Passat..ABS light on = headlights quit !

My 97' Passats ABS warning light comes on for no apparent reason and when it does, the headlights and wipers STOP working ! This is an intermitent problem that happens with no warning and lasts for various amounts of time. When the ABS light goes off, everything goe back to normal and works fine !!! HELP !!! Thanks for any suggestions ! ( VR6, 75,000 miles, 5-speed )

Perhaps it's the ignition switch. Try jiggling the key the and turn it slightly the next time things act up.

I am having the exact same problem. I have been trying to pull the code from the car but none of the places have been able to connect to the computer to get the error code. ABS light comes on intermitently, head lights drop, and I also hear a click on the left hand side of the dash, almost like turn signal sound. Car is 1997 VW Passat GLX w/ 77,000 miles.

From talking to people they seem to think that it is a ABS sensor on one of the wheels. However, with the headlight issue it make me wonder if it is the computer or ????

I tried the ignition suggestion and it did not make a difference. I know that there is an ignition problem with these since they extended the warranty for that on my car. However, I did not think that it was causing problems like this.

Anyone who has any ideas please let me know.

***Followup***
I tried the ignition suggestion again and it did help. So I dug up the letter from VW about the extension of the Ignition switch warranty. The letter states that they extended the warranty to 8year/100,000 miles and it covers the electrical portion of the ignition switch on 1996-1997 Passat and Jetta vehicles.

Quote: It is possible that, under certain conditions, the electrical portion of the ignition switch of affected vehicles could become inoperative due to a combination of unfavorable manufacturing tolerances, especially if a heavy bundle of keys is regularly attached to the ignition key. In cases where the electrical portion of the ignition switch malfunctions the windshield wipers, headlamps and air conditioning system could become inoperative immediately after the engine is started.

So it does not directly say the Brake/ABS light or while you are driving but it certainly seems feasible. I am going to make an appointment to get it changed out and see if that fixes the problem. I also noticed that the rear defroster goes off when this happens.

Thanks for the input! The ignition switch does seem to be the problem. The key will not stay all the way to the right (on) with enough tension.....But when I mannually keep it all the way to the right, the ABS light goes out and everything returns to normal!..........Very strange!
I guess I will look into getting VW to fi it ! Thanks again. Steve

Ok, I had the switch replaced yesterday. It seems to have fixed the problem I was having.

Had the same thing happen 2 years ago. About 18 months ago, VW issued a recall notice for it. Ignition switch bad. I sent them my charges and actually received a check to cover the expenses. Might want to give it a try.

If you notice the ABS light starting to come on, this is the first warning sign. Dealer should be able to replace for no charge. I found out before the recall in a snowstorm at night in Idaho. Lights went out all of a sudden. NOT Good.

Had the same thing happen 2 years ago. About 18 months ago, VW issued a recall notice for it. Ignition switch bad. I sent them my charges and actually received a check to cover the expenses. Might want to give it a try.

If you notice the ABS light starting to come on, this is the first warning sign. Dealer should be able to replace for no charge. I found out before the recall in a snowstorm at night in Idaho. Lights went out all of a sudden. NOT Good.


Hey,
It seems like I am having the same problem. However, I brought the car into a VW dealership and they just called and said that it is not the ignition switch but the ABS control unit ($800) and perhaps an additional hydraulic control unit ($1,125). Yikes! When I ask why the other things were happening like the headlights and heater fan going out, they suggested that these might be additional problems. I'm a bit skeptical. Any thoughts?

If the "additional problems" involve the ignition switch, have that done first. Then if the ABS problem persists adress it seperately.

You should definitely check to see if the ignition switch has been replaced first. I bought my 96 Passat new so still get all notices. This should be covered.

I did find listing on internet for recall notice reading as such:

Volkswagen Has Recalled the 1996 Passat
(SafetyAlerts) - Volkswagen Has Recalled the 1996 Passat because of an electrical problem.
.

Number of Units Affected: 10450

Manufactured: 08/1995 - 12/1995

Defect Summary:
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ELECTRICAL PORTION OF THE IGNITION SWITCH ASSEMBLY CAN FAIL CAUSING THE HEADLIGHTS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Consequence Summary:
IF SUCH FAILURES OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE AT NIGHT OR IN RAINY OR SNOWY WEATHER, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRICAL PART OF THE IGNITION SWITCH ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING SEPTEMBER OR OCTOBER 2002. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-822-8987.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 02V256000.

Hope this helps

Karlos69

If any of you live in Chicago, beware Lynch WV.

We insisted they change the ignition switch first. This corrected everything.

Lynch not only misdiagnosed the problem, nearly sticking us with a $800-$2,000 bill for a new ABS system, but they had to be told what the actual problem was and that it was, in fact, under extended warranty.

Despite this, they had the nerve to charge me a $120 diagnostic fee!

Our local dealership has resorted to charging a $60 diagnostic fee even on regular warranty items, I was astounded they feel they can get away with it. I've never seen such a thing; If it's under warranty & the check engine light comes on & they fix the problem under warranty, they still charge you for the diagnostic. I wonder if VWOA knows about this practice?

I have exactly the same problem with 99 Passat 1.8T I just got today. Both ABS waraning and brake light come on from time to time. Brakes seem to be ok. Someone suggested to check the wires for connections near the pads while someone is in the car watching the brake lights. I'm not sure if this will help after checking this site it seems to be more serious problem. Any suggestions?

I have successfully traced in the fault in the Passat's Bosch ABS module!!!

Now in the process of locating a suitable replacement component and will be offering rebuild services for all VW's with the Bosch 5.3 ABS/TCS unit in a matter of days.

Expected rebuild should be in the $225.00 price range and carry a 3 year warranty.

First beta test units are now being serviced and in process of testing. Please email me at [email protected] or www.modulemaster.com if you have a bad Bosch 5.3i unit. Rebuilds are expected to begin early February.