Brake alarm

[Heat Seeking Missile]

In the last few days, every time I've set off out somewhere in my S2, I've had an alarm come on the little diagnostic screen on the dash. It comes up in red and says BRAKE. I've had a quick look through the wheel to see if the pads need doing and they appear to be a little low, so I've bought sone new ones.

Would this cause this alarm, or could it be something else?

Mark

[Animal Mother]

Red alarm can be bad.

Low pads, faulty ABS sensors, faulty ABS sensor cables will come up as a green (apologies if this colour is wrong, I'm colour blind) I think.

Res alrms could be ABS controller, low fluid etc.

[Heat Seeking Missile]

I'm working 12 hour days all weekend, will probably have to use the van for work just to be on the safe side. They seem to work fine but its not something to be taking a chance with.

I've never had a green alarm come up on the screen as yet Daz, maybe someone else can confirm this?

Mark

[Animal Mother]

I've never had a green alarm come up on the screen as yet Daz, maybe someone else can confirm this?

Mark

Green, yellow OR amber I think it may be.

[Big Lee M]

Amber is the not so drastic one its the RED one you need to look put for (iirc)

[Knight Rider S4]

Will be pads sensors or fluid low......if there is a ABS fault you will have orange light beside the dash lights (i.e. battery light,handbrake light so on)

[Heat Seeking Missile]

Here's hoping its just the pads then. I got a set off Euro Car Parts as I was passing there today. Earlier tonight that alarm went off 9 times in less than 1/4 mile so something definately seems to be getting worse. No other lights come on, on the dash so fingers crossed.

Mark

[Animal Mother]

Will be pads sensors or fluid low......if there is a ABS fault you will have orange light beside the dash lights (i.e. battery light,handbrake light so on)

Low pads is a red light?

[dan_b]

Red brake light indicates low hydraulic pressure - so you could have low brake fluid levels, have a fluid leak, or it could be the Bomb (the brake pressure accumulator)

[alg]

As dan b says. There is no low pad sensor. Check hydraulic and brake fluid levels and do 'bomb pedal test'. If all OK ignore unless fails to go out within few seconds. Both my S2 and now RS2 have done this. The S2 was a low hyraulic fluid level and the RS2 will do it if not used for a day or two. Cannot find an issue with RS2 although I guess it could be early 'bomb' failure but always passes the test !

[Fat Audi 80]

Also check the Powersteering fluid level and the wiring to the float built into the screw cap of the PS reservoir. This can be "dicky" on mine if I top if up....

HTH

Cheers,

Steve.

[Error404]

could be a dodgy sensor in the brake fluid reservoir if nothing else appears out of the ordinary I've got one for free if you need it

Alex

[Heat Seeking Missile]

Thanks for everyones replies, it turned out to be low brake fluid, so nice and simple to sort out. Topped it up and its been fine since. I really must get an owners manual to tell me what all these symbols and things do.

Mark

[Animal Mother]

Thanks for everyones replies, it turned out to be low brake fluid, so nice and simple to sort out. Topped it up and its been fine since. I really must get an owners manual to tell me what all these symbols and things do.

Mark

Tut tut tut. Bad boy.

[Jas11n]

I really must get an owners manual to tell me what all these symbols and things do.

Mark

Keep an eye on the bay, often see them as they were sometimes grouped with the V6 avant quattro (80 avant quattro)

Until you get one, Mikes site has the Coupe manual which has the same info on the autocheck warnings.

See >>>> here.

Jas..