brake light keeps coming on ????

[mean_green_mk1]

as above top right handside of dash layout in my golf i have the light for the park brake but then above that there is also a light that says brake on it and it keeps coming on any one know what that light is for

[Bora Sport]

I'm going back a few years now but if I remember correctly it is a low fluid pessure light. Mine used to stuff up every couple of years. Try replacing the sender unit on the master cylinder or check it first by taking the wire off and seeing if it makes any difference.

[h100vw]

It's fluid a level light but also comes on with the handbrake too. Check the fluid level first.
Gavin

[syncro]

Golf 1s do not have a brake fluid level light.

The light indicates a difference in pressure between the front and rear circuits. Either one of the brake light/pressure switches is defective or the master cylinder is defective.

[mean_green_mk1]

thanks to all i'll have a look at it this weekend with my dad
cheers

[The_Hawk]

When I bought my Mk1 I was told that light has been on for years and no-one knew how to fix it...

Mind you I picked the car up in Coffs Harbour and didn't notice it most of the way back to Sydney, so who knows if it goes on and off at will.

To my point, after a service where all they did was oil, filters and wheel alignment/balance the light is off. The only sensor like thing that was replaced was the oil sensor which was leaking oil rather profusely.

Is it wired up wrong, was it this other sensor that was the problem?

Either way, it's off now.

[jets]

Golf 1s do not have a brake fluid level light.

The light indicates a difference in pressure between the front and rear circuits. Either one of the brake light/pressure switches is defective or the master cylinder is defective.

The late cars do. My car, built 9/80, has it. The top red light is res. level & the red light directly underneath is hand brake warning light. I have just fitted a new master cyl. today & the light was on during my test drive & went out going up our steep driveway. Adding more brake fluid solved the problem.

[syncro]

The late cars do. My car, built 9/80, has it. The top red light is res. level & the red light directly underneath is hand brake warning light. I have just fitted a new master cyl. today & the light was on during my test drive & went out going up our steep driveway. Adding more brake fluid solved the problem.

That's because one of the circuits ran out of fluid. The brake fluid level indicators are a float that hangs off the cap with a plug on top.


If yours was built 9/80 it must be a private import or do you mean complianced 9/80?

[jets]

Yes mine has a float hanging off the cap with a plug on top. I have just bought the car from the original owner & he most certainly would not have updated the system & the wiring is all original. He did say the car was one of the last sold in SA.
Yes it is complianced 9/80. I don't know where to look for the build date.

[syncro]

Gine me the VIN / Chassis number and I will see what I can find out.

[blackgti1.8]

That's because one of the circuits ran out of fluid. The brake fluid level indicators are a float that hangs off the cap with a plug on top.

If yours was built 9/80 it must be a private import or do you mean complianced 9/80?

Synchro's right - My '79 had two sensors in the master cylinder.
I gather it sensed differential pressure, though I never had a problem with
it coming on...

My '84 GTI OTOH, does have an electrical connection on the brake fluid filler
cap, not that it's connected to anything

Either you really do have a problem with a difference in pressure, or one
the sensors has failed...
Could be an internal seal leaking - do your rear brakes still work?

[jets]

Gine me the VIN / Chassis number and I will see what I can find out.

My chassis no is 17A0195671.
Thanks in advance.

[syncro]

Whoa! That's a genuine 1980! Built in November 1979. Rare as rocking horse **** in Australia!

I've only ever seen one genuine Australian 1980 before.