Brake Servo Defect [Archive] - VWWatercooled Australia

cwcarruthers

17-12-2009, 12:13 PM

A few times on startup my MFD has shown a warning:

Brake Servo Defect

It disappears quite quickly. Once the message was also accompanied by a chime.

The brakes feel like they are working fine, and I had Essendon Volkswagen check it out. They did only a very quick visual check and said there was nothing wrong, it was safe to drive. I have however booked it in to get a proper check done just to be safe.

The only other thing is the brakes do make a noticable noise at very low speed - the last 5km/h -> 0km/h I can hear them make a ssshhhhh noise, like the pads on the rotors. This is not obviously bad though and may be unrelated and normal - does anyone else have this noise?

Anyway, in general has anyone seen the error on their Mk VI? Any advice?

Thanks.

Mk VI Golf 118 TSI Reflex Silver + Sport + Leather + MDI

ope126

17-12-2009, 01:37 PM

When it comes to the only things that stop your car, I would get this looked at (maybe even towed) ASAP by Volkswagen...

cwcarruthers

17-12-2009, 01:53 PM

When it comes to the only things that stop your car, I would get this looked at (maybe even towed) ASAP by Volkswagen...

You can imagine I'm a bit stuck, when naturally I'm pretty conservative about these safety things and was thinking like you, but when Volkswagen use the term "safe to drive", what am I supposed to do?

I guess the thing keeping me not too worried is that the car feels absolutely fine, pulls up strong and importantly, consistently. Maybe this is foolish...

Frankenstrat

17-12-2009, 02:39 PM

when Volkswagen use the term "safe to drive", what am I supposed to do?
Get it in writing from the Service Manager, otherwise it's your word against their's if anything goes wrong.

Lima

17-12-2009, 03:15 PM

Just keep driving it, and if you run into the car or wall in front of you you'll know it's time to get it looked at again. :emo_baghead:

At the very least you should be able to do a visual inspection yourself to see if the pads and rotors are in good condition (may need to remove your wheels) and also keep an eye on the brake fluid levels.

If you're still getting no joy from Volkswagen and you are still concerned, then take your car to a brake specialist (or independent VW specialist) so they can have a gander as well.

gregozedobe

19-12-2009, 01:10 PM

If there really is a fault with the brake servo and it stops giving you power assist you will find that the brakes need a MUCH harder push on them to slow you down, so it would be prudent to leave yourself a bit extra braking distance just in case.

I find it slightly odd that the mechanic who "checked" your car didn't hook up the dealer software tool to see if any fault codes were stored.

gracenote

20-12-2009, 12:06 AM

That Brake Servo Defect on the MFD appeared once for me, maybe 3-4 weeks ago (in a less than 5 week old Golf), right after the key was inserted and turned; and similarly disappeared quickly. Freaked me out, but hasn't shown up since (although I haven't been actively looking for it) so I haven't done anything about it. o.0
My brakes seem to be working fine, and no obvious unusual noises..

Let us know how you go with resolving this issue =]

MIRSAD

20-12-2009, 01:04 AM

I am not sure is it related but there is something on this German (mentioned in some other treads) web-site:
http://www.michaelneuhaus.de/golf6/golf6-probleme.htm

06/2009
Service Action for 1.4 TSI DSG
Some vehicles with 1.4 TSI, DSG and the engine control unit must be updated. It may erroneously a failure of the servo assistance is displayed in the instrument cluster. In fact, however, is not an error in the braking system. Vehicles affected are the following chassis numbers range:

WVWZZZ 1K Z 9P 400,007 to 496,917
WVWZZZ 1K Z 9W 400,079 to 584,916
WVWZZZ 1K Z 9W 900,020 to 928,802
Z WVWZZZ 1K AP 000023 to 011934
Z WVWZZZ 1K AW 000113 to 025602
WVWZZZ 1K Z AW 500,116 to 507,674

Corey_R

20-12-2009, 09:59 AM

That's some good detective work. So it may just be an incorrectly displayed message.

logger

20-12-2009, 11:11 AM

Good link Mirsad, Thanks.

