One of the most common car problems is the brake light not working. If you’re driving on the freeway and your brake light goes out, it can be incredibly dangerous to stop suddenly. Luckily, there are ways to fix this problem without having to take your car to a mechanic. In this article, we’ll show you how to fix a brake light without taking your car to a mechanic.
What is a brake light?
A brake light is a warning light on the dashboard of a vehicle that signals to the driver that the brakes are being applied. When the brakes are applied, the friction caused by the pads on the discs against the rotors causes a sudden decrease in air pressure inside the brake system. This decrease in air pressure causes a warning light to go off on most dashboard instruments.
What are the risks of not fixing a brake light?
According to the California Air Resources Board, not fixing a brake light can result in a $175 ticket. The risks of not fixing a brake light also include increased emissions and safety concerns.
If your car doesn’t pass smog with a brake light on, it could be due to one of the following reasons:
-The brake light isn’t working.
-There’s something obstructing the light from shining properly.
-The light is embedded in the bumper or front grille, and it’s too difficult or expensive to remove.
How to fix a brake light
Brake light problems can be annoying, but fortunately they’re usually easy to fix. Here’s how to do it:
1. Park the car in a safe place with the brake pedal pressed fully down.
2. Open the hood and locate the relay switch. It’s usually orange and black, or green and black. Refer to the photo below for help.
3. Turn off the relay switch by pushing it in until you hear a click.
4. Remove the screw that holds it in place (it should be a Phillips head screw).
5. Pull out the relay switch and replace it with a new one, making sure to align the contacts before screwing it back in place.
6. Close the hood and drive the car until it reaches operating temperature (usually around 50 degrees Celsius).
7. Reactivate the relay switch by pushing it in until you hear a click, then drive the car as normal.
What to do if you get pulled over with a brake light on
If you get pulled over and the police officer sees that your brake light is on, there are a few things you can do. Most likely, the officer will just want to know what happened and why the light is on. Here are some explanations you can give:
-The brake light was on when I got pulled over, but it went out while I was driving.
-The brake light was on when I got pulled over, but it’s not my car.
-The brake light is always on, but the car doesn’t have any brakes.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, the answer to this question is not as straightforward as you might think. When it comes to car passing smog tests, there are a number of factors that can affect the outcome – including your brake light being on. In some cases, this may actually be enough to get your car through the test without any issues at all. However, if you live in a particularly smog-heavy area or have recently had work done on your car that could affect its performance in a smog test, then you may want to consider turning off your brake light before driving through the testing station. Either way, it’s always best to call ahead and check with the authorities beforehand just to be safe!