Dasboard 530i E34 displays "handbrake on" when it is not

[bbart]

Hello everybody,

Just bought a 1997 E34 BMW 530i and i absolutely love it !

(for those who think the E34-model was discontinued in 1995, in Indonesia, where i live, they have been sold new until their discontinuation in 1997. Starnge as it seems, the new 5 series has been available since 1996, yet the new 530i was not available until 2000. Maybe that's why..)

There is just this thing; Every so often when driving i hear a "bing" warning signal from the dashboard and the message "HANDBRAKE ON" is displayed. Is this one of those electrical faults originating from the LKM?

Also, sometimes when the car is slowing down the automatic transmission seems to hit a bump and a soft "CLUNK" is heard. A BMW mechanic said this was due to low transmission oil...?

Hoping to hear from you all !

Bart:)

[BillionPa]

if the trans fluid hasnt been changed in 50K miles, pick up some Redline D4 and change it fast.

make sure the filter is changed

there is a switch in the handbrake lever somewhere that detects if its on, its probably moved over time, i will check its location tomorrow.

[bbart]

Thanks very much !

[joshua43214]

The switch is at the base of the E-brake lever. remove the center consol and make sure its adjusted properly and that the hand brake is going all the way down and there is not something stoping the lever from traveling allthe way down.

the clunk could be from the driveshaft guibo. when the car downshifts under the right load conditions, the guibo can make a clunk noise as the drive shaft goes from driven load to driving load.

[Jay 535i]

(for those who think the E34-model was discontinued in 1995, in Indonesia, where i live, they have been sold new until their discontinuation in 1997.

Heh, that's cool. In South Africa you can still buy a brand new 1980 Golf. :)