What is the reason for the continuous flashing of the handbrake light?
2 Answers
The reasons for the continuous flashing of the handbrake light are: 1. The handbrake is pulled up or the handbrake switch has poor contact, causing the light to flash. If the handbrake is pulled up, the handbrake light will keep flashing; release the handbrake to resolve this. If the handbrake switch has poor contact, the switch needs to be repaired. 2. Poor contact in the handbrake light's power wire or a broken wire harness requires repairing the handbrake light's power wire. Precautions for the handbrake light: 1. Engage the handbrake when parking on a slope for an extended period. 2. Do not pull the handbrake while driving at high speed. Pulling the handbrake directly during high-speed driving is very dangerous. The handbrake typically acts on the rear wheels; pulling it directly can cause the rear wheels to lock, leading to skidding or even a rollover.
Recently, the handbrake warning light on my old car kept flashing nonstop, which almost gave me a scare. As a veteran driver with over 20 years of experience, I've seen many similar cases—the main causes are usually low brake fluid level or faulty brake system sensors. Over time, brake pad wear can cause fluid levels to drop, triggering the warning light to remind you to check. Some cars may also experience this due to an incompletely released handbrake or electronic control system glitches. I recommend immediately finding a safe spot to pull over and check the brake fluid reservoir under the hood. If it's below the marked line, promptly top it up with standard fluid. Ignoring this could damage the entire braking system, especially during rainy weather or mountain driving. If the issue persists, drive to a professional repair shop to scan for trouble codes—safety comes first. Regular maintenance can also help prevent such incidents.
