[Kuripot]

The orginal alternator on our 2005 Santa Fe quit on us. I could smell something getting hot for a few days but couldn't figure out what it was. One day I started it and the battery warning light was on. I checked the voltage and was getting under 12v at the battery. For some reason, probably low voltage, the parking brake light stayed on even though it wasn't engaged.

I put a charger on the battery and a couple hours later I drove it to my mechanic. He put the alternator on and charged me $520. The parking brake light also went away.

$280 parts/$240 labor
It's a 6 cylinder and according to the book the labor is 3 hours compared to the 4 cylinder which is less than 2.

Kevin (Kuripot)

 

[paul03]

Hi Kevin,
The confusing brake light also comes on when the battery light comes on. In the instrument cluster it is internally linked to the battery light via a diode, so when the battery light comes on that brake light also comes on.
So it isn't any fault condition in your brake circuit.
I suppose it is done to give you an extra warning something has to be done quickly to the battery charging circuitry (like a broken down alternator).
Greets,
Paul