red lights flashing on the dash

[tonywitney]

Hi All,

I think I have this one sussed, but not sure. I've just bought a 1993 Audi 80 Cabriolet, and apart from the roof problems, when I turn the ignition on, the usual red lights come up, plus the water coolant light and the brake pad lights (I'm assuming they are pad lights; they are next to each other on the CWP panel) start flashing. When I turn the engine on, the lights go out, so I am assuming these are just low level warning lights.

Now, the water level is low, so I'm assuming that that is the reason why the water light is flashing. I'll top that up tomorrow morning. However, I took a look at the wearpads through the alloys, and they all seem OK!

I don't have a handbook yet, so can't confirm the actual light meanings!

 

[atc]

All 80s were fitted with ABS the flashing red light is a brake system check light and should go out within 1 min of start up. If it doesn't you may have a problem with your ABS sensors rather than your pads. Best to have it pluged into a system checker at an Audi dealer or specialist to find out where the problem lies. Having said that you could do a quick check that the wires to the wheel sensors are intact and in place. It can be a nightmare checking each potental component your self though. Good luck

 

[tonywitney]

All 80s were fitted with ABS the flashing red light is a brake system check light and should go out within 1 min of start up. If it doesn't you may have a problem with your ABS sensors rather than your pads. Best to have it pluged into a system checker at an Audi dealer or specialist to find out where the problem lies. Having said that you could do a quick check that the wires to the wheel sensors are intact and in place. It can be a nightmare checking each potental component your self though. Good luck

Hi there, thanks for the reply. The 2 lights in question only flash when the key is in the ignition and turned to electrics on. When I start the car, all lights go out immediately.

Thanks for answering the question on the hood fault too. I now think it is an electric roof, mainly due to the button on the centre console!

It still won't work though, and I read somewhere that a faulty brake light would cause that to happen. Just got someone to check my brake lights, and one isn't working, so I'll try that this afternoon.

 

[tonywitney]

Brake lights fully operational, so am going to get the back screen replaced and the hood workings checked out up at Coventry.

 

[enda1]

The warning lights only come on when the igintion is turned on to show that the warning lights are functioning correctly and should go out when the engine is started. So if you don't see the lights you know the bulb is blown or some other part of the check system is at fault. As to to the coolant light, this is a temp sensor that comes on when the coolant gets really hot and is not a level sensor, it won't tell you if you are loosing coolant so don't rely on it. If your car is low on coolant them top it up and check it daily to ensure you haven't got a leak.
On the audi 80 to properly top up the coolant you have to warm the engine up (to allow the thermostat to open) and open the bleed screw on the pipe that leads through the bulk head to the heater matrix. Keep it open until all the bubbles have stopped escaping then close it and top up the expansion tank. This is make sure there are no air pockets left in the cylinder head