STOP>Brake Fault>Service Manual!!

[Das Auto1.8T]

My ecu keeps telling me that I need to stop driving because I have a brake fault. However my brakes work perfectly fine. It happens every so often, but lately I've noticed it happening ALL THE TIME, and its really annoying, it happens most when I am taking a turn, so Im not sure if its some short circuit or if something near my brakes is touching something it shouldn't and setting it off, really I have no idea. I haven't been able to scan it because the cable I have access to works on PC not a MAC. But if all goes to plan I'll be able to do that tomorrow, but I was trying to get any insight if I could now.

Thanks,
Das Auto1.8T

[scotts13]

If it comes on while turning, you most likely have low brake fluid. These cars are very sensitive to that; turning causes the sensor float to dip a little. If so, top it up and very carefully watch it for a while to see if it drops again. You don't normally "use" brake fluid, and if it's leaking that can be a dangerous problem.

Beyond that, get it scanned...

[ColoradoBob]

Sounds like a failing ABS module. Mine did the same thing and eventually the warning was on most the time. Get the module repaired (and the common failure point fixed). I had mine repaired by cheapabs.com. Works great now.

[Das Auto1.8T]

If it comes on while turning, you most likely have low brake fluid. These cars are very sensitive to that; turning causes the sensor float to dip a little. If so, top it up and very carefully watch it for a while to see if it drops again. You don't normally "use" brake fluid, and if it's leaking that can be a dangerous problem.

Beyond that, get it scanned...

Wasn't able to get it scanned today, but the brake fluid was low, so i filled it to the appropriate level and the brake fault doesn't come on anymore.

[Mk1Racer]

Wasn't able to get it scanned today, but the brake fluid was low, so i filled it to the appropriate level and the brake fault doesn't come on anymore.

Brake fluid is not a consumable fluid, there is no reason to top it it. If it's low, that's probably a good indication that your brakes are pretty worn and the pistons in the calipers are extended. If not, it means that you've got a leak someplace that needs to be fixed.

And now, when you actually do get around to doing the brakes, and you push the pistons back into the calipers, the brake fluid reservoir will most likely overflow, dumping brake fluid into your engine bay. Have you ever seen what happens when you get brake fluid on painted items?

[Das Auto1.8T]

Brake fluid is not a consumable fluid, there is no reason to top it it. If it's low, that's probably a good indication that your brakes are pretty worn and the pistons in the calipers are extended. If not, it means that you've got a leak someplace that needs to be fixed.

And now, when you actually do get around to doing the brakes, and you push the pistons back into the calipers, the brake fluid reservoir will most likely overflow, dumping brake fluid into your engine bay. Have you ever seen what happens when you get brake fluid on painted items?

I know its not a consumable fluid and that you should really never have to top it off if everything is working. But I recently did my brakes and a caliper not to long ago, maybe have driving 8-10k on them. I put in really so little amount of brake fluid and my fault stopped, and every time I park somewhere for awhile, when I leave I check for any spills. But you're right I shouldn't take chances, so definitely going to take it to the shop. But thanks for the info, it helped!

[nolesfan]

If you have some basic hand tools, you shouldn't have to take it to a shop. Brakes are one of the generally simple things to work on with these cars. Monitor the potential leak for a few days to a week. If no fault warning, then you should be good as far as leaks. Check the inside of your wheels to make sure. You also may want to bleed your lines to make sure there's no air. I'd also take it to Auto Zone or some place similar and have it scanned for codes. Could be ABS module going bad, but won't know yet.....

Several things could be at play here.

[Das Auto1.8T]

If you have some basic hand tools, you shouldn't have to take it to a shop. Brakes are one of the generally simple things to work on with these cars. Monitor the potential leak for a few days to a week. If no fault warning, then you should be good as far as leaks. Check the inside of your wheels to make sure. You also may want to bleed your lines to make sure there's no air. I'd also take it to Auto Zone or some place similar and have it scanned for codes. Could be ABS module going bad, but won't know yet.....

Several things could be at play here.

Thats what i meant by take it to the shop, to get it scanned. I have a metal belly pan and it puts whatever leaks off to the side so sometimes its difficult to tell where its coming from, but thanks for the advice, will post what it is when I find out.

[Das Auto1.8T]

Excuse the late post. But believe it or not, I put in the tiniest amount of brake fluid, and the fault has never come back on!

[B5-Euro-00]

I have had this problem for months and yet I have full fluid.

[CarnivalofSax]

So I had this same problem start yesterday. I grabbed some DOT 4 and filled up the reservoir, but it only took a very small amount of fluid.

So I fired up the car and pumped the brakes for about 10 seconds, turned it back off then checked it again and the fluid level was under the screen again. Anyway, repeated this process about 6 times and figured I'd put enough in by now. I didn't see any fluid leaking anywhere but I'll have the shop look for next time I take it in.

-jake