Braking weirdness.

[mojo]

Hi all,

We have had a strange braking issue happening intermittently for a few weeks now. When coasting up to a stop (say approaching a set of traffic lights), we apply the brake, then release it to coast a bit further, but the car feels like it is still slowing down using the brakes. Then after coming to a stand still, if we release the brake to edge up a bit further, it doesn't move - as if the brake pedal was still depressed.

Somehow, the brake is being applied even though we're not touching the pedal. Even when taking off from a stop, the car sometimes feels a bit sluggish, as if it's being held back by the brakes, until we get up to a decent speed. Anyone come across this before? I'm pretty sure this will be wearing out the brakes faster than normal - not sure what other damage it may be doing.

I'm about to book it in to have it looked at by the dealer, but would be interested on peoples opinions.

Cheers
Sean

[Geedublya]

I had something similar when I was mucking about with my brake light switch. It can prevent the pedal from returning correctly and cause the brakes to be applied.

I would remove it and see if the problem is still occurring.

[letherm]

Hi all,

Then after coming to a stand still, if we release the brake to edge up a bit further, it doesn't move - as if the brake pedal was still depressed.



Hi Sean.

Could this bit be the normal brake hold for a few seconds as in when you're on a hill? It will not roll back for a few seconds to allow you to move your foot from brake to accelerator. The rest sounds like something's wrong :(

[mojo]

Hi Sean.

Could this bit be the normal brake hold for a few seconds as in when you're on a hill? It will not roll back for a few seconds to allow you to move your foot from brake to accelerator. The rest sounds like something's wrong :(

I don't think so, it's definitely not the normal brake hold you get on a hill. It happens on flat or even down hill roads.


I had something similar when I was mucking about with my brake light switch. It can prevent the pedal from returning correctly and cause the brakes to be applied.

I would remove it and see if the problem is still occurring.

I've booked it in to get looked at, so I probably won't go playing with anything myself, but out of interest where is the brake light switch located?

Cheers
Sean

[SBD4]

I don't think so, it's definitely not the normal brake hold you get on a hill. It happens on flat or even down hill roads.



I've booked it in to get looked at, so I probably won't go playing with anything myself, but out of interest where is the brake light switch located?

Cheers
Sean

Switch is right above brake peddle.

[letherm]

Hi Sean.

Just reread your first post. I had trouble with hesitation when turning across traffic at lights before my first service at 6 months. Unless I put my foot down it dawdled around and I nearly had heart failure until I learnt to allow MUCH more room. I mentioned this to the service manager when I put the car in for the service and he said that if the gap between the brake pedal and switch is incorrect the computer thinks you still have the brake depressed and doesn't know what to do so to speak. They adjusted the gap and I haven't had the problem since. So it could be something similar.

Martin

[mojo]

For anyone interested, it appears the problem was the brake booster. Apparently it was catching somehow, and not releasing the brake completely. The assumption is that this was also why we could sometimes start the car without applying the brake.

It's been replaced under warranty. Only got the car back last night, so haven't been for much of a drive yet, but so far it seems to be OK.

Cheers
Sean

[BobD]

I think you might still have the problem until they fix the brake light switch. Hopefully that is not the case for your sake.


When my D4 brake light switch failed intermittently they said it was a software glitch and sent me on my way after updating the software. Two hours later I was being towed to the dealer, unable to move at all, and they found it was the brake light switch, which has been fine ever since it was replaced.


Bob