View Full Version : Brake warning symbol but no problem with brakes or fluid!
Dudey Head
29-07-2008, 01:53 PM
The brake warning symbol flashed up on the little diagnostic screen the other day, which it has done in the past, which on further investigation was flagging up the fact that a calliper had seized. (The car is a 1994 coupe 2.6, FWD) As discussed in a recent thread in this section, the sensor works on the brake fluid level. From previous experience, & the fact that the front nearside disc looked like the pad wasn't making contact on the inside of it, I got it checked out.
It seems this is just a discolouration in the disc and the callipers are free, the discs and pads have plenty of life left in them and wearing evenly & the brake fluid level is fine! :confused:
I'm suspecting the sensor's gone a bit skew-whiff, anyone got any thoughts on it?
The brake lines to the back were replaced after an advisory on the last MOT, & apparently the front ones were fine.
Any ideas one way or the other gratefully received!
scotty33
29-07-2008, 08:20 PM
The alarm can mean 3 things,
low brake fluid level
low hydraulic oil level
low hydraulic pressure
As the brakes are hydraulic assist, a hydraulic problem can become a braking problem!
Suggest you check the hydraulic oil level, if it needs topping up you must use hydraulic mineral oil, ideally Audi spec g00 2000 or g00 4000 which is the new version. Some people use Citroen LHM which does not seem to cause any problems, but avoid normal PAS/ATF fluid like the plague!
If the hydraulic oil level is ok, you may have a dodgy pressure switch (which is on the underside of the hydraulic 'servo'). You might want to read up about the system testing
at 20v.org
http://20v.org/brakprob.htm
Dudey Head
30-07-2008, 09:37 AM
The alarm can mean 3 things,
low brake fluid level
low hydraulic oil level
low hydraulic pressure
As the brakes are hydraulic assist, a hydraulic problem can become a braking problem!
Suggest you check the hydraulic oil level, if it needs topping up you must use hydraulic mineral oil, ideally Audi spec g00 2000 or g00 4000 which is the new version. Some people use Citroen LHM which does not seem to cause any problems, but avoid normal PAS/ATF fluid like the plague!
If the hydraulic oil level is ok, you may have a dodgy pressure switch (which is on the underside of the hydraulic 'servo'). You might want to read up about the system testing
at 20v.org
http://20v.org/brakprob.htm
Hi Scotty, cheers for that. Mine has seperate brake fluid & power steering fluid, it's not one of the combined hydraulic fluid systems. Does that mean that common or garden PAS fluid will do, or do I need the hydraulic fluid for that? I'll scour the manual actually, that'll tell me what to put in. I'm going to get it scanned in the next few days & see if there's a code.
Cheers. :approve:
cactusgreen
30-07-2008, 01:54 PM
They aren't common fluid but linked....brake fluid operates the brakes, hydraulic fluid runs the the PAS and it's a tandem pump - also runs the power assistance/reserve for the brakes - as apposed to a vaccuum servo running on air....
If both are full, then it could be the pressure accumulator AKA 'the Bomb' on it's way out or a leak. *EDIT * just spotted the 20v link...has all the info and testing etc....
As scotty33 said ONLY use the Audi fluid for the PAS - it's a green colour, so if you have anything else I'd want to get it out...normal PAS fluid rots the seals on the rack...
Dudey Head
30-07-2008, 02:48 PM
They aren't common fluid but linked....brake fluid operates the brakes, hydraulic fluid runs the the PAS and it's a tandem pump - also runs the power assistance/reserve for the brakes - as apposed to a vaccuum servo running on air....
If both are full, then it could be the pressure accumulator AKA 'the Bomb' on it's way out or a leak. *EDIT * just spotted the 20v link...has all the info and testing etc....
As scotty33 said ONLY use the Audi fluid for the PAS - it's a green colour, so if you have anything else I'd want to get it out...normal PAS fluid rots the seals on the rack...
hokey dokey! Cheers :approve:
Dudey Head
12-08-2008, 12:53 PM
I meant to post this a week or so back, the hydraulic fluid level was low, in the seperate vessel from the brake fluid. I topped it up with nice green-coloured Halfords Central Hydraulic Fluid that states compliance on the bottle with G00 2000. Thanks for the advice chaps!
No more warning symbols, problem solved!! :approve:
Hex69
12-08-2008, 01:13 PM
I meant to post this a week or so back, the hydraulic fluid level was low, in the seperate vessel from the brake fluid. I topped it up with nice green-coloured Halfords Central Hydraulic Fluid that states compliance on the bottle with G00 2000. Thanks for the advice chaps!
No more warning symbols, problem solved!! :approve:
DH, just reading this, you mean you've actually used the forum for something constructive. :Blush:
Dudey Head
17-08-2008, 01:45 AM
DH, just reading this, you mean you've actually used the forum for something constructive. :Blush:
Once or twice!! Don't tell anyone though... I'll give you 50p & a bag of pick & mix if you don't. I got a reputation to keep! :p ;)
Hex69
18-08-2008, 08:33 AM
Once or twice!! Don't tell anyone though... I'll give you 50p & a bag of pick & mix if you don't. I got a reputation to keep! :p ;)
Blimey O'Reilly!!!!:p;):p
cookie7354
17-10-2008, 09:57 PM
Hello all nothing like bringing back an old forum but does anyone know how much power steering fluid i require for my 2.6 cab and whats the best way to drain the crap i have in there at the moment. (Red Stuff)
many thanks
Dudey Head
19-10-2008, 12:31 PM
Erm, I don't quite understand what you mean by how much? Do you want to know how much to buy to drain & replace it all?
scotty33
19-10-2008, 08:41 PM
Hi Cookie,
this link should cover it: http://20v.org/pentosin.htm
good luck!
cookie7354
20-10-2008, 10:20 PM
Hi Scotty many thanks for the link its just what i require, i will be getting on with it this weekend as the car is in the garage for winter. I want to get rid of the red ATF thats already in there and replace with G00 2000 the good green stuff ive read about here.
kind regards
Cookie
cookie7354
26-10-2008, 06:35 PM
Many thanks for the info took me 10 minutes to syphon out the red stuff and replace it with good old mineral.
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