Honda HR-V Parking Brake Light Blinking – What's Wrong?

Over the past decades, there has been a huge improvement in parking brakes. Car brands now offer an electronic version of the parking brake as a standard feature. Irrespective of what some drivers think, the parking brake remains an important safety feature.

Parking brake light highlights

• Common reasons:issues with EPB
• How to fix:check the battery, disconnect the battery for some time
• Possible consequences:brake pads dying, no parking brake
• Priority level:High
• Can you drive?Not recommended
• DIY repair:Impossible
• Repair price range:$150-$600

Why is My Honda HR-V Parking Brake Light Blinking?

Honda's HR-V model has a circled 'P' in brackets with an exclamation mark to symbolize the parking brake. Once the light starts blinking, it means that there's a problem with the brake system.

There are several possibilities, so it's hard to know the exact problem without a diagnosis. A blinking emergency brake light means that the system might not work if you engage it.

Now, let's check out some problems that cause the parking brake light to blink.

1) Low Brake Fluid

The brake fluid is important because it's the blood of the brake system in your HR-V. When you press the pedal, the brake fluid is squeezed and it makes the brake pads touch the rotor. The harder you press, the more efficiently it decelerates the car.

Top up the brake fluid if it's below the recommended level. You might also want to check if you have a leak problem.

2) Bad Parking Brake Light Switch

Despite its small size, the brake light switch plays an undeniably important role in modern cars. The switch is responsible for sending signals to the car's computer when you engage or disengage the brakes.

Without a functional switch, the parking brake light won't turn off when you disengage it. The whole confusion can make you drive with parking brakes engaged. As you know, driving with engaged brakes will damage your braking system.

If you drive with a pedal-operated parking brake, the switch is under the dashboard. For cars with a lever parking brake, the switch is under the center console. You can use a multimeter to test the switch.

If you don't have a multimeter, I'll advise that you visit a repair shop. They can also replace the switch if it's faulty. Depending on your location, switch replacement costs about $70 - $200.

3) Wiring Issues

Electronic parking brake systems have wires that connect the button to other parts of the system. The parking brake button's location on the center console makes it easy for dirt to get into the system.

Honda's HR-V model doesn't have a history of bad brake wiring these things happen. Connections can get loose and break with time. Rust can also affect the system.

If you can, open the center console and have a thorough look at the wiring. Check for debris, loose connections, and rust.

4) Low Voltage

Another culprit that can cause the emergency brake light to blink is a low voltage. Like all electrical components in a car, the electronic parking brake needs power for operation. 

To check if your battery is low on voltage, use a voltmeter or multimeter to test the battery. If you get any figure less than 12.1 volts, then your battery voltage is low. 

I'll recommend that you fix the issue immediately. Driving with a low-voltage battery is bad for your car. 

Other faults such as an open fuse can also trigger the emergency brake light. After checking your car and none of the above issues is at fault, you should see a professional.

At a dealership or an auto repair shop, they'll scan your vehicle and tell you what the problem is. They'll also give you options to solve the problem.

Is It Safe To Drive With The Parking Brake Light Blinking?

No, it's not safe to drive with the parking brake light blinking. Apart from being unsafe, it's also bad for your primary brake system.

When the parking brake light comes on, there are two possibilities. Firstly, it could mean that the parking brake is engaged. On the flip side, it could be a warning about a malfunction in the system.

If you've tried to disengage the parking brake and the light still stays on, then there's a fault in the system. You could even be driving with the parking brake engaged without knowing.

The parking brake light tells you when the brakes are on and off. However, if the system is malfunctioning, there will be no way to tell if the brakes are on. To understand how unsafe this is, you need to know how parking brakes work.

Every time you turn on the parking brake, the brake pads push against the rear wheel brakes. With this action, the brake pads generate friction to stop the car.

As you drive with the parking brake on, the brake pads will continue rubbing against the brakes (or rotor). All this friction will cause overheating. The excessive heat will eventually get to the brake fluid.

Once the brake fluid overheats, you can expect it to affect your primary brakes. Driving with the parking brake light blinking for a prolonged time will eventually cause the brakes to fail.

How Many Miles Can I Drive With The Parking Brake Light Blinking?

There's no set number of miles that you can drive with the parking brake light blinking. Unlike some other warning light, the parking brake light doesn't give you a few hundred miles of driving before the system starts deteriorating.

You can't put an exact number on how long you can drive with a blinking emergency brake light. Also, it depends on your driving habits and how much speed you use while driving.

To be on the safer side, avoid driving your car much if the emergency brake light is blinking. You can manage a ride to the mechanic but don't ignore the light. Driving for long in that condition will cause more brake troubles and increase the repair costs.

How Can You Fix The Parking Brake Light on A Honda HR-V?

Before going to the auto repair shop, you can try to fix the parking brake light by yourself. Even if you don't successfully fix clear the light, it's good to have an idea of what's happening with your car before seeing a professional.

To fix a blinking parking brake light, you can use these steps:

1) Park The Car On A Flat Area

The first thing you have to do is to safely park the car on a flat surface. Avoid steep or hilly areas. Then, turn off the engine and let the car cool down for a while.

2) Check The Parking Brake

Locate the parking brake on your car and inspect it. Check if the brake is engaged. If it is, then disengage it.

Once you disengage the brakes and the light is still on, you can conclude that there's a problem.

3) Check Your Brake Fluid Level

Open your hood and locate the brake fluid reservoir. The HR-V brake fluid reservoir is on the master cylinder. You can use your owner's manual to guide you on the minimum and maximum fluid lines.

Clean the reservoir cap before opening it, so you don't contaminate the fluid. If there's not enough fluid, top it up and close the reservoir.

Brake Fluid absorbs moisture, so avoid leaving it exposed for long periods. Also, check your brake lines and under the vehicle for oil leaks.

4) Scan And Clear Error Codes

Next, try scanning the error codes with an OBD2 scanner. If you don't have a scan tool, you can get one at your local auto shop. OBD2 scanners are quite affordable and easy to use.

After scanning for error codes, you can clear them with the scanner. The blinking light should clear out after this process.

5) Reset The Parking Brake Light

Another available option is a reset. Car brands like Honda usually offer resets for various systems. You can easily rest the parking brake light on the Honda HR-V and restore the system.

How Do You Reset The Parking Brake Light On A Honda HR-V?

Before you head to a dealership, you can try to reset the parking brake. A successful reset will turn off the blinking light. Take the following steps to reset your Honda HR-V parking brake.

• Start your car and put it in park mode.
• Next, pull on the parking brake switch to engage it. Hold the lever for several seconds till you hear the beep, then let it stay on.
• Now, release the parking switch. Pull the switch again and hold it for about three seconds.
• If you hear two beeps, then you've successfully reset the parking brake system.
• The parking brake light should clear out after the reset.

If the blinking light stays or clears and returns later, take your car to the mechanic. Get a professional diagnostic check and fix your car to avoid more damage.