# ABS and Breaks lights

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/abs-and-breaks-lights/40325>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** volkswagen, passat, abs\
**Created:** [December 4, 2009, 1:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/abs-and-breaks-lights/40325 "2009-12-04T01:25:14Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Alexnboo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d07c76/32.png) [@Alexnboo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Alexnboo)\
**Post date:** [December 4, 2009, 1:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/abs-and-breaks-lights/40325/1 "2009-12-04T01:25:14Z")

</div>

I have a 1999 VW Passat station wagon. The ABS breaks are disconnected so thier light is on (stationary). I also have the breaks light on (intermittent). Is this because of the ABS situation or is there a problem with the regular breaks?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [December 4, 2009, 1:34am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/abs-and-breaks-lights/40325/2 "2009-12-04T01:34:05Z")

</div>

The ABS is a secondary system to the primary brake system. If the brake warning light is now coming on it means there’s a problem with the primary (regular) brake system and should be checked out.

Tester

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\
**Post date:** [December 4, 2009, 11:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/abs-and-breaks-lights/40325/3 "2009-12-04T11:06:20Z")

</div>

Why is the ABS disconnected?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![andrew\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@andrew\_j](https://community.cartalk.com/u/andrew_j)\
**Post date:** [December 4, 2009, 3:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/abs-and-breaks-lights/40325/4 "2009-12-04T15:50:19Z")

</div>

There is a one of two errors with your regular brakes.

1. Improper Fluid level according to sensor in brake resorvoir(check it)
2. Parking brake is on or sensor out of adjustment(jiggle parking brake when light comes on to see if you can have it go out).