yesterday when using a round-about i noticed the handbrake warning light came on while i was turning then went off after exited. after a bit of driving around i realised it was only on right turns although not every right turn.
has anyone experienced this and know the problem?

yeah your leaning ot touching the handbrake as you corner

it has a little switch that activates the light, you will see it if you remove the console..

check that out 1st


there is no sensor though as in total failure or warning etc... like your engine light or brake light for example

i don't know if the magnas have it, but i know with some cars, the handbrake light will come on when the brake fluid gets low. and then when it gets low it comes on when you go round corners as the fluid is being forced to the side, away from the sensor.

check you brake fluid just to be sure.

time to take the rear wheels off

and have the handbrake cables and brakes looked at
may be warped discs

i don't know if the magnas have it, but i know with some cars, the handbrake light will come on when the brake fluid gets low. and then when it gets low it comes on when you go round corners as the fluid is being forced to the side, away from the sensor.

check you brake fluid just to be sure.

i think this was the problem but thanks to the other guys for suggestions.
topped up the brake fluid and it seems to have stopped

If the fluid is that low that the light came on I'd say that your pads are pretty close to being stuffed. The reserver is sized in such a way that when the pads are out almost to the end of their life all the fluid will be taken up in the caliper and thus the light comes on. Either that or you have a leak somewhere.

whats with magnas and dodgey hand brakes!?

hmmm brakes seem ok and light didnt stay on. only came on when going a bit faster than normal whilst turning then went out straight away but its due for a service soon so i might mention it to them

the reason it only came on while you were going round the corner is that the fluid was forced to the side, so it wasn't contacting the sensor, so the light came back on. when you straightened up the fluid returned to normal and the light went out.


whats with magnas and dodgey hand brakes!?
was a factory option, a bit like the leaky power steering reseviour on skylines, or noisey power steering pumps on vn commodores.

"Hand brake" light is actually Brake System Warning Lamp.
It illuminates:
1. When the parking brake lever has been applied
2. When the brake fluid level in the reservoir falls to a low level

If it iluminates together with ABS warning lamp it indicates a more serious malfunction in the braking system. Ref. Magna operators manual

The brake fluid level must be between the "Max" and "Min" marks on the reservoir. The fluid level falls slightly with wear of the pads, that is quite normal. If it falls markedly in a short length of time, it indicates leak somewhere in the brake system.
The brake fluid should not be topped up, low level indicates worn brake pads. When replacing pads pistons must be pushed back into the caliper and that will cause level to rise back to "Max" mark.
Brake fluid is hygroscopic therefore need to be replaced every two years or earlier.

In your case if there is no leaks, check the brake pads (min. thickness is 1mm). Topping up the fluid will only make your light stay off when cornering, but it will not improve your car's stopping distance if your pads are worn.
If pads need to be replaced you will have to remove certain amount of the brake fluid from the reservoir to avoid spillage.