R34 Handbrake light saying ON and intermittently flashing

[RB25inside]

Hello all, 

I need of some help. On my drive home my handbrake light lit up and started flashing. When I got home I checked my handbrake sensor under the centre console and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. I have scanned my car via the consult port, no codes shown. Checked my brake fluid as well which is half full.

Tried unplugging the brake master but it didn't change anything. Thoughts on what it could be? The master float doesn't seem to be stuck.

My car is an 1998 ER34 sedan GT. No hicas but has ABS

Photos below 👇🏾 

[Duncan]

Assuming your brake pads are not worn right down, I'd add a little brake fluid. Is there any sign of a brake fluid leak?

[RB25inside]

Well I recently changed my rear axles and was thinking if I bumped anything, I have been driving the car for a while now though... But it has been raining today so everything is wet under the wheel arches.

Brakes feel fine and can't hear any of the metal screamers, I had a squeak coming from one of the handbrake drums but that seems to have gone away a while ago.

I was going down a hill when it lit up and I did feel the abs bite for a second and question why it did it?

[GTSBoy]

43 minutes ago, RB25inside said:

I have scanned my car via the consult port, no codes shown.

Does the scanner do all the CUs in the car, or only the ECU?

[RB25inside]

On 25/08/2025 at 8:02 PM, GTSBoy said:

Does the scanner do all the CUs in the car, or only the ECU?

Not too sure, I believe the Nissan consult port does everything? Also just filled up the reservoir to full and the light is still on. The float seems to move up and down fine.

[GTSBoy]

3 minutes ago, RB25inside said:

the Nissan consult port does everything?

Well, yes, every CU on the bus is available via the Consult port, but whether the scanner you are using is capable of talking to the TCU, the ABS/TCS modules, etc etc, is what is at question here. Many of them are only for engine codes. So, if you have one of those, you won't know if the ABS is having a bitch.

[RB25inside]

Well, I was using ECUTalk software if that helps? Not sure if that only can see engine codes? Is there any other software I could give a try? Or any way I can get a blink code?

[Duncan]

ECUtalk pages don't mention they support the ABS computer (consult port has more than one CAN), so you might just need a different scan tool. But, I would expect ABS is a different light to the brake warning/handbrake light, do you see an ABS light come on for a few seconds when you turn the key from ACC to IGN?

But since you said:

2 hours ago, RB25inside said:

Well I recently changed my rear axles and was thinking if I bumped anything, I have been driving the car for a while now though... But it has been raining today so everything is wet under the wheel arches.

Brakes feel fine and can't hear any of the metal screamers, I had a squeak coming from one of the handbrake drums but that seems to have gone away a while ago.

I was going down a hill when it lit up and I did feel the abs bite for a second and question why it did it?

I'd have a look at the ABS sensors in the rear hubs to make sure they are not damaged, disconnected etc.

[GTSBoy]

1 hour ago, RB25inside said:

Is there any other software I could give a try?

Probably not. A workshop grade scantool is my go to for proper Consult interrogation. Any workshop grade tool should do it. Just go to a workshop.

[Duncan]

9 hours ago, GTSBoy said:

Probably not. A workshop grade scantool is my go to for proper Consult interrogation. Any workshop grade tool should do it. Just go to a workshop.

Unfortunately the cavaet to that is that while any scan tool should be able to read the code, the workshop will need a consult plug to OBD socket adapter.

You don't have a location on your profile, where are you based?

[Kinkstaah]

13 hours ago, Duncan said:

Assuming your brake pads are not worn right down, I'd add a little brake fluid. Is there any sign of a brake fluid leak?

This. The R34 handbrake icon DOES come up when the brake fluid level is low. You might be sitting right on that threshhold. I have been down this diagnosis path and this was the solution (and it was pretty much as full as your picture is to begin with).