ImprezaGuy

My ABS seems to be working and the brake fluid reservoir is filled up. Do these lights come on when the brake pads have worn down, or is it something more serious? TIA.

CC Rider

Low brake fluid is the first thought, but you've already checked that.

I have a very old (1971) car that has the following behavior: when the pressure between the front brake system and the rear brake system becomes unbalanced, the brake light on the dash lights up. This indicates a problem, usually at one end of the car, like a bad caliper or wheel cylinder or something. This is usually accompanied by low fluid in the master cylinder.

I don't know, but maybe modern Audi cars have a similar system for warning of problems in the brake system.

when you say that your ABS "seems to be working", what do you mean? Did you test it? ABS is easy to test so that you will know for sure whether it is working or not. Find a street with no traffic or kids playing nearby. Get your car up to about 35 MPH and hit the brakes hard and hold them until you stop. You should feel the ABS kick in as it pushes back on the pedal at you. Without a test like this, I don't know how to determine that the ABS is working at all.<p><b>Drew S.</b> <a href="http://members.aol.com/drewinva/audi/" target="drewinva"><img src="http://members.aol.com/drewinva/images/98.5.jpg" border="0" align=center></a> <b>98.5 A4 2.8 qm</b>

art4

My lights on my dash have just come on recently also. what is wierd, is that it does not come on,not always, at first, but after I have been driving down the road. Sometimes right when I start and sometimes just randomly. Once it is on, it stays on until the car is shut off. I am just quoting this to see if this to see if this is similar to your problem. Oh and I have checked my pads, they are fine and so are the rotors ,even though the make a scrubbing/grating noise. I have talked to a mechanic and he will look at them when he changes my t-belt, pump etc... How many miles do you have on yours?

ImprezaGuy

when I have the timing belt changed in the next couple of months. And yes, mine is the same as yours. It doesn't always come on right away, but usually within the first minute. Sometimes it does come on right away. At first, I was able to turn off the car and restart it, and it wouldn't come back on at all. Lately, though, it's been coming on no matter what (that's why I suspected the brake pads).

ChuckH

...can easily test the syatem and find the problem.<p><img SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/A4xtsg5.jpg" BORDER=0></a>
2000 Nissan Xterra SE V6 4x4 (personal)
'98 A4 2.8 Q-Tip (business)

ChuckH

<p><img SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/A4xtsg5.jpg" BORDER=0></a>
2000 Nissan Xterra SE V6 4x4 (personal)
'98 A4 2.8 Q-Tip (business)