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Have you ever faced this “Brake Lamp Bulb Fault” error message? If yes, then do not worry!
You are not the only one who has faced this problem.
The “Brake Lamp Bulb Fault” message is shown when the brake lamps have failed or are flickering.
It will be triggered by a combination of problems which we’ll break down in this brief guide. So, let’s dig in.
What Does Brake Lamp Bulb Fault Mean?
A “brake lamp bulb fault” refers to any issue arising in the braking system, resulting in the vehicle’s rear lights going out.
When this happens, a warning light will appear on the dashboard. It indicates a problem with the braking system.
If you see this lamp illuminated while driving, find a safe place to park your car and check the vehicle. You might notice that the engine has shut off or failed brakes.
In short, the brake light switch is a safety feature that notifies the driver of an automobile that there may be an issue with the vehicle’s braking system.
Brake Lamp Bulb Fault Causes and Solutions
Here, we’ll discuss the top reasons why the problem occurs in brake lamp bulbs.
I will also share the solutions to tackle all these issues.
Faulty Bulb
When the rear light bulbs of your vehicle get old, they will tend to blow or get dim.
The rear brake lights will not illuminate any time the bulbs pass their useful life, and the rear brake lights will not illuminate.
As a warning of this condition, your dashboard’s warning light will blink rapidly.
The dashboard’s warning light—which has been placed in its position for your safety—helps you know about this situation so that you can take action to remedy it before an unexpected rear collision occurs.
Ways To Fix It
We can’t repair a blown bulb, but we can replace it with a new one.
Let us show you how we can fix it in five simple steps.
- Unbolt the case of defective light and plug out the bulb
- Look at the bulb filament carefully
- If it’s smoky or dark brown, then it is blown away
- Plugin the new bulb in its socket
- Relocate the light cover, and we’re done
Bad Brake Switch
The rear lights on our cars come on automatically when we press the brake pedal.
A switch (called a brake light switch) is located near the brake pedal that senses the pressure of our foot and turns the rear lights on.
When this switch isn’t working correctly, our ABS (the anti-lock braking system warning light) will turn on.
When this happens, you won’t see your rear lights come on when you press the brake pedal. It means that any drivers following you won’t see that you’re slowing down.
They won’t slow down themselves and might crash into you from behind.
Ways To Fix It
A driver can replace the faulty brake switch if he is an expert. Otherwise, we won’t suggest anyone fix it if they don’t have the basic knowledge.
Because it’s the critical part of the braking system, any mistake can cause a severe hazard while setting it.
We should get it fixed by the mechanic.
Blown Fuse
The Next cause behind your “Brake Lamp Bulb Fault” message can be a blown or faulty fuse.
Fuse control the brake lamp bulbs in our cars. If there is no issue with the switch and brake bulb, the fuse is possibly not working.
A faulty fuse can cause the lights to fluctuate. The fuses are present in the main fuse box of the car.
The stop lamp fuse is responsible for operating the brake lamp bulbs. It’s present in the left panel with the car’s front seat. This fuse is connected with the brake pedal to illuminate rear lights when we push the pedal.
A faulty fuse shows that its visible wire has changed the color to brown or might get separated into two parts.
Ways To Fix It
A repaired fuse can’t last long; we should always prefer to replace the burnt fuse with a new one. The new fuse doesn’t cost much, and it’s easy to replace.
- Switch off the car engine to prevent electric shock.
- Locate the fuse box.
- Find out the burnt fuse.
- Replace it with the new fuse.
- Check that the problem is no more.
Consult a car mechanic if the replaced fuse doesn’t solve the problem.
Wiring Problems
Wiring problems can be another reason behind the “Brake Lamp Bulb Fault” message. A wire connects the fuse and the brake lamp with the brake pedal.
Therefore, a loose or burnt wire can disturb electricity flow, and the lights don’t come on.
If the fuse, bulb, and brake switch aren’t faulty, there might be a wiring problem in the car’s braking system. A short circuit in the wiring can also create this difficulty.
Ways To Fix It
There Are three ways to fix a faulty wire.
- Replace it or set the old one (if not critically destroyed)
- Tape it if the plastic covering is removed and metallic cables are visible
- Tighten the wires if their connection is loose
Low Brake Fluid Level In Master Cylinder
Master cylinder is present in the hydraulic system of vehicles. It has a fluid that makes the braking system possible.
It is also known as the master brake cylinder.
When we press the brake pedal, it pushes the fluid to the hydraulic system to create pressure and stops the car. If its fluid is low, it can’t perform its function effectively.
Low brake fluid won’t cooperate with the braking pedal, and ultimately the brake bulb won’t illuminate.
A leakage in the master cylinder can reduce its fluid level. It may also decrease after a specific time in old modeled vehicles because their brake pads wear out after use.
The worn pads drop the liquid level and cause problems in the braking system.
Ways To Fix It
We can fix this problem by refilling the brake fluid to the required point. Furthermore, we should also consider changing the braking pad if it is exhausted.
Faulty Relay Or Module
A brake relay or module is an automated part of the braking system. When pushing the brake pedal, it informs the computerized braking system to stop the car.
It also sends signals to brake lamp bulbs and lights them up.
The faulty brake relay doesn’t operate the rear brake lights properly and might cause brake failure. Such faults can turn off cars’ engines, having a push start feature.
This issue can also activate the ABS warning light on the dash to blink.
Ways To Fix It
We need a multimeter to check whether the brake relay is working or not. It isn’t very costly.
Therefore, we can replace the old one if it’s irreparable.
We can replace it ourselves if we have the required knowledge and instruments. Otherwise, we should get it done by an expert.
The Takeaway
The brake lamp bulb is a warning that helps you alert other vehicles if you’re braking or decelerating suddenly.
It’s mainly used at night when visibility is worse. The bulb also helps drivers behind you be more cautious.
When the brake lamps aren’t working correctly, the message “Brake lamp bulb fault” may appear on your dashboard display.
The warning message will also display a problem with the wiring or with the brake lamp switch. If you have a bulb failure, replace the faulty bulb as soon as possible.
Patrick started his love affair with cars in his childhood. Over the years, he claims a sturdy hold on his driving skills, along with a thorough understanding of cars. We can expect some interesting, holistic, and pleasurable blogs with his flair for writing and his love for cars.
Being a car enthusiast, Patrick has experience comprising of two decades in which he has ridden some of the meanest and strongest machines in the automotive industry. His previous avatars include an automotive professional, photographer, and journalist, and you will certainly experience the roundness of experience in his piece on this site.
In his second decade of reviewing cars and analyzing tools, Patrick is all set to give you convincing, reliable, and the latest information regarding what’s happening in the automotive industry. Currently, he owns a BMW Z3 but cannot get his eyes off Aston Martin DB5. He is a car enthusiast; he loves cooking and listening to music, especially jazz. Here are some of the pieces written by our ace author.
