Brake Warning Light Is On in Hillsboro, KS
The short answer
A red brake warning light usually means the parking brake is still on, the brake fluid is low, or the hydraulic system has a problem, so check it right away.
It tends to show up at the worst moment, like pulling out of the drive before dawn with the day's work ahead of you and a red glow on the dash that was not there yesterday. Check the parking brake first, and if the light stays on, do not wait on it. Bring it in, or we will come and get it.
Call or text (620) 416-0008. Describe the noise. We'll do the rest.
We answer texts the same day we get them.
The red brake light, decoded
Tap the ones that sound like yours.
You ticked 0. That is worth a look.
Text us which onesHow we fix a brake warning light at Moxie
We find out why the light is on. A low fluid level can mean worn pads or a leak, and those are very different repairs, so we check both before recommending anything.
We fix the problem behind the light. That could be a leaking line, a tired master cylinder, worn pads or a sticky parking brake, and the light goes out because the cause is gone.
We do not just top up and send you off. Fluid added to a leaking system disappears again, and the next time the light comes on, the pedal might not feel so firm.
You approve everything first. We tell you what it needs and what it costs, and we say when something can wait.
Why Hillsboro brings a brake warning light to Moxie
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We come and get it
If the light stays on, we pick up for free within 40 road miles of the shop.
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Warranty good at over 17,000 shops
Brake repairs carry the NAPA nationwide warranty for 24 months or 24,000 miles.
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An ASE-certified technician
Our technician is ASE certified in engine repair, automatic transmissions and drivetrains, and Moxie pays for ASE testing for the whole team.
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Dealer-level diagnostics
On vehicles that store brake faults, we read them before we name a part.
Call or text (620) 416-0008. Describe the noise. We'll do the rest.
Brake warning light myths we hear at the counter
Hover or tap a card to flip it.
Sounds like yours? Tell us what it is doing and we will tell you straight.
Can I keep driving?
Check the parking brake first. If the light stays on, stop and call.
If the light goes out once the parking brake is fully released, you are fine to carry on. If it stays on, the brakes may be low on fluid or losing pressure, and that can get worse with no more warning. Do not drive it far, and if the pedal feels any different, leave it parked. We will come and get it for free within 40 miles of the shop.
Stop driving and call us if
- The brake pedal feels soft, low or sinks toward the floor
- The red brake light and the amber ABS light are on together
- You see fluid leaking near a wheel or under the car
- The car pulls or feels different when you brake
Want the details?
Tap any of these to open it.
What turns the brake light on around here
- A parking brake that is not fully released, or a parking brake switch that sticks
- Brake fluid that has dropped as the pads wore thin
- A leak from a brake line rusted by road salt, a hose or a caliper
- A master cylinder with worn seals
- A faulty fluid level sensor or a corroded connector
- A fault in the anti-lock or electronic brake system on some newer vehicles
How we diagnose a brake warning light that is on in Hillsboro
- We check the parking brake and its switch first, because it is the most common and simplest cause.
- We check the brake fluid level and condition, and we look at the pads to see whether wear explains a low level.
- We trace the lines, hoses and calipers for leaks.
- We read any stored codes with dealer-level diagnostic equipment on vehicles that record brake faults.
- We test the sensor and switch before we replace either, and then we show you what we found.
A brake warning light that is on across five Kansas counties
We look after drivers across Marion County, Harvey County, McPherson County, Chase County and Lyon County, with free pickup and delivery within 40 road miles of 611 Orchard Dr, Hillsboro.
Brake warning light questions we hear every week
What is the difference between the red brake light and the ABS light?
The red light covers the main brakes, including the fluid level, the hydraulics and the parking brake. The amber ABS light covers the anti-lock system, which stops the wheels from locking in a hard stop. Red is the more urgent of the two, and both on together means stop and call.
My parking brake is off and the light is still on. What now?
Leave it parked and text us. Make sure the parking brake is released all the way first, because some need a firm push to switch the light off. If it is fully off and the light stays lit, the fluid may be low or leaking, so we will come and get it.
Can I just add brake fluid to turn the light off?
You can, but it only hides the reason it was low. Fluid drops as the pads wear, and it also drops through leaks, and one of those needs fixing right away. We check which it is, so you are not driving around on a leak with the light switched off.