Ram Dakota Parking brake light stays on Inspection at your home or office.

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Parking brake light stays on Inspection Service

How much does a Parking brake light stays on Inspection cost?

On average, the cost for a Ram Dakota Parking brake light stays on Inspection is $95 with $0 for parts and $95 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
2011 Ram DakotaV8-4.7LService typeParking brake light stays on InspectionEstimate$114.99Shop/Dealer Price$124.99 - $132.49
2011 Ram DakotaV6-3.7LService typeParking brake light stays on InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
Show example Ram Dakota Parking brake light stays on Inspection prices

While your primary braking system is used to slow and stop the vehicle during driving, the parking brake is designed to be used, well, when you park. By engaging the parking brake, you are able to take the load off your transmission, avoiding damage and also ensuring that your vehicle is securely parked when on an incline. The Parking Brake light should turn on when you engage the brake, and turn off when the brake is disengaged. However, if the Parking Brake light stays on, there may be one of several problems with the system.

How this system works:

Your parking brake system is a supplemental safety system designed to help secure your car when parking on an incline, as well as to prevent unnecessary loading of the transmission. However, the Parking Brake light is actually a multifunctional indicator. It turns on when you pull the parking brake handle to warn you that the brake is engaged when starting the car.

When you pull the handle, a cable engages the brake, which is located in the rear of the vehicle. There is also a switch that is responsible for sensing the brake being engaged, and then turning on the light in your dash. However, it is also designed to illuminate in several other situations, several of which have little to no connection with the parking brake itself.

Common reasons for this to happen:

  • Bad Switch: One common reason for the Parking Brake light to stay on is a failing or failed switch. This can be checked easily by jiggling the handle after it is down. If the light turns off (or turns off and then back on), the switch is the most likely culprit and will need to be replaced.

  • Brake Handle Not Completely Lowered: Another reason for the light to stay on is if the brake handle is not completely lowered. Double-check that the handle is all the way down and that the parking brake is disengaged. Any pressure on the parking brake cable will cause the light to stay on.

  • Parking Brake Not Disengaging: Sometimes the trouble isn’t with the switch or the cables, but with the parking brake itself. If the brake does not disengage when the handle is lowered, the warning light will stay on in the dash.

  • Low Brake Fluid: Your Parking Brake light is a multifunction device, and is designed to illuminate if the fluid level in the reservoir drops below a certain point. You may notice the light turning on or off when going around turns as the fluid level changes.

  • Bad Level Sensor: Your master cylinder is equipped with a brake fluid level sensor. It’s sometimes mounted in the side of the sensor, and is sometimes part of the reservoir cap. If the sensor fails or is going bad, the Parking Brake light will turn on.

  • Uneven Fluid Pressure: If your car is experiencing uneven brake fluid pressure in one or more lines, it will affect braking performance, and could possibly cause the vehicle to pull to one side or the other during braking. It can also turn on the Parking Brake light in your dash.

What to expect:

A professional mobile mechanic will come to your home or office to investigate the problem. The mechanic will check the parking brake handle, switch, fluid reservoir and other components, and then provide a detailed inspection report that includes the scope and cost of the necessary repairs.

How it's done:

The mechanic will perform a full inspection on your parking brake system, including the handle, switch and the parking brake shoes. The mechanic will also inspect other brake system components, including the reservoir, cap, fluid level sensor and more. It may be necessary to pull brake system codes from the car’s computer as well.

How important is this service?

While your parking brake is not integral to safe driving, it’s an important component on your car. Moreover, a Parking Brake light that will not go out can indicate many different things, including the parking brake not disengaging, a failed parking brake switch, or even low fluid in the master cylinder reservoir. One of our professional mechanics can inspect the system and determine the underlying cause, ensuring that your car is working properly.

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Michael

4 years of experience
233 reviews
Michael
4 years of experience
Ram Dakota V8-4.7L - Starter - Greenfield, Indiana
Fast, on time knew what to do and did it!

Adam

16 years of experience
64 reviews
Adam
16 years of experience
Ram Dakota V8-4.7L - Shock Absorber Replacement (Rear) - Irving, Texas
Adam is very skilled and reliable.

Steven

21 years of experience
200 reviews
Steven
21 years of experience
Ram Dakota V8-4.7L - Spark Plugs - Irving, Texas
He was great. A lot of knowledge and very productive!

Michael

4 years of experience
233 reviews
Michael
4 years of experience
Ram Dakota V8-4.7L - Car is not starting - Greenfield, Indiana
Michael carefully checked out problem and determined the problem, gave me a quote and set up a appointment while he was here!

Excellent Rating

(4)

Rating Summary
4
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4
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Number of Ram Dakota services completed
44+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT Ram MECHANICS
300+
experts on our platform

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