warning lights - what do they mean?

My problem sounds very similar to others I've read about in other forums but with a small difference. I have an engine warning light on. The car idles poorly, nearly stalling then almost like someone stomped on the gas, the REVs jump very high. The twist is that I also have a brake warning light on constantly. This is the same light that comes on when the ASR is disengaged.

All of this is happening on a 2000 Jetta 1.8T with 80,000 miles. With high miles and a nasty commute, the car is probably due for a breakdown, but I want to avoid being ripped off at the dealer like many other people have experienced. So, do y'all think this is a Mass Air Sensor problem, despite the brake warning light, or is something else happening? I've also read about oxygen sensors causing the idling issue, but again none of this involves the brake warning issue.

If you find out what's happening, let me know because my car is doing the same thing... check engine light has been on for a while now, but today it starting blinking at me.... idling poorly and nearly stalling like you said. Gotta love these "wonderful" vw's

Need more info. Could be MAF, but does the turbo still work? Is the car's brake lights working? Could be a number of things.

I had a number of problems, but the most important was the MAF was going in and out, but not enough to trigger a warning light. Because of this, the fuel injectors were clogged and needed cleaned. Total bill for injector cleaning, new MAF, and diags: $600.

BTW, blinking engine light means stop driving your car and have it towed to the shop!!!! You can cause some serious damage driving your car that way!!!!

Could you have been jacked? It sounds like some kind of package deal you got for $600. The MAF mass air flow sensor probably just needed cleaning pal. HOw could there be a mysterious BTW warning light that someone might not know is as bad as the oil pressure warning light? It also sounds like the standards of dealership by replacing parts.

:eek7: For models 85-92 with the 1.8 engine and possibly symtomatic of later models: When your alternator coil wires wear out and slowly dies your alternator you get a dim lit light and sometime the O2 light comes on with it. If instead your voltage regulator brushes wear out then you get a full lit light and 10 minutes of driving with the lights on. The oil pressure warning can only be scary. Check to see if oil has exploded otherwise the switch has simply worn out. After reading many "on going warning light" problems it seems clear that even small problems can be turned into phony parts replacement if you don't know about cleaning certain parts. :disappoin I am certain that most experience the same type of problem but with different parts replacement/adjustments. But in reality 90% of the time you just need the air flow sensor or MAF cleaned. :eek7:

dumbass...BTW = By the way...I was just warning other posters that driving with the check engine light flashing is a problem.

if u have a 1.8t engine consider looking the diverter valve. that does regulate boost. which may cause power to surge