MK1 Leon Brake Switch Flashing Light (Again)

[djpettsey]

Hi All

Seat Leon SE TDI 130 2004 model

Apologies in this has already been logged, but i've trawled through the forum, and i cant find an exact solution for my issue.

Story goes :

Flashing GlowPlug light on dash, using VCDS lite, scan it, and shows the brake pedal switch.
I popped down and bought a new one from a local parts supplier, and he sold me the new Green one.

Thought nice easy fix at the weekend, weekend comes, pop out with me torx set, replace the switch, and i get no brake lights at all, and still flashing GP light on the dash. Put my black switch back in, Brake lights work again, but still flashing light.

So i take the Green one back, and say this isnt for my car, he checks and says 'yes it is' !, he gives me another to try.

I do this at their premises, put another green one in and still no brake lights......

so i get me money back, and jump online and order a new black variant, gets delivered, back out with the torx set and change it over, got brake lights again, but still have the dam flashing GP light

plug in vcds, try clearing the code, wont go !

read more posts and forums, see people changing bulbs, even if they work, and can get rid of this light........

so back to the suppliers, 2 new bulbs fitted, and still flashing light..........

checked the wiring, all seems good, plugged vcds in again, checked group 6 (if i remembered correctly) and it shows that when i press the brake pedal, it registers it.....

all 3 rear brake lights work fine, new switch fitted, strangely doesn't like the newer green switch...... bizarre, and still got this flashing light,

Dont know what to check next.............

1 point to add, is this car does have a towbar fitted, and looking at the electrics where they have tapped into, the have used the scotch connector blue thingys, so not sure if this would cause it..... thoughts ???

All help appreciated, doesn't effect the car driving wise, but when i come to sell it, doesn't look good, and mainly it Bl**dy just annoys me !

 

[mty12345]

Hi mate, sounds like a right nightmare. I think you're right about the towbar being the cause. Maybe there's a short circuit or water in the plug for the trailer by the towbar? If not then I'd try disconnecting the spur and see what happens. I expect the ecu expects to see a certain current or resistance and whatever they have done has made it think the brake light or switch have failed.

 

[Alexis27]

Did you buy a genuine VW switch?

 

[djpettsey]

To be fair no, it's a pattern make, my local vw wanted £35+ vat for it, do you think that's why ??

 

[djpettsey]

Weather is pooh outside at the moment, but I think it maybe worth testing by disconnecting the tow bar electrics to see mty

 

[mty12345]

It's possible, but i doubt it......... I've used eurocarparts/gsf switches before and they have been fine.

I think the towbar is more likely.

 

[mty12345]

Weather is the same here Was just deciding if i can face working in the snow.

 

[djpettsey]

This was an new switch off eBay, gsf and co just had the newer green which wouldn't at all....weird

 

[Alexis27]

Just thinking it's one variable to eliminate, especially if you're getting different results with different aftermarket versions.

I've never been able to get a non-VW coolant temp sensor to work properly in any VW based car we've owned.