Flashing brake warning light AND ABS stays on?

[Flopka2]

This is not my day... first I break my antenna, now this...

While driving home from work in snowy conditions (slippy/slidy/sticky), while accelerating from a stop and having a bit of trouble getting going, my ABS light and my brake warning light came on. There was a beep and the brake warning light started to flash and kept flashing until I got home, although my brakes seemed fine.

I can't imagine that it's a problem with my brake fluid, as I recently had the car serviced and all its fluids topped off.

The manual didn't really say anything about an ABS light and flashing brake light.

Is this an emergency? Should I have the brake fluid checked out, or does this indicate some kind of ABS malfunction? The odd thing is that it started when I was accelerating, not braking.

(I have a 2001 NB automatic)

[from Margaritaville...]

check post #7 on this thread first:

http://www.newbeetle.org/forums/show...ight=abs+light

[from Margaritaville...]

also...some interesting ideas on this thread as well:

http://www.newbeetle.org/forums/show...ight=abs+light

[Flopka2]

hmmm...

well, the car was rockin' and rollin' with the slippery snow at the time. Maybe something got loose. I also did get a jump start from AAA a week ago Monday, but the car was fine since then.

I probably should check the brake fluid, but I can't do that in the middle of a blizzard.

[Flopka2]

I am pretty sure this problem is due to a sensor. This morning the ABS light was on when I started the car up, but soon went off... then, just like yesterday, when I got a little stuck in some snow, the flashing red brake light came on with a BEEP and the ABS light came on again. But this time they both went off quickly.

Antilocks work fine, the brakes themselves don't seem soft. I wonder if snow is getting gummed into the works and confusing a sensor.

[noR]

not likely.

But snow could be pulling on the wires & connectors, stretching things, maybe pulling them.

The sensor is basicalyl a magnet next to a round disc w/holes in it.

[Flopka2]

this only seems to be triggered when I am accelerating in heavy snow and getting a little stuck. (and NOT using my brakes at the time)

[noR]

So you'd say the lights are flashing or staying on or whatever it is they're doing....

But brake operation seems overall unaffected?

I dunno if I'd bother w/it.

[seth50k]

Originally Posted by Flopka2

I am pretty sure this problem is due to a sensor. This morning the ABS light was on when I started the car up, but soon went off... then, just like yesterday, when I got a little stuck in some snow, the flashing red brake light came on with a BEEP and the ABS light came on again. But this time they both went off quickly.

Antilocks work fine, the brakes themselves don't seem soft. I wonder if snow is getting gummed into the works and confusing a sensor.

Did you ever solve this? Having the same exact issue.

[Turbomania]

When driving in ice and snow or even rain, if a front wheel starts to loose grip the ABS system activates briefly by stopping the wheel that has lost grip. In my 99 car it's called EDL which stands for electronic differential lock. It was the precursor to stability control before that became standard equipment. It's the only option that did not come with my car. If the ABS light came on and went off by itself it might be a minor problem with a sensor getting wet, etc. The ABS control unit is linked to the main engines control unit and therefore can be scanned with a VAG-COM to find out exactly what is wrong. You said that all fluids were topped off and that brings up another potential problem. Not with the ABS but with your braking systems health. Make sure that DOT 4 brake fluid is always used in your reservoir. Nothing else!!! I recommend a complete brake fluid flush every 50,000 miles or every 5 years or so. Flushing fluid in our cars even with ABS is the same for any car. The electronic portion of the ABS is separate from the hydraulic components so there is no chance of damaging the unit. Never back flush a car with ABS though!
Good luck, JK

[steve0467]

2001 New Beetle GLS 2.0L M/T I had this problem also. In my case it was a blown fuse (7.5 Amp climate control) I replaced the fuse. It immediately blew again I traced the problem to the Thrust sensor on the AC unit. (AKA Hi/Low pressure switch)
The refrigerant was leaking and shorted the switch to ground.
once i unplugged the sensor and inserted a new fuse, the ABS lamp and flashing brake indicator problem was resolved. Other indicators that the climate control fuse is bad, My re-circulate function didn't work (light is on) when activated, The day lights usually come on when you release the hand brake. In my case the lights came on immediately