Brake system warning light

[Steve T]

Hi all, Brake warning light staying on, have checked handbrake switch opperation this is ok, Master cylinder at level it should be (max level indicator) brakes seem to be stoping me without noticable extra effort required, so could this be the brake failure warning light (bfwl) switch fault, or is it actualy indicating a fault with the master cylinder. I guess the bfwl is set of by loss of pressure to primary or secondary system? Primary = Front, Secondary = Rear. Have felt wheel / brake area after a run and front and rear feel hot after checking (braked hard when braking to generate a bit of heat) If I can't sus whats wrong will get proffesional help to sort (son in law a Honda (car) spanner monkey but brakes are brakes). Suggestions / advice much appreciated please. I thought brake systems were split primary and secondary to opposite corners, Offside Front & Nearside Rear, Nearside Front & Offside Rear? Thanks for reading, BIG thanks if any one can shed light on this and turn OFF the light.

Steve

[kevtherev]

it's just a fluid level indicator... and it may just be stuck
take it out and check it's operation.

or the other handbrake switch may be earthing out

[Steve T]

Hi kevtherev, have checked, there is no float or wires going to top of filer cap, there are 2 plugs on bottom of master cylinder rear most one is brake light switch, and other I guess is a pressure switch / partial failure switch mounted around mid point on cylinder from servo end. (Haynes mentions Brake fail warning light swithch if fitted) Any idea where these are easily obtainable from / can't see any name on mast -cyl. Checked also wiring, connections, earths etc all seems ok, will get this double checked. Looks like it will need to be removed for any refurb and hope to get service kit. May try to bleed brakes first to freeshen fluid see if it may be contaminated fluid. Defo try the easy / cheaper repair before I spend too much, but brakes are the most important item compared to the "NUT" holding the steering wheel, especially if it's a T25 "NUT", it seems to be true, fix one thing and another comes along.
1984 1.9 DG water/c

[kevtherev]

Firstly I must apologise... having spent the week tracing braking faults with a Rover mini there is of course no fluid level indicator on a VW

I have looked at the Haynes myself and can see that apart from an earthing fault, the switch on the master cyl is a suspect, if you disconnect the switch , does the light go out?

[Steve T]

kevtherev...........Problem now fixed, after laying upside down, head between pedals, head light on looking like a dalek, sweating like a pig and swearing and inventing new swearwords as I went, pulling the plug off brake failure switch (with my digger bucket hands not easy) still had warning light on so must be wire / earth fault, checked all connections (again) all seemed ok, pulled multipin plug off warning light in dash and cleaned contacts on printed curcuit within switch and hey presto light is now out and only comes on when handbrake applied.......Much thanks for your help and advice and making me go back and check again........wonder what else will be next........I can supply new swearwords on request if needed but I after reading others exploits on this forum they have probably been uttered already, they really help to resolve problems.....don't they??

Steve

[Mocki]

ahem! There is a fliud level sensor in the brake/clutch res, just not on early vans....... later ones have them, just FYI, and the owners of late vans with simular faults to sort........

[Steve T]

I deduce that the switch is fluid level warning as well as brake failure warning, does brake failure warning mean low fluid? .....Earth problems & live contact problems seem to be the norm. Is it possible to fit a steam engine in a T25 and fit Tilly lamps for the lighting system to overcome the many problems? braking could be done via handbrake to the 4 wheels........scrub that, would need trailer full of coal.......but if cheaper than perol may be an option.

Thanks all

Steve

[kevtherev]

you deduce correctly

the haynes is not very helpful with this I was going on their illustrations...

however upon looking in the binnacle I see mocki is correct as mine has said level switch

Is it possible to fit a steam engine in a T25 and fit Tilly lamps for the lighting system to overcome the many problems? braking could be done via handbrake to the 4 wheels........scrub that, would need trailer full of coal.......but if cheaper than petrol may be an option.

that's the spirit!