Here is is again with the translation done. VW Golf VI - typical faults and problems, recalls (http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=de&tl=en&u=http://www.michaelneuhaus.de/golf6/golf6-probleme.htm)

Also clarifies the 6-speed DSG recall somewhat. Seemingly less than 5% of the recalled cars actually need the software update, but being done to the lot to be sure, to be sure.....

RW1

02-01-2010, 05:10 AM

I have this indication on my new Mk3 Scirocco 1.4TSi.

The link above is sound. To add.......

1) This indication should only be ignored if it is on start-up and lasts for no more than 2 to 3 seconds otherwise consider it to be a fault and discuss with the dealers/garage. Also, if on the move and it appears, consider it to be a hard fault and take precautions because the efficiency of the brakes may be affected.

2) The reason it appears is ECU software timing. The Brake Servo Vacuum sensor is checked on start up before the engine has had time to fully build up the brake vacuum assistance circuit. If the vacuum hasn't dissapated enough since shutting down the engine the last time, the check passes and no indication is seen by the owner. Hence why on start-up it only appears randomly.

3) My "intelligence" leads me to believe that VW are planning to release a software update to the 1.4TSI this month (January 2010) to fix the problem, but it has been delayed from December already, so read as imminent! It will just change the timing (delay) of the initial check the software makes on the sensor.

4) Don't know how updates are completed in Australia but in UK, it would be on owner making comment to the garage or art the annual service as part of all software updates released since last service update. The 1.4TSi had no new updates from October 2009 build as of 22nd December 2009.

C.

vwsp

19-02-2010, 06:50 PM

cwcarruthers

19-02-2010, 06:59 PM

I have the same "defect brake servo" warning on my 118TSI.

The warning, with no chime, has come up probably a dozen times over the last two months (i.e. ever since new).

I also had a failed speedometer when the car had only done about 150km. Yes, the needle went erratic then stopped, started, stopped, started etc. etc. then finally STOPPED for good.

The dealer said that the "defect brake servo" probably had something to do with the broken speedo and would wait until the instrument cluster was replaced. Well, lucky for the digital backup because ...

... 5 weeks later, the speedometer got fixed but the "defect brake servo" warning has since reappeared.

I've called the service manager from the dealer yesterday to again report the fact but he hasn't returned my call ...

Has anyone had this problem fixed?

Cheers,

Thanks for sharing - that is very interesting! Exactly the same symptoms as me (since posting, I get the warning every few weeks, no chime) - although luckily my speedo is fine, for now (4200kms).

Please post once you get a response/action from the dealer (if any!). I discussed it several times with my dealer (Essendon Volkswagen) and beyond doing a visual inspection, they had nothing to say.

Basically I'm just comforting myself with the conclusion that all symptoms make it very very likely to be "just" an electronic glitch, and not actually a problem with the hardware. Of course if my brakes fail, I suddenly won't be so blissfully ignorant.

Ozram

19-02-2010, 09:35 PM

I'm booked in for my 1st service next Friday and have this on my list of warranty repairs required. I'll let you know how I go on.

I'm thinking of printing out the german translated page and showing them.

gregozedobe

19-02-2010, 11:21 PM

If it is a timing thing, then pressing the brake pedal several times before starting the engine (to use up all the vaccum in the servo) might make the warning message appear more frequently, thus confirming the problem is the timing of the check at startup.

vwsp

20-02-2010, 08:34 AM

Thanks for sharing - that is very interesting! Exactly the same symptoms as me (since posting, I get the warning every few weeks, no chime) - although luckily my speedo is fine, for now (4200kms).

Please post once you get a response/action from the dealer (if any!). I discussed it several times with my dealer (Essendon Volkswagen) and beyond doing a visual inspection, they had nothing to say.

Basically I'm just comforting myself with the conclusion that all symptoms make it very very likely to be "just" an electronic glitch, and not actually a problem with the hardware. Of course if my brakes fail, I suddenly won't be so blissfully ignorant.

I will certainly post when this finally sorts but, hey, my current dealer (who I bought the car from and who has serviced it so far) is also yours ... Need I say more? If I don't hear back from the service manager on mon I will then start taking it to camberwell where I had my old Golf V serviced (with
much better service).

