What's the matter with the brake light malfunction?

[McLondyn]

Brake light malfunction can be caused by: 1. Severe wear of the brake pads. Brake pads come in two types: those with sensor wires and those without. Those with sensor wires will automatically activate the circuit and illuminate the malfunction light when the brake pads wear down to the limit position. 2. Low brake fluid level. 3. Oil leakage in the brake system or false alarms. The brake light is installed at the rear of the vehicle, with its main color being red to enhance the light's penetration, making it easier for vehicles behind to notice when the front vehicle brakes, even in low visibility conditions, thereby helping to prevent rear-end collisions.

[VonEsther]

Yesterday while driving, my friend alerted me that all my brake lights were out, sending a chill down my spine. My old car has 150,000 kilometers on it, and my first thought was the brake light bulb had blown—after all, halogen bulbs only last about 300 to 500 hours. But don’t rush to order a new bulb just yet. First, open the trunk in the dark, unscrew the light cover, and use your phone’s flashlight to check. Sure enough, the filament was broken in two. I also checked the wiring harness connector for any looseness and confirmed the 15-amp fuse in the steering wheel’s fuse box was intact. Honestly, replacing the bulb yourself costs less than 20 yuan, saving you around a hundred compared to a repair shop’s quote. The key takeaway? Don’t delay fixing it—driving at night without brake lights is like being invisible.

[SanAubree]

Last week when I went for a car wash, the attendant told me all my brake lights were out. I headed straight to the auto repair shop that same day. The mechanic tested the circuit with a computer and directly replaced it with a new switch from the parts cabinet. He said my car has run 80,000 kilometers in seven years, and the aging and failure of the metal spring inside the brake switch is a common issue. The symptom is no response when pressing the brake, but no error shows on the dashboard. Actually, bulb failure is more likely, especially for those who frequently brake during city commutes. If you switch to LED brake lights, they last longer, but make sure to choose models with decoders to avoid flickering. The key point is safety first—get it fixed the same day when there's an issue. If the car behind can't see your brake signal, a rear-end collision could happen in minutes.

[DelRachel]

Last month during the vehicle inspection, I noticed the left brake light was intermittently working. After removing the light casing myself, I found the spring contact in the socket had turned green from oxidation. After sanding the contacts, it returned to normal. Actually, 80% of brake light failures are electrical: either poor contact like mine, a blown fuse—especially in vehicles with modified wiring that are prone to tripping, or the micro switch on the brake pedal getting stuck, which needs lubrication maintenance every 30,000 kilometers. A handy tip is to have someone check the lights while you press the brake pedal—if the hazard lights work, the fuse is likely fine. If you encounter a short circuit, don’t attempt a DIY fix. Last week, I saw an owner who tried wiring it themselves and ended up burning out the ABS module, with repair costs enough to replace ten sets of bulb wiring harnesses.