Electric park brake?

 

Yes it is the electronic hand brake system

 

That's likely going to make fault finding this tricky. Post an image of the cluster with it lit if you wish. Does the owners manual indicate if that lamp is lit what possible conditions cause it to be active? You may have no choice but to find someone who can scan the car for codes or in particular the EPB module and check live data assuming it's EPB related. I'd have to read up on it, My i40 has EPB but I've had no faults to learn anything about it.

 

Thank you for your help. I checked the manual and tried everything it suggested and nothing worked. I guess I’ll have to park it until I can afford to get it fixed

 

I guess this did not make it for the 7 year warranty?

 

Lol no. When I bought it, Kia was only offering the 5 year warranty anyway

 

 

Yeah, looks like you have. I'll see what I can find for testing that level sensor in case it is something simple and harmless. Did you check teh harness connector at the brake fluid reservoir

 

If it's a defective level switch, here's the bad news. You can't get it separate, nor the reservoir which means complete master cylinder unless there is an aftermarket option.

 

I'd hazard a guess the image is reversed for RHD for location and orientation. there's only one electrical connector. Check connector, try disconnect reconnect, failing that disconnect it and check if any lamp change, try jumping the connector with a paperclip and check again. Obviously hand brake will need to be released if it shares the same lamp.If I get time I'll play with one of my cars and see if I can work out the logic and any voltage present. virtually nothing in the manual for fault finding this.

 

Ok so I disconnected the sensor while the handbrake was off and the light turned off. Turned back on when reconnected. Haven’t tried the paper clip idea yet. Is it safe?

 

should be but wait out. I'll fiddle with my car shortly. The fact that the lamp goes out is a good thing. Verifies likely sensor issue. Has the fluid ever been changed or flushed?

 

Yeah I’m pretty sure it was done at its last service. Although that was a while ago now.

 

Faulty brake level switch/sensor. With fluid mine is open circuit or infinite resistance. 12volts at the connector. I took the risk for you , jumping the connector with it removed from sensor turned the brake lamp on.

So you know you have fluid, brakes work and handbrake operation is normal. Safe to drive but you won't know if you get a real error condition for the fluid level at least. If you left it disconnected it will illuminate for any other related conditions I will say. Don't know the construct of that sensor whether it can be cleaned or made serviceable again but Like I said, if you go to Kia, it will be master cylinder complete, plus install plus system bleed/flush.

Maybe wrecker but that model car would be rare I think. Can't imagine they sold many though I almost bought one real cheap diesel with high K's. Same motor as my i40

 

If you have or know someone with a multimeter you could confirm by measuring resistance across the 2 terminals at the sensor connector at the master cylinder