Hello all. I'm not new to the site, but I tend to read posts instead of replying. There seems to be good advise all around. Right, here's the problem. My HICAS and hand brake dash lights started coming on a week ago. I went to Halfords today and got some Castrol Dexron III to fill the power steering resevior. (ya my spelling sucks!) In the car park I went to put it in and got slightly distracted by a female wearing a flattering bikini top. Next thing you know, I found myself filling the brake fluid cylinder with Dexron III. :eek: Too late, filled it to the top. I did top up the HICAS/power steering one also. Is it safe to drive my Zed like this until I can sort it out? Both lights don't come on anymore so at least I know what to do in the future.

 

P.S. Before I get called every name in the book, I've been brought up on Zeds. My father still owns a 1979 Datsun 280ZX 2+2. :cool: Just a case of temporary insanity.

It may depend on what fluid you have in the brakes already, but I'd use it as a reason to flush out all the old stuff from there and put nice new in - you should do it every few years anyway.

Hello mate try checking the handbrake cable. Also try checking the handbrake shoes, these are in the rear hub, not the disk, you may only need to adjust these or at worst get new shoes, (these rarely need changing though)

Thanks! I just had SE redo all the brakes including the hand brake. The brake fluid container was on the "MIN" mark or even lower, so I think the hand brake light was letting me know something was wrong. It's not on anymore now that I filled it with Dexron. Actually, since SE just did the brakes, I wonder why it was that low? O well, call up the bank boys cause I'm heading down to essex again. :)

Power steering fluid and brake/clutch fluid should not be mixed. Using the wrong fluid in the wrong circuit can rot the seals - which is not good or really bad depending on which seals you're rotting! Some recent fluid based posts here with some links inside http://www.300zx.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=46635 http://www.300zx.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=46740

Thanks! I just had SE redo all the brakes including the hand brake. The brake fluid container was on the "MIN" mark or even lower, so I think the hand brake light was letting me know something was wrong. It's not on anymore now that I filled it with Dexron. Actually, since SE just did the brakes, I wonder why it was that low? O well, call up the bank boys cause I'm heading down to essex again. :)

 

I'm sure you can change the brake fluid without going to SE, it's not very difficult.