Kia: Brake Light On, Tachometer Inoperative, Speedometer Inoperative, Secured Body Ground Strap

Model: 2001 Kia Optima LX, 2.4L

Complaint: The customer states the red brake light is illuminated on the instrument cluster. The customer also states the tachometer and speedometer will intermittently not work.

Confirmed the customer’s concern and found the brake light on the instrument cluster was illuminated and the tachometer and the speedometer were intermittently inoperative. Removed the center console, inspected the emergency brake switch, and found when the emergency brake was pulled up, the tachometer became unresponsive.

Consulted a wiring diagram, traced all power and ground associated with the speedometer and tachometer and found the body ground strap located below the center of the instrument cluster was loose. This means that when the emergency brake was pulled up, the incorrect instrument cluster ground attempted to ground the cluster and caused the tachometer and speedometer to become inoperative and the brake light to illuminate.

Correction: Secured the body ground strap, performed a road test and verified the vehicle operated properly. The customer’s concern did not return.

Courtesy of Mitchell 1’s SureTrack Real Fixes