Diagnosing accumulator failure?
 

Just became an owner of a '94 S4 and have spent the last week tending to known issues.

One remaining issue is the brake warning light on the dash(orange circle).

All the pads(and sensor wires) look fine. Is it possible that the accumlator is bad? Is there a code I should look for or some other way to diagnose if it's bad?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Cheers! John

Everything you need to know is here.
 

<ul><li><a href="https://www.audiworld.com/search/">&gt;&lt;Clickity&gt;&lt;</a></li></ul>

That is a very simple light.
 

All it does is look for continuity through the pad sensors. When it is on it means that the pads are worn enough to break the wire...or there is a problem in the ciruit somewhere else. As Bill says, search on this, and you will find more info.

Test the sensors at each inboard pad for continuity. If they are good, you get to experience the joy of finding an "open" somewhere in the wiring.

Cliff notes:
The orange circle is a pad wear indicator and has nothing to do with hydraulics.

Re: Everything you need to know is here.
 

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I'll check the continuity on all the pads to see if I've got an issue there. I know there could be a fault even though they look fine.

My manual has a section that states, "if both fluid levels are normal, the pressure for the hydraulic brake booster may be low."

It says on a different page, "The brake warning light will light up if the parking brake is pulled and/or the brake fluid level or the hydraulic brake booster pressure is too low."

Maybe I've got my two lights confused, but the manual lists the brake light as two separate items.

I appreciate the patience and the tips guys. Although I'm no stranger to mechanic work on cars, this is my first Audi and I'm sure I'm in for an education! :-)

Cheers! John

migth be a worth while tip if it wasn't down constantly.

That was the old 1, the new works great

The bomb is an easy test -
 

With the engine off - you should get at least 20 power assisted brake pumps - and I would say - a day after it ran would be more of an indication. (but - what do I know? I've never tried it! Works fine to me!)

4driver4 sums up the continuity problem well - just short it out - and look at the pads regularly. (I used a bit of foil in the connector.)

bill the Cat

(Can anyone supply a proper spelling of the Clouseau (Peter Sellers only - please!) pronunciation of 'Bomb'?)

The light referred to in the section you quoted is the red "BRAKE" light
 

The wear indicator light you see comes on *very* early - like when there is 30-40% left.

Re: The bomb is an easy test -
 

Boemb? ;-)

Thanks guys.

Cheers! John

That's about as close as you can get, I would think. Nice call.