month the STOP light comes on whenever it feels like it, but never when I am on motorways or fast roads when I am doing 80mph or more. The car is still driving fine. The only thing I can think maybe a problem is the handbrake. I was told 3 months ago when my car was being MOT'd, that the handbrake needed some attention very soon. Which is one reason why I am reluctant to take my car in. I don't want to fork out money for the handbrake - I just won't park on a hill. The light by the temperature gage also comes on at the same time, but the water level in the radiator is fine. Whilst it seems to drive fine and this light keeps flashing, I just think I will leave it.

I would really appreciate any advice.

Thanks

Answer 1

Hi - This is Mich again, who asked the original question, but I may appear as a different user name as I cannot answer my own questions.

Well, I took my car into a Citroen garage today to be looked at, regarding the red STOP light which flashed on and off lots. They said there was nothing wrong with the car, there were two small intermittant faults but they did not need any attention as there was nothing defective with the engine or cooling system.

They said that I should ignore the stop light unless it permanently flashes on and off.

They didn't charge me a penny either, so am glad I got it checked out, feel really good about that.

Thanks for all your replies.

Answer 2

Don't leave it. If there is a brake or a stop light coming on then it could mean this - ever car has a master cylinder for brake actuation, and a fallback cylinder that works if something goes wrong with the master cylinder. If your master cylinder has stopped working you car will still work because of the redundancy available. But dont expect the secondary support to work for long - no more than a few weeks .I suggest you get it to a service station as soon as you can and simply start by asking what that flashing light means

Answer 3

The STOP light in the car means just that - STOP.
Do not drive to the next town, find a car park, and stop, but stop as soon as possible and call your breakdown service.

The STOP light will come on for two reasons:
A fault has occurred that means the car is too dangerous to drive (e.g. low brake fluid) or
A fault has occurred that means damage will be caused by driving further (e.g. low oil level or oil pressure, low coolant level, high coolant temperature)

If you continue to drive, you are either causing further damage to the car's mechanicals, or your are driving an unroadworthy car.
The former will cost a lot to repair, the latter will end with a fine, and accident, or both. Neither is at all sensible.

The fact that the light doesn't come on at high speeds, and is accompanied by the water temp light suggests a cooling problem. At high speeds you have good airflow through the radiator, but at low speeds you don't. Cars seldom overheat at speed, but in traffic. It may be as simple as the thermostatic switch for the cooling fan has failed - a simple thing to replace, but costly to ignore, - or perhaps the motor for the cooling fan.

Keep an eye on the temperature gauge. If you see it start to creep up beyond half-way, you can try to cool the engine by putting the cabin heater up to its highest temperature setting, and the heater/ventilation fan on full speed. You may overheat inside the car, but it cools the engine coolant, keeping the engine from overheating.

Answer 4

i take it by stop light you mean the red light that comes on when you apply the handbrake if it is then the switch will be the problem some are mounted in the centre consol below the hand brake others are mounted under the car again at the handbreak lever probably needs cleaning and adjustment not dear to replace

Answer 5

In general, no, you are not allowed to pass or go around. Most modern school buses are equipped with not only red lights, but a retractable stop sign that pops out when the bus is stopped. The reason for this, is that many times children boarding or exiting the bus may be crossing in front of the bus to cross the street. Since the bus is hard to see around, this can be very dangerous and has resulted in many accidents. However, the laws concerning fines and the details of laws on multi-lane or divided highways are established locally.

Answer 6

undo the screws attaching the cover to the stop light and take the bulb out press the contacts to the bulb closer replace the bulb that should sort it.
sorry mitch done it before i saw your next post they say there is a problem but dont sort it try what i have just wrote mate you certainly dont want the car braking when your not applying the brakes sounds daft to tell you that mate.

Answer 7

Firstly, both the lights are linked, ie they ALWAYS come on together, its a citroen thing!!!!. Sounds like your brake fluid may need topped up, due to a psooible minor leak in rear brake cylinder, probably why they said you would need some attention SOON, sounds like soon is NOW????

Answer 8

On my peugeot 306 the red stop light came on and after a couple of minutes it would go off when i was driving. turned out the seal on my head gasket was gone and it cost me 500 quid to get it fixed. i know its not a citreon but its another french car.

Answer 9

first the speed limit is 70 mph max
maybe this is an overheating problem
is the radiator blocked ?
if your h/brake is faulty and you also have this problem
maybe your car should not be on the road
i wonder what else is wrong with the car

Answer 10

brake light you may need brake fluid or pull your brake leaver just alittle bit and push it back for your temp light could be a senser go to your nearest auto zone and have them put it on there meter they can tell you if it is a bad senser they do this free