MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => How to Guides / Troubleshooting => Topic started by: rashg60 on April 25, 2016, 10:13:27 am

Title: Brake Failure
Post by: rashg60 on April 25, 2016, 10:13:27 am
Hi guys,

I was driving uphill yesterday at 40-50mph and applied the brakes slightly when approaching a bend in the road. The brake pedal started to shudder and the brakes were completely non-existent. I let go and applied the brake pedal once again and nothing happened. Obviously at this point I sh*t myself but as I was going uphill, I came off the accelerator and down-geared. I applied the brake pedal once again and it worked fine with no juddering or anything and I drove home as per normal.

The brakes have been checked very recently and they are all fine with lots of life in them. Brake fluid has also been changed very recently. There are no warning lights displayed on the dash.

As you can imagine, this has scared the life out of me and I don't want to drive the car until this is resolved.

Any help would be appreciated.
Title: Re: Brake Failure
Post by: xjay1337 on April 25, 2016, 11:58:20 am
(https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/538226654926368768/1I82t25w.jpeg)
Title: Re: Brake Failure
Post by: Paradox1 on April 25, 2016, 12:02:19 pm
Damn, that's scary,

Possible air leak in the system? I'm not sure where to start tbh.

Can always get your ABS system scanned to see if anything is found in the logs
Title: Re: Brake Failure
Post by: Paradox1 on April 25, 2016, 12:03:02 pm
(https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/538226654926368768/1I82t25w.jpeg)

You are such a clown. :D :D :D
Title: Re: Brake Failure
Post by: AJP on April 25, 2016, 12:18:08 pm
Wow. Lucky this happened where you could keep control.

I think it's wise to leave the car until you know it's sorted.

I remember when something similar happened in my old mk4. I was doing about 10mph at the time, felt quite lucky myself.

Best of luck with it Rash. I've got that rear bumper for you by the way.
Title: Re: Brake Failure
Post by: rashg60 on April 25, 2016, 02:19:34 pm
Thanks guys - don't really know where to begin. Was hoping someone else had been through the same thing (and lived to tell the tale).

Would I have to use Vagcom to get the ABS system scanned?
Title: Re: Brake Failure
Post by: Dan_FR on April 25, 2016, 02:47:38 pm
It sounds like the ABS cutting in when it shouldn't - possible sensor or the ring gear issue?
Title: Re: Brake Failure
Post by: rashg60 on April 25, 2016, 03:08:09 pm
It sounds like the ABS cutting in when it shouldn't - possible sensor or the ring gear issue?

How do I go about checking off these things?
Title: Re: Brake Failure
Post by: r5gtt on April 25, 2016, 08:23:42 pm
(https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/538226654926368768/1I82t25w.jpeg)
:slap:
Title: Re: Brake Failure
Post by: rashg60 on May 08, 2016, 08:38:54 am
Bit of an update:

Had the car hooked up to a computer and there were two faults: ABS speed sensor failure on both rear wheels. So I located some threads where people had similar issues, removed them and cleaned them, and everything went back to normal.

Had a go at removing them yesterday but they snapped/wouldn't come out and in the end broke. So I had to purchase 2 new ABS speed sensors from TPS (£111 for the pair). All fitted now and I took car for a test drive yesterday.

There are some warning lights displayed which have not cleared (they usually clear after a drive): ABS, EPS, Brake and steering lights are all illuminated. Would I have to hook up to a computer to remove the lights or should they just disappear as new parts have been fitted.

I forgot to mention in my first thread that the above lights (minus the steering light) used to come on intermittently/randomly now and again. But would always disappear when the car was switched off and on again.

PS - I also changed the fuel filter yesterday too.
Title: Re: Brake Failure
Post by: Mitch H on May 08, 2016, 10:13:06 am
Have you just changed the sensors or the wheel bearing? When it's an intermittent fault like yours it is usually the pick up on the wheel bearing
Title: Re: Brake Failure
Post by: rashg60 on May 08, 2016, 05:21:30 pm
I actually replaced the sensors.

Took it for a long drive today and all the lights mentioned previously have cleared and there are no more issues.

However, the airbag light has now illuminated! It's never ending!
Title: Re: Brake Failure
Post by: rich83 on May 08, 2016, 05:58:38 pm
(https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/538226654926368768/1I82t25w.jpeg)

You are such a clown. :D :D :D

How long did it take you to realise???? :thinking:
Title: Re: Brake Failure
Post by: dazza on May 08, 2016, 06:42:00 pm
Did the pedal drop a lot more than normal when you had the juddering?
Title: Re: Brake Failure
Post by: rashg60 on May 08, 2016, 08:24:54 pm
Not really - just the normal braking drop.
Title: Re: Brake Failure
Post by: r5gtt on May 08, 2016, 11:30:57 pm
Clear all the fault codes and see what happens.
Title: Re: Brake Failure
Post by: rashg60 on May 09, 2016, 09:33:13 am
Gonna give it a go and see what happens.
Title: Re: Brake Failure
Post by: r5gtt on May 09, 2016, 02:48:46 pm
Good show.

dude you've had some nice cars there including my favourite 225 tt mk1 and surprised you haven't leant how too's yet :signLOL:
Title: Re: Brake Failure
Post by: rashg60 on May 09, 2016, 05:59:56 pm
Yeah gotta agree the 225 TT is a good all-rounder.

Not sure what you mean by your comment though?
Title: Re: Brake Failure
Post by: r5gtt on May 09, 2016, 08:47:55 pm
Had mine 5 years strong without any major issues and still miss it  :sad1:

Thought you'd be a lot more clued up on fault finding without prejudice of course  :smiley: