I would check the codes. May have a code with the words "intermittent" in the description.

 

Did you check the oil level? A low oil level and quick turn can cause a momentary low oil pressure.

 

Coolant

Check your coolant level. I got the stop when my level was down.

T

 

Yes, it should have stored a code even though the light went off. Even a generic OBDII reader should retrieve the codes for you. Try someplace (like AutoZone) for a free scan. I hope it's something simple like Low Coolant.

 

Where did the coolant go (if it is low)?

Could be brake fluid, too.

 

The only thing I could think to check at the time was the oil; the level was good, and I only have about 1000 miles on my latest change.

Based on some research here, I also checked my brake fluid level and it's quite good. What are some other reasons this might come up, but not stay on? Does it leave a code to read?

Oil good, brake fluid good. Of course, those are the levels, could there be some other aspect not reflected by the levels?

Edit: just ran out (in the rain) and checked the coolant, it's fine too.

 

Hows your battery? I had the Stop message flash a few times right after startup. Couldn't figure it out. I had noticed a little slower cranking than usual. Shortly after the battery gave up. A replacement battery had much faster cranking and no more Stop messages.

 

Yer kidding, the car knows when the battery is going bad? I wish it had warned me the two times I've had to replace the battery.

This one was put in July 08. Haven't had any problems cranking.

BTW, it's a 2000 GLX variant with Tip. (we need sigs)

 

I don't think it warns when the battery is going bad, but if the battery is not supplying adequate voltage to run critical systems it puts out a warning.

If you haven't noticed any problems cranking and have a relatively fresh battery, probably not your issue. Best bet is the code reader to help narrow things down.

 

x2

 

Where is the coolant in the reservoir?

If it is below the seam, it'll do that. Nevermind the marks, you want the level above the seam.

 

Sharky, it looks sitting still like it's above the seam, but my driveway is not real level. I'll top it up and see how it goes.

 

OK, the message appeared again this morning, I had just dropped my kid off at school and was driving out of the school lot and it said ABS. I need to search, I saw some messages somewhere about it not necessarily being the ABS but a wiring malfunction or some such.

Ideas welcome.

 

OK, the message appeared again this morning, I had just dropped my kid off at school and was driving out of the school lot and it said ABS. I need to search, I saw some messages somewhere about it not necessarily being the ABS but a wiring malfunction or some such.

Most likely it was the reverse you were thinking of. A bad ABS module will cause the apparent malfunction of a lot of other things - tachometer, oil pressure warning, etc. It usually start with STOP, the buzzer, and brake and ABS lights. Intermittent at first, then gets more frequent. Scared the heck out of me...

 

Sounds like ABS module. Slam your brakes on and see if ABS kicks in.

 

x2 easiest on gravel.

 

Sounds like you may become friends with a place like http://modulemaster.com soon... bummer man! Could also be a bad ABS wheel speed sensor, though. Have you noticed your speedo needle jumping around/weird cruise control lately?

 

No, no cruise problems. If the ABS was going bad, wouldn't the ABS light stay on? I'll do the "ABS test" tomorrow.

 

I've had the same warning after a hard corner when the oil level was fine. I put it down to the oil sloshing over to one side of the block because once the corner was complete, the car is fine.. the oil level is fine. But when gravity pulls it hard in one direction, my guess is an oil sensor gets 'free' of oil and screams at you.

 

Wish I could help with advice - very intriguing episode unfolding.

This is an exception for me: posting solely to be remind myself to followup!

 

It may be that we simply don't have the necessary information because the warning goes away so quickly.

I submit the complete warning may well be "STOP! (Driving a Volkswagen)."

 

Do you have any means of (beg/borrow/bribe/beer) getting a complete vag-com scan? That may help narrow down the problem in short order. I initially suggested a generic OBDII scan, but that would only interrogate the ECM. With this problem, you'd be better off getting all the modules scanned for codes.

 

I'll have to check. I have a vag-com, it's a couple years old, but the problem is, it's on my half-dead laptop. (screen won't stay lit)

Tried the ABS test awhile ago (hard braking), maybe I didn't brake hard enough but I couldn't feel the ABS kick in. OTOH, you know how if you go over some rough road, or a road joint or bridge joint, with your foot on the brake and you can feel the ABS kick in? I did have that happen this evening.

 

If you get the ABS to work once (or twice, or three times), It doesn't mean you don't have an intermittent fault in that system. You know something odd is going on if you've seen the ABS dash indicator light up several times. However, an intermittent failure should log a trouble code.

If your vag-com cable is like mine, it can be used with any copy of the software. The cable itself authenticates the software.
If you have a cable will only work with the copy of software on your half dead laptop, and that laptop has a video output port

you could try plugging an external monitor into that port.
http://www.haverford.edu/audiovisual/techdocs/laptopchart.html
You would want to select "mirroring" (both built in and external displays show the same thing)

 

Yes, I was thinking about the external monitor thing, but I have no garage so I would be doing this outdoors. I can see carrying my new LCD monitor from my desktop outside for this. Yes, my older copy of VAG-COM is keyed to the computer, not the cable.

 

OK, sorry, still no VAG-COM codes, but further report and a question.

Yesterday, a couple of times I got lengthier and more insistent messages. First time, I got the STOP and Brake and ABS message, but when it went away it left the little A in a circled arrow light on. Later, after a restart, that was gone, but then when after driving awhile and the message came on, at the bottom of the screen it rotated

STOP - BRAKE FAULT - MANUAL (something, check manual?)

It continued that until I got where I was going and shut the car down. Today I had no problem, but obviously the problem is getting worse.

The question regards the ABS module. I visited http://www.modulemaster.com/en/Volkswagen/98-01_Passat_info.php to see how they say to take the module off to ship to them. But the Haynes very specifically says you can't remove the ABS electronic module without first removing the hydraulic module. (and tells you several times this can all be done only by VW techs, which I find pretty fucking useless for a car repair manual!)

So can I pull the module and drive the car OK? In another thread, someone said unplug the module to make it shut up, is that OK too? I've been driving a long time, since well before ABS.

 

You brake fluid is low. Check your rear break pads, when they are low more oil goes into cylinders and sensor in reservoir indicates low oil thats why that message comes up.

 

Based on some research here, I also checked my brake fluid level and it's quite good. What are some other reasons this might come up, but not stay on? Does it leave a code to read?

Brake fluid's tip top. I'll check the rear pads, but why would taht scream that my ABS is bad?

 

hm not sure, when that happened on mine i had same message as you STOP BRAKE FAULT CHECK MANUEL and it was because of rear break pads being worn.

 

We have a 2000 glx variant as well and the ABS module failed back in 2005 (just about this time of year, STOP ABS)... Followed the modulemasters procedure and sent it out and has been fine ever since. You can take the module off by going through the driver side wheel well, it is pretty easy to do. I called the guy first and mentioned PW and got a discount, he told me to do a procedure first to confirm the ABS module was bad before I sent it to them for repairs. You can drive the car without the module; you will not have ABS though but the brakes will function.

 

OK, this is all very helpful. My problem (well, one of many) is a very full schedule with, at the moment, almost no daylight free time. We're going out of town (in the truck) for the rest of the week, so the car will sit and stew while I work out the issues. Thanks.