What does this mean?

[David McLaughlin]

My 914/6 owners manual is incomplete and I can not find any referance to this light in the 914 manual. What is this idiot light and when it's lit, what does it mean? Then, what do I do about it? It flickers off an on unless I'm under heavier acceleration, then it's off.



All ideas, comments and suggestions welcome.



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Dave
1970 914/6
1995 Golf GTI-VR6
1996 Passat TDI
djm914-6@mediaone.net
http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/pmpre/pm.cgi?action=display&login=DJM914-6

[paulhagedorn]

I would say it is some kind of shift light telling you to shift to the next gear.

Paul

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

That's the brake warning light. It comes on under two circumstances: 1--if the handbrake handle is pulled up, 2--if part of the brakes' hydraulic system has been opened up.

I suggest checking two things first. Check to see that the handbrake handle is all the way down (the inner/rear part, actually, since this is the early folding handle), and that the "bump" on the bottom is actually pressing the button on the floor that shuts off the light. And also find the reset button on the brake master cylinder (should be on the side right next to where the wires plug in, look for a rubber nipple and press that).

The behavior under acceleration, though, makes me think that there might be a wiring problem. If the wire from the warning light to the handbrake button or to the M/C switch is shorted to ground anywhere, the light will blink. It may be that the wire is shorted, but under hard acceleration the wire gets pulled away from the ground.

Anyway, check those bits out and see what you can find.

--DD

[paulhagedorn]

Man, i remember seeing that thing a while ago in a posting or something and knew that answer! Memory just fails me sometimes. Dave is correct, of course...wouldn't expect anything less from the tech question winner!

It is the same as the big light on the top of the gauge for the 4 cylinder cars.

Paul

[David McLaughlin]

Well, I feel better knowing that it's not related to my engine. Now, What to do. I have never seen this light on for the year I have owned the car, and I use the emergency brake religeously. Dave is (of course again) correct about the folding brake handle. Where would I find this switch and where does the wire run to? Since there is obviously an electrical problem, Are there any suggestions as to what to do to fix it? And I though only the Brits had so many electrical problems.

Thanks for putting my mind to ease.



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Dave
1970 914/6
1995 Golf GTI-VR6
1996 Passat TDI
djm914-6@mediaone.net
http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/pmpre/pm.cgi?action=display&login=DJM914-6

[paulhagedorn]

Never seen a 914-6's switch, but most likely the switch is the same as the /4's. Pull up the parking brake handle, and look underneath it. On the front box beam, the one that runs underneath the seat, there is the switch. It has a button that sticks up and is pushed down by the parking brake when the parking brake is disengaged. I believe it is held in with two screws, maybe one. The wire runs out of a hole in the box beam and goes back towards the fire wall, then goes to the center tunnel...at least, I think. Not exactly sure where it connects, though.

Paul

[paulhagedorn]

Oh, one thing you might want to check, which will be obvious when you look at it, is to see if it is stuck in the down position...try pushing it in a little further and wiggling it. It may break free...if not, start looking for another one.

[scotty914]

the switch on my 75 is the same as the door light switch



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scott thacher
75 1.8 running at last
75 under rust
(fine german rust)

[PeteD]

Those brake handle switches tend to disentigrate over the years. The good news is that a replacement switch, the same as many VW door switches, is cheap and easy to replace.

[JmuRiz]

My car had a handbrake switch that would not turn on. After some wiggling and a shot of spray lube it works as if new. Give that a try first. Good luck.

Nathan