Lost power steering and now my brake and battery light are on is the car safe to drive
Lost power steering and now my brake and battery light are on is the car safe to drive
My car has 80000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Check the brake fluid level in the master cylinder. If the fluid level is normal and the brakes work normally, it might be safe to drive to a repair shop but beyond that, no, it is definitely not safe to drive the car. Inasmuch as the power steering doesn’t work and the battery light is on,it may be that the serpentine belt that drives those systems is broken. So, in the simplest scenario, you might just need a new serpentine belt. If you request serpentine belt replacement a certified Mechanic, dispatched by YourMechanic right to your location, will check that possibility and replace the belt if needed. Alternatively, if the belt is not the issue, the mechanic will still diagnose the problem and resolve it. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
When you get this combination of warning lights and symptoms it is typically the result of a battery that has failed. If the battery voltage gets low enough then the check engine light and the brake light can come on as they can no longer function without suitable power.
If your Nissan Altima battery warning light comes on while driving, be sure to turn off your accessories, so the battery doesn`t drain further. The warning light usually means that the alternator isn`t working perfectly meaning you are operating solely on battery power.
Brake and battery lights together indicate you have a problem with your charging system. Normally they both come on, which indicates you alternator died.
Often times many dash lights will illuminate when the battery is dead, indicating that a particular system (in this case the braking system) does not have the proper voltage to it.
It illuminates to show that the parking brake or emergency brake is engaged and must be released before driving. If it remains lit after the parking brake is released or if it turns on and off intermittently while you`re driving, it means you need to add brake fluid.
Tip: When your brake lights stay on while your car is stopped, it can drain your battery. It`s important to resolve brake light issues right away so as to not drain your battery.
If the red battery light on your car`s dashboard starts blinking, then take it as a sign that your battery or charging system is not functioning properly. The battery warning light is in the shape of a battery symbol, usually with a plus and minus sign.
The ignition warning light, sometimes known as the no-charge light, is one of the most important lights on your dashboard . It warns you when the car`s generator is not charging the battery . The warning light circuit. A typical circuit has the warning light wired directly to a terminal at the rear of the alternator.
If your brake service warning light is always on, it could be due to a need for parking brake adjustment, worn brake pads, or hydraulic issues. If your brake service warning light turns on when you hit the pedal, it could be due to hydraulic loss on one side of your vehicle or low brake fluid in the master cylinder.
When the Charge Warning Light appears, it indicates that the vehicle charging system may be malfunctioning. Turn the engine off and check the generator belt. If the Charge Warning Light remains active, have your Nissan vehicle checked by a service professional.
You need to change the alternator. The brake warning light and alternator are “like” on the same circuit… the alternator voltage is lower than it should be, it triggers the brake warning light too.
If the ABS light on the instrument panel illuminates, our technicians recommend checking the battery first. A weak battery can cause the ABS light to turn on. A brake light that is not working or has burned out can also cause the ABS light to illuminate.
Fault in braking system:
This may be caused by a leak or lack of fluid or faulty master cylinder or servo, which will render your brakes not fully functional. Do not drive the vehicle, as it could be dangerous.
If your car is one of those that continues to power the outlet even when the car is off (so the green LED light stays on), then yes, you are using battery power overnight to light that LED. Fortunately, it takes so little current to light that LED that your battery will power it for … let me do the math …
If you have left car lights on all night, the battery can quickly run down. It does not make much difference whether it is a halogen, LED or xenon lamp. If you leave the light on for too long, the battery will drain and the car will no longer start.
It is possible that the problems that you have been experiencing with the bad alternators have damaged the battery causing it to be weak. This would make the Battery Light come on. It is also possible that there is a problem with the fusible link or the alternator fuse for the charging system.
Basically, the light indicates a battery charging problem. If the light comes on and stays on while driving, this means that your alternator is running solely on energy stored in the battery. If you continue driving, your battery will eventually drain and your vehicle will stop working.
Most alternators will last between 80,000 and 150,000 miles — or about seven years. However, your driving habits and the area where you live could wear it out prematurely.
“Electrical devices or lights left running, a defective charging system or alternator, and extreme weather are some common reasons but maybe it`s just time to get a new battery.”
When the engine stalls or stops oil pressure falls, so the oil pressure warning light illuminates. The alternator/battery light is the same situation, the indicator is there to warn you that the alternator is no longer outputting current to run the vehicle`s systems.
Can Brakes Make the Check Engine Light Turn On? While it may be surprising, a check engine light (CEL) can come from a faulty brake system.
