In modern cars, this is usually anything more than 6 to 8 clicks. Let's dive right into it. These wires are connected to your fuses, switches, and brake bulbs. Any time a dash warning light comes on in your vehicle is anxiety-inducing. What Causes A Ford Focus Brake Lamp Bulb Fault. A brake pedal that is soft and can be applied all the way to the floor usually means the brake fluid is ineffective and needs replacing but there can be several other potential reasons such as a master cylinder fault. Regular brake checks are an important part of any vehicle preventative maintenance plan. When there are issues with your wiring, this limits the flow of electricity and prevents your brake lights from turning on each time you step on your brake pedal. We have over 600 brake specialists nationwide who are fully trained and committed to maintaining your brakes in an expert and cost effective manner. Your Brake Check At Kwik Fit. My brake light came on when I was driving, what should I do? Car brake light problems don't have to be head-scratchers.
If your lights don't illuminate on either side and your brake light switch is good, then the next thing to check is the brake light fuse. You can find your fuses inside your fuse box, right under your hood or below the steering wheel. This is why you may be noticing an issue with a Ford Focus brake lamp bulb fault.
A car's braking system has sensors monitoring fluid level, E -brake position, and in some cases brake pad life. Replacing one brake disc or drum could cause an imbalanced braking performance that could lead to further premature wear. Your brake lights only turn on when you press on the brake pedal. Please enter your vehicle registration below and click 'Search'. If this only occurs when you apply the brakes firmly, it could just be the ABS kicking in but you should have this checked out if you are concerned or it happens regularly.
Low brake fluid indicates a leak in the system, which can impact the effectiveness of the brakes. These collect the command sent to them, which makes braking effective and safe. Find out why the brake lamp bulb may be malfunctioning and what you can do about it. Analog switches wear out over time, and they can get dirty, too, which interferes with their ability to make positive contact and transmit the right signal. As a result, you receive a warning notification that your brake lights are not working. If all three car brake lights are out at the same time, it's unlikely that the trio of bulbs died simultaneously. We discuss these reasons further below. It is often recommended that brake pads should be replaced if the pad friction material has worn down to a thickness of 3 millimetres. This will likely damage the brake disc also. Either way, you should get this checked out. There are certain issues that crop up over and over again when diagnosing why a vehicle's brake lights are not working, which makes it that much easier to figure out what's wrong with your brakes when you tap the pedal.
With this in mind, it is best to have the problem rectified sooner than later, so you can have peace of mind and safety when on the road. Brake checks can identify a problem before it begins to impact on your braking efficiency, thus providing an opportunity to restore the effectiveness of your vehicle's braking system to its intended operating performance. Grinding - when the friction material on brake pads are heavily worn, this can result in a grinding noise as the brake pad has worn down to the metal caliper. Dashboard Light - if a brake warning light appears on your instrument panel either continuously or when you apply the brakes it usually means the brake fluid level is critically low. Think of how much time you spend with your foot on the brake, and then consider that the brake light bulbs have to be illuminated during that entire period. Book your Brake Check Appointment at Kwik Fit. But overall, we do not recommend driving your vehicle with a broken lamp bulb.
For safety's sake, it's important to have your vehicle inspected as quickly as possible when you notice any of the above symptoms. This is one of the most common causes of a brake lamp bulb fault among Ford vehicles. When to replace your brakes. Modern vehicles now come with more advanced features including the brake light. 0 TDCi Titanium Auto Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options... If you are concerned about the performance of your brakes or would like them checked before going on a long journey please book an appointment in your local centre and our expert brake technicians will complete a free, no-obligation brake inspection. The switch signals your brake light bulbs, so these will turn on the moment the brake pedal is stepped on. Brake light problems can include a socket whose connections are dirty or corroded or one whose wiring has become worn to the point where it's only making an intermittent connection. Please note: we are currently unable to carry out brake checks on hybrid/electric vehicles. This is quite dangerous to do considering the hazard that comes with not being able to warn the driver behind you when you are braking. Bad Brake Light Switch. Some modern vehicles will beep if you are driving with the emergency brake engaged. The first and easiest thing to check is your emergency brake. Perhaps, it does not light up even if you step on the brake pedal.
The light can come on for reasons ranging from benign to dangerous. You may also want to check your braking system before a long journey or in advance of your MOT - your vehicle will fail its annual MOT test if your braking system does not meet required standards to allow your vehicle to come to an efficient stop. Another issue with the brake lamp bulb is a problem with your brake relays or modules. For instance, if your brake lamp bulb fault is due to a broken bulb, then you will have to change or replace it. Then, be sure to clean your connectors and make any loose connections tighter. As for a defect to your brake switch, this means replacing it with a new one. Brake fluid should be change approximately every two years but check your manufacturers handbook. Of course the experts at your local NAPA Auto Care are always ready to solve your brake light problems for those who prefer a hands-off solution. The most important thing is to determine if the fuse is really the problem. This is why it fails to light up and will need to be replaced for it to work again. Any advice would be much appreciated! The braking system amplifies the force of your foot on the pedal with a system of lines filled with hydraulic brake fluid. For instance, it could be due to bad brake switches, faulty relays or modules, or defects to your light bulbs.