I knew it was coming - my first warning light

[Zann]

On my way back from Thanksgiving dinner with the family (200 miles round trip) I was reaching for my Coke and drifting ever so slightly to the right so that my passenger side just barely passed the white line and flirted with the rumble strip for a second. You know, the 'wake your ass up' strip they put on the shoulders of highways now.

Anyway, I rode the strip for less than a second but bam, I got two warning lights right then on the dash. One was ABS and the other was a warning triangle with a arrow curving around it. Everything on the car felt normal and about ten miles later I stopped at a gas station and went to grab another drink as a excuse to turn the car off for a bit. Once started back up the triangle light went out and the ABS light stayed on about ten seconds then went out - everything normal rest of trip.

My question is, am I prone to see this kind of thing more often from a part starting to go bad or was the electronics and car in general not liking the vibration of the rumble strip?

Other than that, my week old Beetle was a dream for the trip. The cruise control in 6th gear held its own on inclines and made a otherwise boring drive seem fun. I even watched some kids punch each other in the next lane

[FreqWiz]

The warning lights were Traction Control and ABS...there is a small chance that the vibrations knocked something loose on the right side of the car, but I bet more then anything the right tires floating over the rumble strips caused a difference in speeds at the right wheels to the left and threw the codes.....

[Zann]

Originally Posted by FreqWiz

The warning lights were Traction Control and ABS...there is a small chance that the vibrations knocked something loose on the right side of the car, but I bet more then anything the right tires floating over the rumble strips caused a difference in speeds at the right wheels to the left and threw the codes.....

That sounds like a plausible explanation. I'll go with that and hope to not see any of the lights again. The computer may have thought a loss of control was imminent.

I just got back from looking under the car for anything out of place and noticed my front driver side directional tire is on backwards and is going backwards Its not worn any more than the others but better get that reversed on the rim this weekend.

[gt4494]

That happened to me. It was intermittent for a while and then gave me a hard fault for the Left Front ABS sensor (used Vag-Com to diagnose). Found one on-line from a vendor in Fl. 2 day delivery, 30 minutes install and problem went away. I think it was $14 in parts and 30 minutes my labor.

Good luck

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Originally Posted by Zann

noticed my front driver side directional tire is on backwards and is going backwards .

Think the rumble strip did that too? jk! LMFAO

[FreqWiz]

Originally Posted by MyOtherRidesAVette

Think the rumble strip did that too? jk! LMFAO

LOL

[Zann]

Originally Posted by MyOtherRidesAVette

Think the rumble strip did that too? jk! LMFAO

I'm not a mechanic by any means so that didn't cross my mind

I am surprised that it took this long for me to notice it though.

[FreqWiz]

I would take it back where you got the tires, if you have had the tires on the car for a few thousands miles, flipping it might cause the belts to shift. If the people that mounted the tires messed it up have them fix it, and make a note so if the belts do separate they have to replace the tire. Also do not let them just replace the one tire, argue it with them, you might be able to get the other front tire replaced by prorating the tire, that way you have two new tires on the front.

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

I can't believe ANY tire shop could be THAT stupid. On second thought, as an employer, relying on employees, yes I can.

[Zann]

I just bought the car last Monday and didn't even notice it at the time. The tires look to be around half life, maybe 60%, so should I even bother at this point?

Its not any more worn than the others and your saying flipping it could actually cause it decay faster?

[digitalputty]

Originally Posted by MyOtherRidesAVette

I can't believe ANY tire shop could be THAT stupid. On second thought, as an employer, relying on employees, yes I can.

Tire shop I went to installed one of my tires inside out. And, the tires were labeled. Anything is possible.

Hope the warning lights are as people here said! :O

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

I would think this would definately create safety and performance issues on wet roads.