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Handbrake warning when revving engine in neutral

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ihadablackdog
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Handbrake warning when revving engine in neutral

Post by ihadablackdog » Sun May 13, 2018 5:37 pm

So when I rev the engine with the handbrake on, and the car in neutral (or clutch pressed) I get a bong and the handbrake symbol on the dash.

Mines a Nov 2011 20i. Back in 2012 I had a new 2012 model and I don't remember it doing this.

Is this normal and can it be stopped?

(dont rev the b0ll0x off it, just sometimes like to rev it a bit with the roof down when I've reversed onto the drive to hear a bit of exhaust noise!).
2011 E89 sDrive20i

mcbutler
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Handbrake warning when revving engine in neutral

Post by mcbutler » Sun May 13, 2018 5:39 pm

First place I would look is the battery, get it discharge tested, usually free. Odd electrical snags like this are generally related to a dying battery.
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Handbrake warning when revving engine in neutral

Post by Maniac » Sun May 13, 2018 5:43 pm

mcbutler wrote: Sun May 13, 2018 5:39 pm First place I would look is the battery, get it discharge tested, usually free. Odd electrical snags like this are generally related to a dying battery.
^^ this. It’s not normal.

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Nictrix
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Handbrake warning when revving engine in neutral

Post by Nictrix » Sun May 13, 2018 6:12 pm

Is it definately doing it in neutral?
If its only doing it when its in gear with your foot on the clutch it could just be a warning to put it off as it thinks you are trying to pull away.
Not had this myself as I dont rev cars at a standstill.
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Handbrake warning when revving engine in neutral

Post by flybobbie » Mon May 14, 2018 7:30 am

My car does the same, assumed it was normal.
Rev past say 2000 and bong, release brake warning.
Only with foot on clutch.
Last edited by flybobbie on Mon May 14, 2018 9:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Handbrake warning when revving engine in neutral

Post by metal licker » Mon May 14, 2018 7:51 am

Normal both mine did it :)
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mcbutler
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Handbrake warning when revving engine in neutral

Post by mcbutler » Mon May 14, 2018 4:10 pm

No, not normal more like a common fault but not 'normal'.
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ihadablackdog
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Handbrake warning when revving engine in neutral

Post by ihadablackdog » Mon May 14, 2018 8:23 pm

I'll check it tomorrow, and make sure its in neutral without the clutch pressed in.

Everything else electrical works on the car, even start stop, so could it be a battery? I think its more by design, hence asking.

(I don't make a habit of it, and don't go boy-racer about it, and its only at the end of a journey when hot, just I don't remember it from my last cars).
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ihadablackdog
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Handbrake warning when revving engine in neutral

Post by ihadablackdog » Tue May 15, 2018 8:45 pm

Nictrix wrote: Sun May 13, 2018 6:12 pm Is it definately doing it in neutral?
If its only doing it when its in gear with your foot on the clutch it could just be a warning to put it off as it thinks you are trying to pull away.
Not had this myself as I dont rev cars at a standstill.
Spot on! :thumbsup:

So I tested it today, and found that with handbrake on, car in neutral and foot not pressing clutch, I can rev it and there is no bong.

As soon as I push the clutch in (even leaving in neutral) it does the bong when revving, so I suspect you are correct that it is a warning because it thinks you're about to drive off.
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