Each vehicle’s brakes are its most crucial safety element, but brake lights may be as important. Your brake lights will alert the vehicles behind you, allowing them to respond as necessary. Nonetheless, flashing brake lights might be dangerous.
The most frequent reason for brake light flashing is an electrical wiring issue. A malfunctioning brake light switch positioned behind the gas pedal or a problem with the ABS might be other causes. It will be challenging to resolve the problem on your own. Therefore it is preferable to seek the advice of a qualified auto electrician who can perform the work correctly.
What Is a Brake Light?
A brake light is a bulb located at the rear of your automobile, as the name implies. This lets other drivers know when you are stopped or slowing down.
Although brake lights are typically red, some vehicles have them in other hues. Certain sports vehicles, for instance, feature white brake lights.
When you apply the brakes, the brake light immediately illuminates. Before reaching the lights, it passes via a switch and draws power from the batteries. Switching, wire, and bulbs are the three essential parts of a brake light.
Typical Reasons for Flashing Brake Lights
Knowing how brake lights function today will simplify comprehending the typical reasons why brake lights flash. These are them:
A Faulty Wiring System
The wiring setup of your brake light is its most crucial component. When you use the brakes, electricity travels from the battery to a switch to the lights. Your lights will flash because electricity will not flow as it should if any of these wires are loose, damaged, or frayed.
A Blown Fuse
The fuse aims to safeguard your automobile’s electrical system from harm. If it blows, there is likely an overload in the system someplace, which might result in your lights flashing.
Problems With Anti-lock Brake System
A computer and numerous sensors make up the anti-lock braking system. Together, they keep your brakes under control and keep them from locking up. If one of these parts breaks, your brake light could turn on or blink.
A Faulty Bulb
Your brake light will turn on or flicker if one of your bulbs is not functioning. This happens due to the bulb not receiving the proper amount of electricity. You will often need to change the bulb.
How to Fix Flashing Brake Lights
It is time to understand how to repair flashing brake lights now that you know the typical reasons. Here are some points:
Check the Wiring System
Checking all the connections should be your first step if you believe the wiring system is the cause of the issue. Verify that all of the cables are secure and in excellent shape. Replace any damaged, frayed, or loose as soon as you see them.
Check the fuse
The brake light fuse is located in the fuse box, which may be located in various places depending on the make & model of your vehicle. After you have located it, check whether it is blown.
You must remove your fuse and hold it to a light to see if it has blown. The wire inside is blown if it is scorched or cracked, so you must replace it.
Check the Bulbs
If the wiring system and fuse have been examined and found to be in excellent working order, the issue may be with the bulbs. A voltmeter is the best approach to determine if the bulbs are operational.
This will enable you to determine if the lamps are receiving electricity. If you still need to, you will have to get new ones.
Ways to Avoid Flashing Brake Lights
Here are some suggestions to stop your brake lights from flashing:
Check Your Wiring System Frequently
Regularly inspecting your electrical system is the best approach to stop your brake lights from flashing. You can identify any problems early on and fix them before your brake lights turn on or flicker by doing.
Regularly Check Your Light Bulbs
Regularly checking your bulbs is another technique to stop your brake light from flashing. This will enable you to determine if they are functioning correctly and, if not, to replace them.
Driving A Car Safely
Being cautious when driving is one of the greatest methods to stop your brake light from turning on or flashing. This entails avoiding impediments like potholes and bumps that might harm your car’s electrical system.
Regularly Wash Your Car
Regular car cleaning is another strategy to stop your brake light from turning on or flashing. Doing this will help maintain your car’s electrical system in excellent shape and stop any dirt or other debris from harming it.
FAQs
Can I drive when my brake light is flashing?
Driving is not advised while your brake light is flashing. This can be a sign that your brakes are not working properly. If you must drive, be sure to drive cautiously and gently.
Can I continue to drive when the brake light comes on?
When your brakes are not working properly, the brake light will illuminate. Hence, avoid using it while driving for an extended time. If you must, be sure to move cautiously and gently.
Inconsistent brake lights may be dangerous for other cars and potentially cause accidents. Identifying the root cause of a flashing brake light and addressing it as soon as feasible is critical.
Can you legally use flashing brake lights?
The brake light may flicker when you begin to drive in certain contemporary vehicles before becoming solid after you reach a particular speed. You should be aware that most states forbid this, however. Check your local laws to discover whether this is permitted.
Conclusion
These days, some cars are equipped with blinking brake lights. While not all states permit it, this safety innovation is increasingly popular.
Any wiring faults should be resolved right away since, in most situations, a mechanical issue with your car’s electrical system is what is causing your brake light to flash. Your brake light may be blinking because of a blown a fuse. Your lights may flash if the anti-lock braking system is not functioning properly.
You have a few solutions options, but getting your automobile serviced by a professional is preferable to guarantee that the issue is fixed as quickly as possible.
Remember that a blinking brake light might harm other vehicles and cause accidents. Be careful to rectify this problem as soon as possible if you have it.