Why does the p light keep flashing?
2 Answers
The p light in a car is the brake system warning light, also known as the parking brake warning light. When the p light is on, it indicates a fault in the vehicle's braking system. The car should be pulled over immediately for inspection to avoid potential safety hazards. Below is an introduction to the parking brake: 1. Traditional mechanical parking brake: Uses a steel cable connected to the rear brake shoes to apply braking force to the vehicle. It features mature technology, low cost, and easy operation. However, since it uses cable control, prolonged use may cause cable loosening or deformation, requiring frequent maintenance. 2. Foot-operated parking brake: A parking brake controlled by a foot pedal. 3. Electronic parking brake: Typically equipped in mid-to-high-end vehicles.
Last time I encountered the P light on the dashboard flashing continuously, which really made me nervous. It turned out to be a fault in the electronic parking brake module, since the electronic parking brake uses the P symbol. The issue could be due to poor sensor contact or severely worn brake pads triggering the protection mechanism. Once after heavy rain, my car had this flashing issue, and it resolved on its own after drying out—probably due to moisture causing a short circuit in the wiring. However, never force driving under such conditions; if there's a real issue with the brake system, it could lead to serious consequences. The safest bet is to drive to a repair shop immediately to read the fault codes, especially since brake-related issues can't be delayed—safety should always come first.
