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Red brake light is on all the time?

Tiny
NDESAI21
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 BMW X3
  • 3.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 115,000 MILES
Hello,

I have red "brake" light on all the time on dashboard, I already have replaced brake fluid, (front/rear) rotor, (front/rear) pad and sensor. I even tried brake fluid sensor change and still have red brake light. I checked with voltmeter for warning switch sensor with brake fluid sensor in the brake fluid, car on but I get continuity, I would expect reading to be 1 and not continuity (0). Any ideas or suggestions? How can I disable the red brake light off? Guys please help, I have been trying to fix it for a while.

Thanks in advance.

-Regards,

N.D.
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Monday, June 24th, 2024 AT 11:33 AM

18 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 45,347 POSTS
This brake light will be on if the parking brake handle, I would remove the handle cover to check the adjustment on the level position switch. Here are the instructions and location of the switch. I would unplug the switch to see if the light goes out with the engine running as well. Check out the images (below). Please upload pictures or videos in your response to any problems so we can see what to help you with.
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Monday, June 24th, 2024 AT 4:54 PM
Tiny
NDESAI21
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
Hi Ken,

Thanks for the reply. If Parking Brake is On, and that is the reason "Red" brake light is on, then while driving with "Red" brake would make a noise. Do you agree? I do not get any noise.

Also, I used to have yellow brake light due to issue with ABS for couple years (ABS 4X4, Brake Light, Tire Pressure lights) but now it shows Red brake Light, rest of the lights are yellow as before.

When I used scanner and tried to reset ABS light, and when I switched off engine and started car, "Red" brake light became yellow and after driving for about 5 mts, it turned "Red" again

-Regards,

N.D.
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Monday, June 24th, 2024 AT 8:20 PM
Tiny
NDESAI21
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
Hi Ken,

Also scanning with scanner turns "Brake" light to yellow, which means not a Parking brake issue. But it turn "Red" again after 5 mts.

Any Help will be appreciated.

-Regards,

N.D.
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Tuesday, June 25th, 2024 AT 6:46 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 45,347 POSTS
Okay, I was thinking the parking brake switch was to blame even though the handle is not pulled, which codes were in the system when you scanned it?
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Tuesday, June 25th, 2024 AT 11:38 AM
Tiny
NDESAI21
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
Hi Ken,

I am attaching scan report. I have some these speed sensor codes for years due to ABS issue. But "red" brake light was not present earlier.

For last few days, I am noticing after I park car for 10 mts and then I start the car, remove parking brake, "brake" turns yellow, as before. After driving for few mts it turns "red". What I also observed that if I drive straight, in about 5 mts after starting car, "brake" turns "red" from yellow. If I drive reverse, it remains "yellow"

What you think it is? As mentioned before I have changed front/rear rotor/brake pad/sensor and red light has started coming up after putting front rotor/brake pad/sensor. I put front and rear two weeks apart.

I thought at that time, that till I put rear brakes red "brake" will remain

Your advice will be appreciated.

-Regards,

N.D.
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Wednesday, June 26th, 2024 AT 3:20 PM
Tiny
NDESAI21
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
Hi Ken,

Any thoughts regarding my last messages where I have also shared scan codes as well?

-Regards,

N.D.
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Thursday, June 27th, 2024 AT 9:02 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 45,347 POSTS
Thanks for the code readout, the codes that sticks out and which can cause the other codes is the 005E34 left rear wheel speed sensor problem, I would raise the car up to check the wiring to the sensor to make sure it is not damaged by road debris and if it is okay lets try a new sensor and then clear the codes. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Thursday, June 27th, 2024 AT 11:03 AM
Tiny
NDESAI21
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
Hi Ken,

When I drive in forward, yellow brake light becomes red within 5 mts of starting the car even when I do not press brakes, but when I do reverse brake light remains yellow, even after pressing brakes. Do you have any thought why yellow light does not change to red when reversing like when we move car forward? That may give clue where the problem is, speed sensor should be active in forward as well as reverse so if that is causing red, it should show "red" brake light even when reversing it, do you agree?

Regards,

N.D.
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Thursday, June 27th, 2024 AT 11:40 AM
Tiny
NDESAI21
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
Hi Ken,

Can you give me your thoughts based on my last messages, why when reversing and even breaking I do not get red "brake" light. Light remains yellow. But when I forward the car, "brake" light turns "red" within 5 minutes, even without braking?

-Regards,

N.D.
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Friday, June 28th, 2024 AT 8:57 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 45,347 POSTS
Each manufacturer has a different criteria on how there warning system works, I would concentrate on fixing the trouble codes and the warning light issue should go away. I would replace the left rear wheel speed sensor and clear the codes to see what happens.
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Friday, June 28th, 2024 AT 10:20 AM
Tiny
NDESAI21
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
Hi Ken,

If I am fixing speed sensor, I have a question - I have abs, 4x4, brake light, tire pressure lights for years and this is due to the fact that my ABS ring - reductor ring is rusted and it is touching speed sensor so it is not catching correct speed, while I am fixing speed sensor, can I put washer to prevent abs ring touching speed sensor to create ABS, 4x4, brake light, tire pressure lights again and may be "red" brake light again?

-Regards,

N.D.
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Friday, June 28th, 2024 AT 10:39 AM
Tiny
NDESAI21
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
I meant prevent ABS, 4x4, brake light, tire pressure lights again and may be "red" brake light again in future? Will washer works in this situation.
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Friday, June 28th, 2024 AT 10:45 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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The washer may work but I am more concerned with why the sensor is touching the reluctor wheel, you may have a bad bearing hub causing the issue.
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Friday, June 28th, 2024 AT 10:57 AM
Tiny
NDESAI21
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
Rust buildup in that area might be the one to be blamed.
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Friday, June 28th, 2024 AT 11:34 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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Yep, that can cause the problem, I would try cleaning the reluctor wheel and at the same time check the bearing hub for play.
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Sunday, June 30th, 2024 AT 10:22 AM
Tiny
NDESAI21
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
Thanks Ken. What is your thought Should we go-ahead to clean reluctor wheel and in process we may end up causing more issues due to rust in that area and more cost to fix thing or to keep driving like this with "Red" Brake light and No-ABS?

-Regards,

N.D.
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Sunday, June 30th, 2024 AT 3:10 PM
Tiny
NDESAI21
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
Hi Ken,

Due to rust it might be difficult to separate ABS ring from Hub and we cannot get ABS ring by itself, and we may have to replace Axle. So We may end up with more headache and more cost than it is worth, what you think?

-Regards,

N.D.
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Sunday, June 30th, 2024 AT 5:34 PM
Tiny
CANNON1349
  • MECHANIC
  • 629 POSTS
Hello,

If your axle and hub are frozen together with rust, then at the very least you will need both an axle and hub. Rust will prevent a new axle from going into an old hub, as well as an old axle into a new hub. If the sensor is clean I would keep it but personally I would replace all 3. If you are used to the lights and they don't bother you, I would say drive on it until you have the money, time, and patience to tackle the rust job. However, I've seen these things weld themselves together over time, heat up, and destroy the knuckle. I recommend checking out prices of parts online to save some money if you decide to repair it.

William
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Sunday, June 30th, 2024 AT 6:57 PM

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