Brake and battery light on are two of the most commonly seen warning lights on a car’s dashboard. So when they both come on at the same time, it can be pretty alarming! Many drivers don’t know what to do in this situation, so they just ignore the warning and hope it goes away. But if your brake and battery light are both on, you should definitely take your car in for service. Here’s why.
Means when both brake and battery light on at the same time?
If the battery light and the brake lights come on simultaneously, there is a high possibility that your alternator is starting to fail. While the battery may still receive a charge, it is probably not being charged at the required voltage of at least 13 volts.
Other possibilities include having an issue with the braking system leading to increased electricity consumption, a loose connection, or a faulty voltage regulator.
Reasons why your brake and battery light on
There are some reasons why your brake and battery light come on and tips to fix them.
1. Alternator failure:
In my experience, it is best to find your nearest auto shop when your case involves your car having problems. Whenever a car has issues, typically there’s a faulty alternator contributing to this matter. However, I have put together a short guide that will assist you to test and assess the problem.
Testing alternator:
While a person who has little knowledge about testing alternators may see it as a challenge, it really will not take much time. Most car alternators will output between 13 and 15.5 volts, depending on the model.
Attempt to follow these steps to find out if your alternator is not working.
- Use a voltmeter to examine your car’s battery terminals
- Keep in mind to clean the battery terminals If you obtain a reading of 12.5 volts, then the alternator is okay.
- Start the engine and check for better readings, ideally over 13 volts.
- Turn on your radio, headlights, and other components you should contain precisely the same readings as before
- A lower reading will indicate your alternator is undercharging the battery
2. Braking system issue:
Since so much of my mechanic career has been spent servicing patrons’ vehicles, I’ve experienced numerous instances in which the alternator or voltage regulator malfunctioned. Later on, I discovered that it was a failed device regulating the voltage of customers in cars and trucks.
If your voltage regulator fails to provide your alternator with enough electrical energy so that your car’s systems work and load is okay, then you might see a light on the instrument panel indicating a problem with your charging system and the brake light suggesting a problem with the braking system.
3. Loose connection:
A loose connection, perhaps in the wiring harness or a connector, may lead to numerous consequences. You may start to see your car’s battery and brake lights come on if there is an intermittent problem with the charging system.
The simplest way to check for a loose connection is to use a voltmeter to test the voltage drop across the connection. If there is a voltage drop, then there is probably a loose connection.
4. Faulty voltage regulator:
A faulty voltage regulator may cause your car’s battery and brake lights to come on. The voltage regulator is responsible for regulating the voltage from the alternator to the battery and other electrical components in your car.
If the voltage regulator is not working properly, it may cause the alternator to overcharge the battery, which can lead to a number of problems.
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What should you do when these warning lights come on?
When you see your car’s battery and brake lights come on, it is important to take action immediately. The first thing you should do is find a safe place to pull over and turn off the engine.
Once you have turned off the engine, you should check the alternator and voltage regulator. If they are working properly, then you may have a loose connection or a faulty voltage regulator.
If you cannot find the source of the problem, then it is best to take your car to a mechanic so they can diagnose and fix the problem.
Can you drive with the brake and battery lights on?
It is not advisable to drive with the brake and battery lights on. If you continue to drive, you may cause further damage to your car’s electrical system.
It is also important to note that if your car’s battery light comes on, it means that your car’s battery is not being charged properly. This can lead to a number of problems, including a dead battery.
If you see your car’s brake light come on, it means that there is a problem with your car’s braking system. This can be dangerous and should be fixed as soon as possible.
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Why Does The Battery Light On?
Failing Or Dead Battery
One of the most common reasons the battery light comes on is because there is a problem with the battery. The battery may be failing or it may be dead.
A failing battery will often show signs of corrosion on the terminals. This can be caused by a number of things, including overcharging or simply age.
A dead battery will often show no signs of corrosion. This is because the battery is not receiving any power from the alternator.
Faulty Alternator
Another common reason the battery light comes on is that there is a problem with the alternator. The alternator is responsible for charging the battery as well as powering the electrical components in your car.
If the alternator is not working properly, it can cause the battery to discharge faster than it can be charged. This can lead to a number of problems, including a dead battery.
Damaged Alternator Belt
The alternator belt is responsible for driving the alternator. If the alternator belt is damaged, it can cause the alternator to stop working. This can lead to a number of problems, including a dead battery.
Corroded Battery Terminal
Battery terminal damage may result in diminished battery performance. This often leads to battery charging errors that can trigger a warning light to alert you.
Broken Battery Cable
A broken battery cable can keep the alternator from charging the battery. This often leads to a battery discharge that can trigger a warning light.
Wiring Issues
Your car’s charging system’s wires may get disconnected or break, which may cause a battery light to illuminate on occasion. Accordingly, if you have any issues with your charging system or electrical circuit, expect a battery light to come on.
Accessory Overload
An accessory overload may cause a battery light to come on. When your car’s accessories (like the radio, headlights, etc.) are turned on, they draw power from the battery.
If there is a problem with the way your car’s accessories are drawing power, it may cause the battery light to come on.
Why Does The Brake Light On?
Low Brake Fluid
One of the most common reasons the brake light comes on is that there is a problem with the brake fluid. If the brake fluid level is low, it can cause the brake light to come on.
This is because the brake fluid is responsible for providing hydraulic pressure to the brakes. If the level is low, it can cause the brakes to not work properly.
Brake Pads Worn Out
Another common reason the brake light comes on is that the brake pads are worn out. The brake pads are responsible for providing friction to the brakes.
If they are worn out, they will not be able to provide enough friction to stop the car properly. This can be dangerous and should be fixed as soon as possible.
Brake Rotors Worn Out
The brake rotors are responsible for providing a surface for the brake pads to grip. If they are worn out, it can cause the brake light to come on.
Brake Calipers Stuck
The brake calipers are responsible for squeezing the brake pads against the rotors. If they are stuck, it can cause the brake light to come on.
Faulty Brake Light Switch
The brake light switch is responsible for turning the brake lights on when the brakes are applied. If it is not working properly, it can cause the brake light to come on.
FAQs Brake And Battery Light On
Can Your Car Battery Affect Your Brakes?
Your car battery can affect your brakes in a number of ways. If the battery is not working properly, it can cause the alternator to stop working. This can lead to a number of problems, including a dead battery. A dead battery can prevent the brake lights from coming on when the brakes are applied.
How Much Does It Cost To Get It Fixed?
The cost to get it fixed will vary depending on the problem. If the problem is a simple one, like a blown fuse, it may only cost a few dollars to hundreds of dollars to fix.
How Long Does It Take To Fix It?
The amount of time it takes to fix will vary depending on the problem. If the problem is a simple one, like a blown fuse, it may only take a few minutes to fix, if the problem is more serious it could take several hours to fix.
Can A Bad Alternator Cause The Brake Light To Come On?
Yes, a bad alternator can cause the brake light to come on. This is because the alternator is responsible for charging the battery. If the alternator is not working properly, it can cause the battery to discharge. This can trigger the brake light to come on.
Final Words
The brake and battery light on a car may come on at the same time for different reasons. The battery light could be on because the alternator isn’t charging the battery, or there might be an electrical problem with the wiring. The brake light might be on if there’s a problem with the hydraulic system or if one of the sensors is malfunctioning.
Answer The Question hope this article was helpful in explaining the possible causes of both your brake and battery light turning on at the same time. If you have any questions or need a hand diagnosing the issue, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We are more than happy to help!
