When your emergency brake light keeps coming on while you drive, it is about time to give it a second thought. You know this light with a brake symbol on your vehicle’s dashboard.
You may also call it your brake warning light. Its main purpose is to inform you about malfunctions in your brake system. It aims to make your drive safer.
In this article, we see the causes of why does my emergency brake light keep coming on and its solution also.
Topic Summary
- Works of the Emergency Brake Light
- Causes of Why Does My Emergency Brake Light Keep Coming On
- What Should You Do?
- FAQs On Why Does My Emergency Brake Light Keep Coming On
- Why my emergency brake light staying on even the brake is released?
- There be a problem with the brake fluid if emergency brake light is on?
- What I do if my emergency brake light comes on while driving?
- Can a faulty sensor cause the emergency brake light to come on?
- Is it safe to drive with the emergency brake light on?
- Conclusion
Works of the Emergency Brake Light
The emergency brake light – otherwise known as the brake warning light or brake indicator – is a vital safety feature in cars. It normally indicates that the parking brake has been put on.
Other brake problems, such as a low brake fluid level, a hydraulic leak, or a defective wheel cylinder, will also trigger this light and get the driver’s attention.
The light is connected to sensors inside your braking system, which track the status of your braking parts. Whether your sensor detects a problem, the sensor light will be on.
That reminds you to go to the hood and quickly maintain your braking, or you might face a greater danger, such as brake failure. Car users should always maintain their braking by the proposed servicing schedules stated in manuals and pay sufficient attention to warning lights if the car switches on which light status.
Causes of Why Does My Emergency Brake Light Keep Coming On
There are many causes behind the illumination of the emergency brake light, such as the parking brake being engaged (fully or partially), the brake fluid level being low, the ABS (anti-lock braking system) being faulty, the braking system hydraulic components malfunctioning, the brake light switch or sensor failing, or wiring faults.
Preventive and on-time repair and maintenance are the keys to keeping all these problems at bay. Some common causes are listed below.
Engaged Emergency Brake
The simplest explanation for a light to be on is that the emergency brake handle is set; this is easily overlooked, especially if this brake was used recently. Check that the emergency brake lever has been fully released.
Low Brake Fluid
If your braking system is low on brake fluid, this can set the brake warning light. Low brake fluid can hint towards a leak or the normal consumption of fluid specific to your vehicle’s braking system. Check your brake fluid reservoir and add more fluid if you need to — if you notice that the fluid level is dropping more frequently than normal, you should have your braking system inspected for leaks.
Worn Brake Pads
Other causes of the brake warning light being on can also be present, especially faulty brake pads. These can cause the system’s fluid level to drop as the brake pads (the direct contact point of the brake fluid) wear off. Another indication is a squeaking or grinding sound while braking.
Faulty Brake Light Switch
A switch near the brake pedal, known as the brake light switch, can fail. This could be a potential cause of the brake warning light turning on. A professional mechanic can replace a bad brake light switch.
ABS Issues
Contemporary cars utilize an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), and if the ABS malfunctions, the brake warning light is activated. A professional mechanic should resolve ABS-related problems since ABS is quite a complex system that is essential for vehicle safety.
Sensor Issues
Various sensors monitor different elements of the braking system. When a sensor fails, the brake failure warning light might come on. Braking sensor failures are normally diagnosed using specialist equipment and expertise.
Parking Brake Cable Problems
A cable-operated parking brake for your car can trigger the light if the cable inside the transmission is stuck or broken. Simple maintenance can often fix this problem, but a compromised cable will need to be set properly or replaced.
What Should You Do?
If the emergency brake light keeps coming on then you should do the following jobs.
- Check the Emergency Brake: Ensure it’s fully released.
- Inspect Brake Fluid Levels: Top up if low, and check for leaks.
- Listen for Noises: Grinding or squealing sounds indicate worn brake pads.
- Take to a Mechanic: For ABS problems, erratic dashboard sensor fault lights, or if you can’t find the cause by yourself.
FAQs On Why Does My Emergency Brake Light Keep Coming On
Why my emergency brake light staying on even the brake is released?
This problem is usually due to a few simple causes. Of these, the most common is a bad or misadjusted brake light switch. This switch acts to tell it whether you have the emergency brake on. If it’s failing to work right, it might come on no matter what you do. Low brake fluid might also be causing a malfunction of your brakes and can cause the amber light to come on.
There be a problem with the brake fluid if emergency brake light is on?
Yeah, there could be problems. It could be because of low brake fluid. Your car has an electronic braking system that is designed to keep the wheels on while you brake. In order for this to work, your car needs a certain level of brake fluid. If there is not enough fluid, the light could appear. In some cases, it can be caused by a leak, and in other cases, it can be caused by worn-out brake pads that are using more of the fluid.
What I do if my emergency brake light comes on while driving?
If so, you should do what you can to address this immediately. The first thing to check is that your emergency brake is fully disengaged. If that is the case, it would be an easy problem to fix. If the brake fluid level is low, simply top it off to an appropriate level. If the light is still on, there might be either a more significant issue with your brakes or a faulty sensor. It would be a good idea to immediately have a mechanic diagnose the issue.
Can a faulty sensor cause the emergency brake light to come on?
It can. Modern vehicles use sensors to examine the brake system, including the emergency brake. If something is not working correctly with your braking system, for example, the brake fluid level sensor or the parking brake switch sensor, these sensors can trigger your light. If it is a sensor issue, you may need professional tools and expertise to repair it.
Is it safe to drive with the emergency brake light on?
Driving with the emergency brake light on is bad practice. In some cases, it is a quick problem to fix, like making sure the brake is fully disengaged or adding brake fluid to the tank. However, the light for the emergency brake can imply more severe problems.
Driving in this condition without fixing the problem could lead to a brake failure, which could be a disaster for the driver. Solving the problem prior to driving will be a wise consideration
Conclusion
Why Does My Emergency Brake Light Keep Coming On. The emergency brake light acts as a warning system that provides you with the necessary feedback to facilitate your safe driving on the road. Ignoring these warning signs would lead to a disaster that may even involve death.
However, regular maintenance will definitely help people manage the brake effectively. Therefore, the best way to prevent this warning light from being triggered is by performing proper maintenance with the braking system.
If your brake light is on and won’t go off, and particularly if you hear the brake squeal, please have it looked at by a mechanic.