Tel254
27-07-2008, 06:33 PM
I own a 2002 Passat TDI Sport (virtually from new - previously VW owned)with 106K on the clock.
About 3 years ago I was getting a very infrequent problem whereby the ABS and ESP warning lights were coming on. Usually when waiting in traffic with foot brake on. This was very rare and would clear when ignition turned off an on so I didn't worry about it.
A few months ago it became more frequent and my local VW dealer suggested the problem was the stop light switch. They fitted a new one and the situation became worse with the warning lights now coming on every time I drove the car. I took it back and they checked with diagnostics and said it was an intermittent problem and was not critical and could require a brake sensor or a complete ABS unit at around £800. Since it wasn't affecting braking and would clear with ignition switched off and on I held on getting them to repair. Now I'm experiencing other problems. I have an oil warning light come on and then go off after a few seconds twice in the last couple of weeks (oil levels all ok) and now my alarm keeps going off. I've cleaned the internal sensors but it still keeps going off. It will be ok for a few hours or even a day and then will start going off frequently. Interestingly the manual says that if you lock the car with the key twice within one second the alarm is not turned on. But if I do this the alarm still goes off.
I read somewhere that a duff battery can cause problems. This car still has the original, although I've never had problems with starting. could this be the problem? Could it be an earth problem?
Or could it be the water in the footwell/ECU unit I've heard about. To check this, do I really need to take the passenger seat out or can I get a reasonable enough visual by just lifting the carpets?
Lastly I have one other problem that has just started. I seem to be using a lot of coolant (about 1/2 to 1 litre per week/400 miles). I can't see any evidence of a leak or water in the oil or white smoke, any ideas on how I can find it?
Sorry about the long list ... hope someone can help.
Regards,
Tel254
About 3 years ago I was getting a very infrequent problem whereby the ABS and ESP warning lights were coming on. Usually when waiting in traffic with foot brake on. This was very rare and would clear when ignition turned off an on so I didn't worry about it.
A few months ago it became more frequent and my local VW dealer suggested the problem was the stop light switch. They fitted a new one and the situation became worse with the warning lights now coming on every time I drove the car. I took it back and they checked with diagnostics and said it was an intermittent problem and was not critical and could require a brake sensor or a complete ABS unit at around £800. Since it wasn't affecting braking and would clear with ignition switched off and on I held on getting them to repair. Now I'm experiencing other problems. I have an oil warning light come on and then go off after a few seconds twice in the last couple of weeks (oil levels all ok) and now my alarm keeps going off. I've cleaned the internal sensors but it still keeps going off. It will be ok for a few hours or even a day and then will start going off frequently. Interestingly the manual says that if you lock the car with the key twice within one second the alarm is not turned on. But if I do this the alarm still goes off.
I read somewhere that a duff battery can cause problems. This car still has the original, although I've never had problems with starting. could this be the problem? Could it be an earth problem?
Or could it be the water in the footwell/ECU unit I've heard about. To check this, do I really need to take the passenger seat out or can I get a reasonable enough visual by just lifting the carpets?
Lastly I have one other problem that has just started. I seem to be using a lot of coolant (about 1/2 to 1 litre per week/400 miles). I can't see any evidence of a leak or water in the oil or white smoke, any ideas on how I can find it?
Sorry about the long list ... hope someone can help.
Regards,
Tel254