The most likely culprits include:
* Low brake fluid: This is the most common cause. Check your brake fluid reservoir immediately. Low fluid suggests a leak somewhere in the brake lines, calipers, wheel cylinders, or master cylinder – all requiring immediate professional attention.
* Brake system failure: This could involve a variety of issues, such as a failing master cylinder, a leak in the brake lines, or a problem with one or more of the wheel cylinders or calipers. These components are crucial for braking pressure, and a failure will impact both regular braking and the ABS, which relies on the same system.
* ABS module malfunction: While less likely to cause both lights simultaneously than a brake fluid issue, a faulty ABS module can still trigger both warning lights.
* Parking brake engaged: Though less likely to illuminate both lights consistently, make sure your parking brake is fully disengaged.
You should NOT drive the vehicle until the problem is diagnosed and fixed by a qualified mechanic. Driving with a malfunctioning brake system is extremely dangerous. Have the vehicle towed to a repair shop for immediate inspection. Ignoring the warning lights could lead to brake failure and an accident.