When the engine stalls or stops oil pressure falls, so the oil pressure warning light illuminates. The alternator/battery light is the same situation, the indicator is there to warn you that the alternator is no longer outputting current to run the vehicle`s systems.
Can Brakes Make the Check Engine Light Turn On? While it may be surprising, a check engine light (CEL) can come from a faulty brake system.
Can I Still Operate My Vehicle with a Bad Alternator? While you can technically still drive with a bad alternator, it is not advised. This is especially true in newer vehicle models. This is because there is more electricity involved compared to an older model.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
Purchased a battery last November…Recently my battery light came on. Then now my car lost power and it won’t drive forward?
ANSWER : Hello, thank you for writing in. The warning light is indicating an issue with the charging system in general. This means the alternator may also be having issues keeping the battery charged. This also validates you issues while driving, as the alternator is what supplies the vehicle with power once the car is started. When all of the warning lights illuminate, it is because they all depend on the alternator’s electrical supply, and are not getting it. You can have the alternator tested on the vehicle, or remove it and have it bench tested. For more help with this, contact our service department to schedule an appointment.
2012 equinox reduced power light engine light and traction light came on. Lost a lot of power got home and all light except engine
ANSWER : Your car has what is called a "safe mode" that will be engaged by the computer when it detects that something critical has gone wrong related to any of the major components in your engine chassis or power train. This may be related to a number of things, most of which should have been registered in the computer when the check engine light came on. I recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to inspect your check engine light and diagnose any codes registered by your vehicle’s computer.
Lost power steering and now my brake and battery light are on is the car safe to drive
ANSWER : Check the brake fluid level in the master cylinder. If the fluid level is normal and the brakes work normally, it might be safe to drive to a repair shop but beyond that, no, it is definitely not safe to drive the car. Inasmuch as the power steering doesn’t work and the battery light is on,it may be that the serpentine belt that drives those systems is broken. So, in the simplest scenario, you might just need a new serpentine belt. If you request serpentine belt replacement a certified Mechanic, dispatched by YourMechanic right to your location, will check that possibility and replace the belt if needed. Alternatively, if the belt is not the issue, the mechanic will still diagnose the problem and resolve it. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
EPC light on 2004 Jetta. Code said brake switch faulty, but brakes lights worked. Replaced brake switch, now no brake lights.
ANSWER : Hi there. The first thing that pops in my mind beyond of what you have listed is perhaps the electrical harness attached to the brake switch. Perhaps the harness itself is damaged or you have an exposed wire, loose ground wire somewhere. You might want to have a professional mobile mechanic come to your location and complete a brake lights not working inspection to help you diagnose this issue.
My battery light keeps coming on and radio went off and on then off completely then car lost power toyota avalon 2000
ANSWER : Hello. If the engine will not stay running then the alternator is bad. The battery will also need to be load tested as a bad alternator can also cause the battery to fail.
When I come across this problem I always check the alternator and battery, as well as all of the connection first. Most of the time just the alternator needs to be replaced.
If you want to have your battery light diagnosed, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to your home or office to diagnose and repair this issue.
in my car battery warning light appearing while driving.so I have replaced both battery and alternater still light is on
ANSWER : As you may yourself have seen, there are many reports of this fault with the Civic, that is a battery or alternator is replaced only to have the warning light fail to extinguish despite checking every conceivable electrical possibility. Your only recourse is to have a certified mechanic go through that exercise with your car and that involves first attempting to "re-set" the light. If the warning light returns, the alternator output has to be carefully measured both loaded and unloaded. All terminal connections have to be verified including all grounds. Fuses have to be checked for integrity (continuity) and the possibility of shorts, in for example dash wiring, has to be checked. To request this repair, simply request an electrical components diagnostic and the responding certified mechanic will seek a resolution to this.
Engine light and battery light came on and I lost my power steering…. this guy is telling me it is my serpentine belt 2003 Audi A6
ANSWER : Hi there – this is the logical failure for the symptoms you describe. Look just behind the radiator (not much room in there!) – if you see bare pulleys without a belt, the serpentine belt has failed you. I would recommend a serpentine belt, tensioner and idler replacement by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, and correct this problem.
When I put my foot on the brake my back left brake light goes off, when I take it off the brake the brake light comes on
ANSWER : I would suggest trying to disconnect and reconnect the wiring to the rear lights. I have seen these older Toyota vehicles rear lighting short out on the lights themselves due to the way the light circuit was made on the lamp housing. Look at the housing circuit on the light to see if one is touching another, and that could tell you why it is malfunctioning. There could also be a problem with the brake light switch. If you are not comfortable dealing with wires, I recommend getting in touch with a certified mechanic who can look at your brake light issue for you to see what’s going on.
