It is common for parts to fail at any point in the development of modern cars because all of their systems are interconnected, causing problems all along the way. The Honda Civic’s brake problem can often be confusing, particularly when the engine won’t start.
How can a Honda Civic brake system problem lead to a non-starting vehicle?
It’s strange that the Honda Civic displays endless error messages when it doesn’t start. It appears that one of these notices concerns the brake system, but the problem is most likely due to a dead battery.
There is a high probability that this issue will affect the 2016 Honda Civic across all model years. The guide provides all the information you need to understand this issue and its likely solution.
Do you know what the Honda Civic Brake System Problem means?
A Honda Civic may experience brake system problems from time to time. If your parking brake is stuck, this light will illuminate and your vehicle will be unable to start. Alternatively, this error message could be caused by a faulty battery or terminal. Located on the center console, the parking brake button is located on the Civic. It is possible to activate the warning light by checking the button for dirt or debris buildup.
A low car battery may cause the car battery to have a low charge even if the parking brake switch is functioning properly. Make sure that the headlights and high beams are turned on to verify this. A battery might be malfunctioning if they produce weaker light than usual. The battery needs to be jump-started in order to resolve this issue.
Remove the ignition from both vehicles and get another car to do this. Your weak battery’s positive terminal should be connected to the positive terminal of the positive jumper cable and the assisting battery should be connected to the negative terminal. As well as the positive cable and terminal, you should do the same with the negative cable. Allow both cars to run for three minutes with their engines on.
Removing the cables and closing the lids while the vehicle is still running is the next step. To fully recharge the battery in a jump-started car, let it run for half an hour.
Problems with the Honda Civic’s brake system and their solutions
In addition to the dirty parking brake button, the Honda Civic may have problems with its brake system as well. This warning light may also be caused by the following factors:
Loose Connections
Honda Civics do not have mechanical parking brakes, so there could be a problem there. If the brakes’ two wires are loose, the fuse may blow, or there may be a loose connection between them. Frequently turning on and off the error light is indicative of a loose connection.
The battery terminals should be removed from the car before inspecting it for faulty connections. Under the hood, near the steering wheel, you can find the fuse. Make sure the fuse isn’t fried or broken by removing the plastic cover. In this case, the fuse needs to be replaced. Wires should be tightened if they become loose.
Faulty Servo Motor
There is a dedicated servo motor in the Honda Civic that controls the parking brake. In the case of a malfunctioning or failed motor, the emergency brake will not engage when the button is pressed.
You need to have the motor inspected and repaired by a professional if you want to resolve this issue. Consult the service department at the dealership. A fee won’t be charged if all it takes is a software update or adjustment to fix the problem.
Stuck Electric Parking Brake
If you park your car on an incline, the electric parking brake (EPB) helps keep your car stationary. You won’t be able to start your Honda Civic if the EPB system is stuck in the engaged position.
The parking brake can be disengaged by pressing the release button located on the center console. Alternatively, you can disconnect the EPB physically by pulling the release lever located close to the brake pedal. Hopefully, the error message will disappear.
Faulty Alternator
Using the alternative, vehicles can provide power to their electric systems. Your Honda Civic’s brake system problem light may come on if the alternator malfunctions. Batteries with low voltage and blown fuses are signs of a bad alternator.
The alternator needs to be replaced in order to resolve this issue. By doing so, you will be able to keep your electrical system running effectively, charge your battery properly, and remove the warning light from your system.
Symptoms of Honda Civic Brake System Problem
A problematic brake system is clearly indicated by an activated dashboard brake system problem light. It is also possible to hear a strange noise while applying the parking brake or releasing it. There can be a whistling or screeching sound when using the parking brake if there are problems with the calipers or brake pads.
It is also possible that the brakes might appear to be stuck on the wheel or to hold on to the wheel if the brake system is damaged. When you release the brake or park it for a long period of time, this can happen. Consequently, you cannot stop the car as quickly as you would like, posing a serious danger. In the event that you notice any of the signs listed above, you should have the car inspected by a licensed mechanic.
