Your 'flip' switch is obviously not factory fitted. The best way your going to find out what it does is probably to trace out the wiring to it.

Find a new mechanic. Yours is lazy and lously. Mini handbrakes are not 'perculiar' things, many cars use a similar design. The handbrake can be made to work, just all the turning points that the cable run through need pulling apart, thoughly cleaning (especially the sub-frame turn point), lightly greased and reassembled.

Sometimes the cables need to be replaced, not so much because they stretch, but because the wear at the point that that go around the turn in the centre of the rear sub-frame.

Your rear drums may need machining and new shoes. While your there, check the wheel cylinders are not leaking.

The 'handbrake' system in the Mini's was very little changed from the start of production to the end. I dare say that if there was a design flaw, surely in the space of 40 years they would have fixed it.

When in good order, they work as well as any other car.

The switch could be a "hidden" fuel pump cut off switch . It won't stop your mini straight away but leave it off for a minute and it should stop . Check if it has an electric fuel pump under the rear subframe and if the wires go to it .

_________________

If you have an electric fuel pump it could be a kill switch for that..

Makes for a good anti-theft measure in my book. The crook can drive 500m before the car conks out, at which point he abandons it as a piece of crap

_________________
Simon

The adventures of an owner builder in the Tallarook Ranges

If you have a handbrake light coming on incorrectly there must be a handbrake warning switch (another switch) somewhere, presumably next to the handbrake lever. Can you find that one?

And if it is a hidden kill switch we all now know where it is hidden.

The hidden killswitch not a kill switch, nor is it a fuel pump cut off (tested it driving home - lol).

I guess the only way i'll work out what it is, is to follow the wire? didn't really want to pull the carpets up and such, but guess i have to.

It could be a placebo switch, put there specifically to screw with my head.

And after my exam tomorrow i'll pull the seat out and check around for the handbrake switch, to see if i can adjust it so the light doesn't turn on :S