03 plate Diesel passat- stop brake fault

[bigmarkl]

Hello All
new to this forum. Just wondered if anyone out there could shed some light on a fault I have on my 03 Passat, now I have just clocked 100k. Recently, when its very cold weather ( zero or below) and I drive the car, I get a "STOP! BRAKE FAULT, SERVICE MANUAL" flash up on the dash for a few seconds and brake light comes on,then it goes off. It may come on several times during the journey. I have read the service manual, its says ABS problem or brake fluid low. Fluid is ok (between max and min marks). Reluctant to take to VW dealer due to being outragously charged last few times for other minor problems. Has anyone had/got this problem and may offer advice or am I doomed to be ripped off again by dealer...............??

[dirtyderv]

I had the same problem with my Bora, a quick look at the brakes and i realised they needed changed! Got the parts and did it myself and have never seen the fault code since. Make sure you check the front and back ones!

[xaghra]

Many thanks-have checked brakes and they are ok

[martin1810]

You need a code read to point you in the right direction. Could be an ABS sensor not reading correctly.

[PeteK]

I had exactly the same fault on my car during the cold weather. I thought that my brake fluid level was ok; however the reservoir is very difficult to see through and after putting some more fluid in I realised that it was a little low. The problem has not occurred again since. I thing the problem is the brake fluid contracts slightly when colder and expands when warmer. There are no fluid leaks on my car, I think the level had fallen gradually as the brake pads had worn.

I have also read another post where someone experienced the same fault when the battery was about to expire, they claimed changing the battery solved their problem.

[bg158a]

I have had the same problem twice on very cold mornings. Just top up the fluid to the Max and no more problems.

Think the engine running drops the level slightly combined with the cold weather and their is your problem.

Cheers Ben.

[loofy21]

Me too same problem, topped up brake fluid to max and all ok.

[passing]

Many thanks-have checked brakes and they are ok

have you actually got under the car and checked all the pads ? not just the outers - This is in case the outers arestuck and the inner has worn away perhaps ?

[cazyp]

Top brake fluid up to the max.
Take pads out and check they have not worn to the 'low brake warning' insert (usually at bout 75% worn so still look ok to the eye.)
Clean all abs sensors and check they are seated properly.
Check for servo pipe vacuum leak (worn or split pipe to the servo that goes through the bulk head.)

If above fails get a code read done. Approx £40.

HTH