The red brake warning light illuminated on your dashboard is an alarm signal that should never be ignored. While it normally lights up when the parking brake is engaged, its persistence after disengagement often indicates an underlying issue requiring mechanical expertise. It is important to understand the implications of the red brake light.
Why is my brake light staying on?
The red brake light is a crucial indicator for your vehicle’s safety.
Several malfunctions can explain the untimely activation of the red brake light. An accurate diagnosis is essential to identify the root cause.
Parking Brake Problem
A faulty switch at the parking brake lever or pedal can send an incorrect signal to the computer, indicating that the parking brake is still activated, even when it is not.
Low Brake Fluid Level
Brake fluid plays a crucial role in the system. A level that is too low, often due to a leak, immediately activates the warning light. An empty reservoir, as seen on the Toyota 4Runner we repaired, is a critical sign.
ABS System Failure
On modern vehicles, a failure of the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) can cause several warning lights to illuminate simultaneously, including the brake light, as well as the traction control and ABS lights themselves.
Worn Brake Pad Sensors
European vehicles are often equipped with wear sensors integrated into the brake pads. When the friction material becomes critically thin, the sensor triggers the warning light to alert you of the need for replacement.
Electrical Problem
With onboard electronics, a simple issue with the positioning of the electric parking brake motor can be enough to activate the warning.
How is a brake light diagnosis performed?
Our diagnostic process always begins with carefully listening to the symptoms reported by the customer. Our certified technicians then follow a rigorous methodology.
The initial checks always focus on the most common causes: the proper physical disengagement of the parking brake and the brake fluid level. Reading the error codes using a diagnostic scanner is then performed to obtain valuable clues from the vehicle’s computers.
If the fluid level is low, we search for a potential leak, either external (at a brake line, hose, or caliper) or internal (at the master cylinder, where fluid leaks into the brake booster and is burned by the engine without any visible sign).
Resolving Braking Problems
An illuminated warning light is sometimes accompanied by other symptoms: a spongy or hard brake pedal, increased braking distance, pulsations in the steering wheel or pedal, or grinding noises. It is imperative to entrust the investigation to a professional to ensure your safety and that of other road users. Remember that the red brake light is a vital indicator of your vehicle’s condition.