While driving in my car earlier this week, I noticed that the check engine light was on in my dashboard. Concerned about this issue and wanting to find out what was causing it, I assumed that it might be my brakes. So, I did some reading online in order to find out if brakes can actually cause a check engine light to come on, since the two don’t seem to be very closely related.
Can brakes cause a check engine light? The brakes in a car do have the potential to cause the check engine light to switch on. This is due to a failing brake system, which can be caused by a variety of factors, from low levels of brake fluid to worn down brake pads and even incorrect use of the vehicle as a whole.
For anyone who drives and owns a car, the stress that comes with one of the repair lights flickering on in the dashboard is something that we can all relate to. This is especially true when you have no idea what is going on, but you just know what you will need to fix it at one point or another.
If you had the similar issue of not knowing what was causing your check engine light to come on, just like I did, the information in this article will give you all of the answers to your questions. Keep reading to find out whether or not brakes can cause a check engine light in your car.
Can Brakes Cause a Check Engine Light?
When the topic of the check engine light comes up, most people would not think to connect this effect with the cause of any braking system issues. Since the two topics are seemingly unrelated, it can be easy to overlook this as a possibility.
However, contrary to popular belief, it is very possible to have a check engine light warning flashing at you due to a problem with your brakes.
In this section, we will go over a brief explanation of how the brakes in your car can cause the check engine light to come on, including some of the major issues that contribute to this effect.
How Brakes Cause a Check Engine Light:
- Failing brake systems cause a red flag
- Can be due to low brake fluid levels, unevenly worn brake pads
- Heavy lifting on vehicle causing wear and tear on brakes
As previously mentioned, a failing brake system can cause a red flag in the system of your vehicle, prompting the check engine signal to light up.
The reasoning for this can vary from poor maintenance to incorrect use of the vehicle. To be more specific, low brake fluid levels are one of the main causes of brake failure in this aspect.
If you do not regularly keep up with the brake fluid in your vehicle, you are putting yourself at a higher risk for brake problems in the future. Additionally, unevenly worn brake pads can be another cause of the check engine light turning on.
Improper maintenance and care when it comes to the brake pads, which are a vital component in any braking system, will obviously be connected to the failure of the entire thing.
Finally, if you are doing any kind of heavy lifting with your vehicle that is exceeding the maximum weight limit as indicated by the manufacturer, you can be putting unnecessary wear and tear on your brakes that can turn into a larger issue.
What Else Could Be Causing a Check Engine Light?
Now that we have established that the check engine light can be turned on by brake failure, you might be wondering what else could be the cause of a signal like this, if it is not the brakes.
If you have checked your braking system for all of the above credentials and you have found nothing to be wrong, your check engine light might be illuminated for a completely separate reason.
Take a look at the list below for some ideas that will point you in the right direction.
Other Common Causes Of Check Engine Lights:
- Emissions Control System
- Ignition
- Engine Control Unit (ECU)
The other main causes of check engine light signals are failure in the emissions control system, the ignition, or the engine control unit, also referred to as the ECU.
When it comes to the check engine light, there are so many things that could be wrong in order to prompt the light to turn on. While the items that were listed above are some of the main causes of this issue, there could still be other problems associated with this light.
If you ever find yourself in this situation and you are able to detect the problem quickly, you might be able to solve it yourself with a quick DIY guide. However, if you have not yet found the culprit and you do not have much expertise in fixing automobiles, you should consult a professional immediately.
No matter what the reason is for your check engine signal coming on, you should do what you can to take care of the problem immediately. Regardless of the problem area, it is never safe to drive with such a severe issue going on within your vehicle.
For some tips on what you can do if your check engine light is caused by brake failure, in particular, keep reading to the next section.
What To Do When Your Check Engine Light Comes On
To tie directly back to the main inquiry of brakes causing the check engine light to come on, we will be going over some solutions that you might be able to use in the event that your brakes are failing.
The list below will give you a brief outline of how you can remedy this kind of situation, depending on the cause of your individual brake problem.
What To Do When Your Check Engine Light Comes On (Failing Brakes):
- Refill your brake fluid
- Replace old brake pads with new ones
- Be careful with how you are driving and operating your vehicle and correct any actions that need it
If you have checked your brake fluid levels and they actually do happen to be lower than they should be, you can simply fill the tank back up again to the desired volume. This is one of the most easy fixes for failed brakes, and once you pour the liquid into the designated area, your check engine light should switch back off immediately.
On the contrary, if you are having problems with old or worn down brake pads, you will need to replace them in one way or another.
This can be done with a few tools in your own home and the help of an instructional video, or you can take your car into the shop to get some brand new brake pads that won’t give you any more problems.
In general, it is a good idea to be careful with how you are driving and operating your vehicle in order to avoid exceeding any weight limits and wearing down the brakes. Additionally, you should regularly maintain your vehicle and make sure that nothing needs fixing before your brakes actually fail.
All in all, the check engine light can be an indicator that your brakes are failing, among many other common reasons. If you find yourself in this situation, you can complete all necessary repairs on your own or consult a professional for the best possible results.
