What is the reason for the Accord's brake system fault indicator light being on?
3 Answers
The reason for the Accord's brake system fault indicator light being on is insufficient brake fluid. More information about brake fluid is as follows: 1. Overview: Brake fluid, also known as braking oil or force oil, is an indispensable part of the brake system. In the brake system, it serves as a medium for force transmission. Since liquid cannot be compressed, the pressure output from the master cylinder is directly transmitted to the slave cylinder through the brake fluid. 2. Precautions: Brake fluids cannot be mixed. Various types of brake fluid must never be mixed, otherwise, it may cause stratification and loss of braking function. Maintain cleanliness. When adding or replacing brake fluid, ensure cleanliness. The brake fluid must be filtered, and no fine impurities are allowed to enter the brake system.
Last time I was driving my Accord on the highway, I also encountered the brake light coming on, which scared me into pulling over to check immediately. The most common reason is the brake pads wearing down to a thin layer, triggering the warning when the wear indicator contacts the rotor. It could also be due to the brake fluid level being too low, or the fluid having deteriorated and turned black after several years of use, absorbing moisture and causing insufficient pressure in the hydraulic system. Additionally, check if the brake caliper is leaking oil; if the oil pipe joints are seeping, it can also cause the light to come on. Faulty sensor connector contacts are particularly annoying, as they can occasionally trigger false alarms when exposed to moisture on rainy days. If all else fails, you’ll need to use a diagnostic tool to read the fault codes—it might be an issue with the ABS pump’s circuit board. You should never ignore this warning light; head to the 4S shop for a thorough check to put your mind at ease.
As a seasoned driver who has owned three Accords, I've encountered the brake light issue at least four or five times. The most critical inspection sequence is: First, check the brake fluid reservoir level and top up with DOT4 brake fluid if needed; then crawl under the car to inspect for oil stains on the inner side of the wheels; next, test the brake pedal feel - if the travel becomes longer, there's likely an air leak; finally, check the wheel speed sensor connectors. The newer Accord models are also prone to incomplete electronic parking brake reset issues - if the light stays on when shifted to D gear, you'll need to re-engage the parking brake. Actually, the most reliable method is having technicians clear fault codes with diagnostic tools during routine maintenance - most are false alarms, but I once found the ABS pump connector wires chewed through by rats.