Brakes and starting systems are interconnected
The Honda Civic’s push-to-start system requires you to press the brake pedal down to start the car. You will only be able to switch to accessory mode if you aren’t pressing the brake as you press the button.
Despite ensuring that you are ready to drive when the vehicle starts up, this safety mechanism can prove problematic if any of the parts fail. In the case of a brake pedal switch that goes out, the car will not know you have pressed the brake pedal.
It’s impossible to start your car when that happens, leaving you to wonder what’s wrong. Many startup problems are caused by dead batteries, resulting in error messages being sent to you by the system. When you encounter these errors, you might think that it’s caused by a bad brake switch when in fact it’s not.
Is there a problem with the Honda Civic’s brake system that causes it to fail to start?
If your gauge cluster displays all the error messages shown in the video above, it is likely that the problem is caused by a dead battery. In that case, you just need to replace the battery in your car so it starts up and runs normally again.
There are times when it’s not as easy as that. In some cases, it is the fuse box that is malfunctioning. There are also times when the brake switch needs to be replaced. You may need to replace the brake switch if you feel stiffness or have difficulty pushing down the pedal.
To find out which of these problems your car has, you can have it diagnosed at the dealership. In order to determine if the battery needs to be replaced, they will first check it. Depending on the results, they may install a test battery before moving forward.
They can then narrow down the causes and find the culprit by following the diagnostic steps for each suspected system. In that case, all that remains is to replace the offending part in order to get your Civic back on the road.
What is the procedure for resetting the electronic parking brake on a Honda Civic?
The brake system problem light on your Honda Civic can be turned off by simply resetting the parking brake if the problem is related to a software issue or another simple issue. Open the hood of your Honda Civic after it has been turned off. The negative terminal of the battery should be disconnected.
Start your car after reconnecting the terminal. It should be possible to remove the error message and to use the parking brake normally. When you do this trick, the engine module will perform a complete scan to ensure everything is functioning correctly.
Using the EPB button on your Honda Civic, you can reset it as well. The procedure:
Make sure the ignition is on and the gearshift is in park before turning the key. Be careful not to press the brake pedal. Activate the electric parking brake by pulling and releasing the button. Your car engine should make a mechanical sound as you hold the button. The EPB button should be released as soon as it is heard.
Then release the button after hearing two mechanical beeps after pulling and holding it for three seconds. The warning light should also be turned off if this approach resolves all EPB difficulties and the brake system problem.
How Much is the cost of fixing the brake system on a Honda Civic
It varies from auto repair shop to auto repair shop and from location to location how much it costs to fix a Honda Civic’s parking brake system. It costs about $42 to $53 to adjust the parking brake system on repairpal. An auto repair shop will charge about $100 to $150 to replace the battery if the brake system is malfunctioning.
The following is a list of replacement costs for Honda Civic parts that cause brake system problem lights to illuminate.
| Name of the part | Cost |
| Blown fuse | $96 |
| Faulty servo motor | $50 |
| Damaged alternator | $578 to $906 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What to do when your Honda Civic shows a brake system problem?
You should turn off your Honda Civic’s engine immediately after noticing this warning light on the dashboard. When your brakes aren’t working properly, you can’t drive. If the problem can’t be found and resolved at home, take your vehicle to a licensed auto repair shop.
Why does the brake system light turn on in Honda Civic?
When the brake fluid is low in your Honda Civic, the brake system light may illuminate. This error message can also be caused by antilock brake systems.
Can you drive with the brake pad warning light on?
It is okay to drive while the brake pad warning light is on for a short period of time. When a small amount of brake pad material is left on the pad, the brake pad warning light will turn on. It is best to bring this problem to a professional rather than continuing to drive with the error message.
Conclusion
Taking care of the Honda Civic brake system problem is of the utmost importance. When this isn’t done, you’ll have trouble starting the car, driving on hills, or parking the car.
After learning the common causes and fixing and resetting procedures, I hope you will be able to resolve this issue at your garage. Avoid neglecting your car by hiring an expert or taking it to a local auto repair shop if you cannot do it yourself.
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