To start with have you fitted 35w or 55w HIDs.0?

And are these new HIDs CANBUS proof as in they are designed to work without bringing up the bulb failed warning light?

When the brake pad sensor wire embedded in the pads is cut by the rotor, it remains cut so, as you surmise, the pads worn light should stay on permanently until the pads and sensor have been renewed.

 

They're 35. I didn't even have any problems after installing them. I installed them a couple of week ago and this issue started two days ago when I took the car through a high pressure touch car wash.

I was thinking either one of the sensors was knocked loose, or maybe even a pad could have some kind of crack/warp in it.

 

Well you missed out some possibly helpful info from the first post!

You'd have a job to knock one of the sensors loose.

When fitting new pads, some folk try to dig the old sensors out of the pads if the sensor wire hasn't been cut in order to save a few bucks and very often they find the prolonged heat has effectively welded the sensor into the pad.

You could have a break in one of the wires going to the sensor and sometimes it shorts out to bring the light on and sometimes it doesn't, but that still doesn't explain why the light comes on when you turn the headlights on.

 

Thank you for the responses. The light didn't come on as I drove to work today. I even sat in the car turning them on and off (vehicle as well) trying to determine if it was the switch.

Sounds like either cracked pads or a bad sensor somewhere?

 

My touareg did this when I was getting close to a new brake job. The light would come on at random, then it would come on at somepoint during my drive, until eventually it was on all the time.

When it comes on ALL the time is when I would start thinking about a replacement. Make sure when you get the new brakes and rotors, spend the extra money and get new sensors.

 

Thank you, I appreciate the response!

It came back on again as I was parked. I switched the lights on and about a second later, the brake light came on.

So I'm guessing if its not the brakes, do I need to VAG the Touareg for the new HIDs? They're the DDM Tuning kit and I installed the apparent "error eliminator" harness as well..

 

I did not need to VAGcom / VCDS my HIDs when I replaced my halogens.

It seems very strange that the brakes electric circuit can in some way be affected by the headlights circuit.

Silly question - you really are sure it is the worn brake pads warning light that is coming on?

If I were you I, before doing anything else or assuming anything at all, I would remove the HIDs kit and restore the halogen bulbs for a few days to see if the light still comes on.

I'd also get the brakes inspected ASAP!

 

Yeah, I think it is the brakes now. Didn't have the lights on, driving down the highway, hit a moderate bump and the light came on.

I guess its just a strange coincidence that 50% of the time I turn my lights on, that brake pad warning lamp pops up.

Any recommendations for rotors and pads? I'll probably just go ahead and do them all at the same time.

 

Lots of threads on here about brakes.

http://www.clubtouareg.com/forums/f....com/forums/f90/aftermarket-f-r-rotors-pads-hardware-and-sensors-now-11903.html

This is the biggest I think. The guy is well thought of. All parts you need are supplied.

 

Well, now I'm thinking it is the headlights.. its getting frustrating.

I drove about 10 miles with the lights off, parked, let it idle for a minute, then I turned the lights on while in park and the pad light came on.

Would VAG work in fixing this issue? I also have the black wire from the low beams connected to the brown. Is this correct? I read that it was, but I always thought negative was black and is usually black universally.

I can go more in depth with that if you're not sure what I'm talking about.

 

Could be, but as I stated previously when my brakes started going, the light came on at random (though in retrospect there did seem to be a method to the madness).

Can you tell me if your model came with Day Time Running lamps? If it does, that would lead me to believe it is definately the brakes. As your lights being on all the time would have no impact on the brake sensors.

Last can you tell me how many miles are on the vehicle? This will also be another good indicator.

 

It did come with the DRL's, but I had them turned off with VAG before I installed the HID's.

I've got right around 99,600 miles and I know regardless the pad's probably could be changed out in the next 5-10k miles, but that light keep's popping up 90% of the time I turn the HID's on. Whether I'm parked, driving and randomly turn them on, or turn them on before I drive off. It happens more now than it use to.

 

Zatch, what does the brake pad warning light/symbol look like that you say comes on?
Is it accompanied by text on the MFD stating something like "Check brake system"?

 

Yeah, its at the very top of the MFD. It looks like a circle with 3/4 dots on each side and it'll say "check brake pads". Its orange as well.