Park brake warning light

[Arctra]

Hey Derek, I notice that you seem to do some offroad work with your Tig. I cant beleive that you would actually prefer this electronic brake over a real one?

The level of control is greatly lessend with this set-up...unless it is different with the offroad pack? I'm not familiar with your set-up.

With the offroad pack you get hill decent and ascent control, which is a help. Between the engine management and auto box combo being able to compensate for smaller inclines to hold the vehicle stable without rolling, and the autohold for steeper slopes, there is no serious concern with the electronic handbrake. If you have an auto Tig like I do (and I think Derek does) then you just use the Autohold feature which works a treat for most of the times you would want a traditional handbrake. I think it is the manuals that really struggle with the electronic handbrake and would much prefer the "old fashioned" handbrake.

Just like the Tig being massively compromised for offroad use due to the fact that VW know that a vast majority of Tig owners will almost exclusively keep their Tigs on the blacktop, I think manual gearbox Tig's are compromised by the electronic handbrake. If I had a manual I would want a "normal" handbrake like you do. But a majority of Tigs manufactured are auto's, and the electronic handbrake is ideal for them - so manual owners just have to deal with the fact that they have the annoyance of not having a more usable handbrake.

[NZTiguan]

Mine IS an auto and on giving it some more thought I think you guys have a good point, if you have a manual then a "normal" handbrake could be an advantage. I certainly find the eBrake is no "problem" with the auto and off-road it works just great. I don't use the auto-hold off-road cos I'd rather not have the brakes lock up when I "pause" though. Unfortunately I think the "manual owners" aren't much bigger in numbers than the "off-road pack owners" so you're unlikely to see a different handbrake any time soon. I think the new DSG box may change that though because as I understand it they have some of their own off-road issues which may see more people wanting off-road manual Tigs. Haven't seen any reports yet on the new DSG 7 speed so only time will tell, evidently the older DSG doesn't like crawling slowly and pulling big loads slowly so it's not too hot for either towing or off-road.

Cheers

Cheers

[mojo]

Yeah i have had it happen to me once and i think my seatlbelt was off too (had to open the garage door or something)
Need to read up on the conditions.



And Pullstarter, i think you are right but there isn't anyhting tht i have read in the manual about it and i can't really see it so i just hope it works like you said.

I've also noticed that the auto-hold doesn't work if you don't have your seat belt plugged in.

[sambucco]

brake light abnormal operation

Hi,
I had the same problem with my Golf.
It 'fix'-ed it self for few weeks but then one day it lock up the shift gear at the traffic light (when brake light on, cannot shift from neutral to drive).

We disable the automatic lock by removing brake fuse from side fuse box.
Brake lights on can be caused by broken brake lights but in my case it is worse than that.

It is the brake light switch which trigger the brake lights and other automatic braking system, problem. Worn out.

Got it replaced for couple of hundred dollars.
I did make a complaint to VW that this should have put this particular item on a regular service schedule. It caused major safety hazard when it happen to me.

Few weeks after it was fixed, my comfort unit failed (it is the console which control remote lock/power window/dashboard lights ect).
I am sure it has something to do with the break light problem, but the VW dealer said it has nothing to do with it.
Almost 1k spent to replace the console.

So, make sure that you dont have same bad experience as I did.
At least you know what to do when your break system lock your shift gear.
Beware when you pull the fuse, your break light wont light up when you drive!!!
Hope this help.

[Transporter]

Good tip, worth while to make a note in the owner's manual. Just in case.