Warning/Dash Lights

[jlmason94]

Looking at a car (VW Golf Gti MK4) and airbag and abs lights permanently on although both are claimed to be fine, just an issue with sensors. Is this a common problem? Is it easily/cheaply fixed? The car is in mint condition otherwise and with only 80,000 miles, a full service history and only one other owner, so at £1500 seems a great deal.

[C. Grimsley]

It's a hard question to answer, could be a sensor but I guarantee that both won't work as when the lights are on the systems are disabled.

Carl

[valiant]

If it's just a problem with the sensors, why hasn't the seller fixed them?

Seems like the old knackered aircon ruse - 'just needs a regas, innit'.

[Toaster Pilot]

valiant said:

If it's just a problem with the sensors, why hasn't the seller fixed them?

Seems like the old knackered aircon ruse - 'just needs a regas, innit'.

[Northernchimp]

I'd check the airbag is still there.

[jlmason94]

Hmm yeah that's what made me wonder... I might challenge the seller over that to see their response and then possibly get the car checked out because otherwise the car seems a very nice example

[Yodafone]

The airbag light will most probably be the connection under the seat that is causing it which is a easy fix.

For the abs it could be a the brake light switch under the brake pedal causing it, or could really be a abs sensor gone.

[Cliftonite]

They are both MoT failures and potentially very expensive ones, too.

Take care!

Caveat emptor and all that!

[DaveH23]

C. Grimsley said:

It's a hard question to answer, could be a sensor but I guarantee that both won't work as when the lights are on the systems are disabled.

Carl

I had a peugeot 306 years ago and the airbag light was permenantly on for about 2/3 years and it still worked. I found out the hard way.

[crossy67]

Is it ABS or ESP light? The ESP icon is a triangle with circular type arrow in it. ABS units are a bit of a weak point but readily available but there are many different types so you will have to match the unit and it's ECU numbers. If it's the ESP light it could be the steering angle sensor needs calibrating, can need doing after tracking has been done, apparently. Or it could be one of many other things including the Yaw rate sensor, these can go too.

[MG CHRIS]

Air bag light normally the connection under the seat, abs golfs are common for the pressure sensor in the abs pump going faulty repair is £200-250 from ecu testing plus fitting etc. Walk away.

[anonymous-user]

If the warning / failure lamps are lit on the dash, then it's safe to say the systems are most certainly not "fine"..........

[JimmyConwayNW]

Could be an ABS sensor. Could be ABS pump. If car is cheap enough go for it.


Airbag, probably wire under seat, may need a garage to clear fault code as they are high resistance codes.

If the car is £500 cheaper than the next best on go for it.

[Alucidnation]

I have recently learnt that on some VAG cars, these sometimes light up when the battery has drained and its been jump started.

Normally go out when its driven.

[Ozzie Osmond]

jlmason94 said:

airbag and abs lights permanently on although both are claimed to be fine

Unless you are terminally stupid, that says "run away and don't look back".

[jjones]

Cliftonite said:

They are both MoT failures and potentially very expensive ones, too.

Take care!

Caveat emptor and all that!

exactly this

[northwest monkey]

If the problem is that easy and cheap to fix, then why would the seller not bother getting it done. Much easier to sell a car with no stories than one with.

My guess is its had a recent MOT or service & while it's in there the seller has mentioned these lights. Its been plugged in & come back with a healthy quote to fix them. The seller has st themselves & put it on Autotrader with the old "cheap to fix but not got the time" story.

Do a search on Autotrader for "any car" and put in the "Keywords" bit the word "Regas". Full of cars where the aircon isn't working but only needs a regas.....

I'd walk away OP - there are plenty of other cars out there.

Here you go..

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

Edited by northwest monkey on Monday 3rd February 00:36