Btw I also think we will find out that it is a pure software glitch because I have not had any noticeable braking problems. But, VW has these warnings in their cars for a reason and a VW dealer should take our reports seriously.

vwsp

20-02-2010, 08:37 AM

RW1

20-02-2010, 08:46 AM

Did this on mine at around the time it occurred. Had no effect by pressing the brake pedal/depleting the brake vacumm. Had it 5 times when the Scirocco was under 1,000 miles from new. All random and no obvious reason why. Cold starts first thing in the morning and car only left for 5 minutes. Not seen an occurance since and now at 2,200 miles.

C.

clip

20-02-2010, 09:27 AM

The only other thing is the brakes do make a noticable noise at very low speed - the last 5km/h -> 0km/h I can hear them make a ssshhhhh noise,
Don't know if this is the same problem that I'm having on my Tig, but I'm about to have my 3rd servo/booster put in!

Although I'm not getting the MFD warning, I noticed the shhhh noise. I couldn't work out what was going on then I touched the brake pedal and it went away. Pulled over and stuck my head down near the pedals and sure enough there it was. Just touching the brake pedal it disappears. Anyway, had it replaced. But bugger me, 3 months later and it's doing it again. Back to the dealer and another new one on the way!

I should add that I didn't notice any diminished braking abilty, they still work fine.

prise

20-02-2010, 12:15 PM

2) The reason it appears is ECU software timing. The Brake Servo Vacuum sensor is checked on start up before the engine has had time to fully build up the brake vacuum assistance circuit. If the vacuum hasn't dissapated enough since shutting down the engine the last time, the check passes and no indication is seen by the owner. Hence why on start-up it only appears randomly.C.

There's an easy way to create the right conditions to trigger this condition. With the engine off, pump the brake pedal until you feel the pedal go hard (at this stage all the vacumn in the booster will have used up. Start the engine and see if you get the light. If you do, wait for it to go off, let the engine idle for a few seconds, turn the engine off and restart it without touching the brake. The light should stay off for the second restart.

It is normal for brake boosters to loose vacumn slowly when the car is turned off, but if its losing vacumn over a few minutes without the brake being activated, then it would indicate a slow air leak in the brake servo that needs to be looked at. Most cars will hold vacumn in the brake booster overnight.

Ozram

26-02-2010, 05:53 PM

Well, back from first service and they said that they couldn't replicate the problem. They have also "heard" the supercharger chirp and consider it to be a normal operation. To fix the rear windscreen washer leaking intermittently they blew the washer hoses out.

None of the problems overly concern me at this stage. I guess I'll wait for VW to implement some field fixes for these issues and then (hopefully) the dealer will have had the appropriate technical service bulletin.

Sorry I couldn't relay more promising news guys.

vwsp

27-02-2010, 09:37 AM

Thanks ozram. I don't think VW knows what it's doing re: defect brake servo. I spoke to VW Australia and they could not offer any advice and said all problems must be dealt with through dealer network. They finally got my selling dealer to call me and they said they wld need car for 3 days to check!! Their wait for loan cars and their distance from me has made me decide to try a dealer closer. Just the other day my 'ESP fault' text warning has also come up. See separate thread. Will book in with another dealer and see what happens.

TEMPTN

06-06-2021, 11:50 AM

Bump on this thread . Anyone get a solution or result with this matter .

misterrob

06-03-2025, 05:12 PM

Hi everyone,
First post, so here goes:

I currently own a 2012 VW Golf 118TSI Comfortline (variant) which I've owned for the last 5.5 years. I will cop a lot of stick for this - I love my car, 1.4L twincharged CTHD engine, very fuel efficient and just over 90,000km. I have looked after my car with a lot of care and I haven't had any issues with it - until now.

Over the last couple of months, a brake servo defect notification was displayed on the dashboard and the fault goes away after that. When I brake I don't notice anything different, so I thought - surely it must be a fault and that the issue wasn't happening at all.
And it wasn't until three weeks ago that the brake servo defect notification became quite persistent.

This morning I took it to VolkService in Braeside for a diagnosis check and they found a fault somewhere within the vacuum/pressure sensor. It turns out that it wasn't the sensor itself but it was the brake booster pipe/hose line - and it had a hole in it. Thankfully it was small, and it could have been a lot worse.

Got it replaced - $180 all up inc labour. No more faults!! :)

Hopefully this will help other VW owners experiencing the brake servo defect.

Rob.