The brake lights work as an indicator associated with the safety issues of a vehicle. If this warning light illuminates irregularly, this could be an alarming issue for any vehicle owner. If you’re experiencing this issue and have no idea why the brake lights are flashing, you’ll get some useful insights from this article.
Basically, low brake fluid levels and electric malfunction of the overall brake system are the most common reasons behind it. To find out the actual reasons, you have to inspect the overall brake system more closely.
This article can be a complete guide for you to find the possible reasons for the irregular flashing of the brake lights. Besides, some efficient techniques are also mentioned here to fix these brake light issues.
Why The Brake Lights are Flashing
Those who are not familiar with the dashboard lights might think of turning OFF the lights by disconnecting the wires. But this can be very dangerous as these lights indicate the failure of several vehicle parts and systems.
If you are unaware of the reasons for your vehicle’s brake lights flashing, we are here to help you out. The actual reasons are discussed below so that you can identify them shortly and take measures accordingly.
Brake Fluid Being Under The Optimum Level
Basically, brake fluids are used in the hydraulic brakes of different vehicles. As this hydraulic fluid is not so compressible, it can convert the force of the brake into pressure. This conversion process helps to amplify the force applied to the break.
If the brake fluid is either dirty or falling under the optimum level, the brake will not work well even if you apply enough force.
As a result, your vehicle will identify this situation as a partial brake failure, and the brake lights will flash continuously. But you can check the color of the brake lights and identify whether the brake fluid is low or not.
If the yellow brake light blinks, the fluid level might be a bit lower than the optimum level, so you should be careful about changing it. But the red brake lights indicate serious danger to your vehicle.
Thinner Brake Pads
Every vehicle maintains certain measurements regarding the thickness of the brake pads because the thickness affects the force on the brake discs that maintain the entire braking system of a vehicle.
When you apply a certain amount of force on the brake pads, a small amount of that converts into a system loss. So, the brake discs are not getting the same amount of force that you are applying on the brake pads.
If the brake pads become thinner or wear out at some parts, the applied force is imbalanced. It affects the braking system, and the brake lights indicate it as a warning for the vehicle.
Besides, the brake plates might get into contact with the brake discs due to thinner brake pads. This can also be a reason why the brake lights blink irregularly.
Issues with The Parking Brake
Each vehicle has different instructions about activating and releasing the parking brake. The manual of your vehicle might help you to check whether the brake lights turn yellow or red in case the parking brake is activated.
Generally, the brake lights turn ON when the parking brake of a vehicle is engaged. Actually, it indicates that you should not continue driving while activating the parking brake. Because driving in such a situation can result in the failure of the entire transmission system.
If you are unable to release the parking brake, you should seek help from a professional immediately. Otherwise, it can seriously damage the braking system and engine rotor.
Died Bulb of The Rear Brake Light
Dimmed out or dead bulb of the rear brake light could be an issue for the unusual flashing of brake lights. The bulb often remains well-off, but a problem occurs with the bulb fuse or socket.
Underneath the dashboard, you will find a plastic panel behind which there remains the brake light fuse. If the fuse is not damaged, the brake light bulb is surely the real culprit.
You can also check the brake light bulb by pressing the brake pedal. Step on the pedal for a couple of seconds and notice if the brake light is blinking or not. If the brake light is not flashing brightly, the rear brake light bulb is damaged for sure.
Electrical Malfunction
Often, the electric circuitry system of a vehicle can be faulted due to several reasons which affect the braking system. Failure of the circuitry system often includes damaged wires, faulted speed sensors, sensitive brakes, and several vehicle engine issues.
If the spark plug wires are worn out or damaged, they can’t establish a proper connection with the vehicle parts. As a result, the brake lights can blink because of the false warning issues.
Besides, the failure of the wheel speed sensors can affect the anti-lock brake system of the vehicle. As a result, the wheels can’t lock up properly, and the brake lights consider that as a warning for the vehicle.
Fixing Brake Light Issues
If your brake lights have been flashing for several days and you still have not taken any actions regarding this, it is high time you should fix the lights and replace them if needed.
For fixing brake light issues, the following tips and tricks might help. If these are not enough and you are still facing problems, seek help from a professional technician.
Changing The Brake Pads
Often, worn-out or damaged brake pads can affect the braking system of a vehicle. When you notice an unusual flashing of the brake lights, the first thing you should do is to change the brake pads.
Replacing Hydraulic Fluid
If the hydraulic fluid of the brake lights is dirty, you should change it as soon as possible. Besides, always notice the fluid level, so it doesn’t get under the optimum level.
Replacing The Brake Light Bulbs
When the brake light bulbs are dimmed out or damaged completely, you should immediately replace the bulbs. Disconnect the lights from the brake system and set up a new one. Now, check if the new bulb is working well or not.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is it safe to drive while keeping the brake lights ON?
If we consider the safety issues while driving a vehicle, it is definitely not safe to drive while keeping the brake lights ON. You should never ignore the blinking of warning lights as it can be really dangerous for both the driver and the vehicle.
- How to replace the brake fluid?
For replacing the brake fluid, open the chamber and add the fluid if the level is low. But in case the fluid is dirty, remove it from the chamber and add clean fluid. Pour it carefully, as too much can damage the fluid sensor.
- How can you reset the brake light of your vehicle?
First, disconnect the cable that is attaching the brake light to the vehicle battery. Now step on the brake pedal to drain the electrical system of your vehicle. It will reset the brake lights of the vehicle. Finally, re-connect the cables with the engine.
Final Words
You should always pay attention to the brake lights of your vehicle to check if they are flashing or not because flashing brake lights are indicators for ensuring vehicle safety.
Hopefully, this article made all your confusion clear about why the brake lights are flashing on your vehicle. If you are unable to detect and fix the issues related to the brake lights, contact a mechanic for a proper inspection.
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